Today I have a sandwich recipe for you for Cinco de Mayo. I had never tried a Torta Ahogada sandwich before but according to a great new sandwich cookbook, 400 Best Sandwich Recipes, ”this popular sandwich from Mexico (usually in Guadalajar) is also called “Drowned Beef.” It is submerged partially or totally in a spicy sauce. This is a less spicy version made with tomato sauce, but it has a fabulous kick.” I can see why it’s such a popular sandwich. It really kicks a roast beef sandwich up a notch.
I was so happy to receive a copy of this new cookbook to review. My sweet friend, Alison Lewis, who I met while we were contestents in the I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter Bakeoff last November is the author. This is Alison’s first cookbook but she’s been working in the food industry for a long while. She blogs at Ingredients, Inc. where she creates healthy, family-friendly recipes that are easy to prepare.
The cookbook is arranged by type of sandwich. So it’s really convenient to locate a recipe for the type of sandwich you’re craving. It has a breakfast sandwich section, a burgers, a wraps, a light and healthy sandwich section and more. One of my favorite sections is the condiments sections. A great condiment can make an okay sandwich great. I’m especially looking forward to trying the Chipotle Aioli next time I make a burger.
The Torta Ahogada recipe uses deli roast beef so this delicious, spicy sandwich comes together quickly. It’s a Sloppy Joe kind of messy sandwich, so make sure you have some napkins handy!
Ingredients
- 1 10 oz can chopped tomatoes with green chiles (Rotel)
- 1 15 oz. can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons chopped chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 cup thinly slice onion (I diced mine)
- 1 teaspoon jalapeno, seeded and diced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 4 Bolillo rolls or crusty rolls, split and toasted (I forgot to toast the rolls)
- 1 lb. deli roast beef, cut into strips (I warmed the beef)
- 1 cup refried beans, warmed, optional (I omitted)
- 2 avocados, thinly sliced
Directions
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine tomatoes, tomato sauce and chipotles. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes.
- In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Saute onion, garlic and jalapeno for 5 minutes or until tender. Add onion mixture to tomato sauce mixture, stirring well, and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in cilantro.
- Place rolls on a work surface. Arrange roast beef equally on bottom halves of rolls. Top with beans, if using, tomato sauce and avocado slices. Cover with top halves of rolls. Serve immediately.
Notes
slightly adapted from 400 Best Sandwich Recipes
There have been lots of great Cinco de Mayo recipes posted this week. Here are a few I’m hoping to try:
Strawberry Mango Salsa, Two Peas and Their Pod
Grilled Churros with Nutella Sauce, Panini Happy
Avocado, Tomato & Cotija Cheese Salad Recipe, Cookin’ Canuck
And some of my favorites:
Stacked Green Chile and Chicken Enchiladas, Barbara Bakes
Carne Asada Tacos, Barbara Bakes
Cinnamon Tortilla Chips, Sophistimom
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I love to bake, especially cookies, cakes, and pies. I’ll post my adventures in the kitchen, my favorite new recipes, as well as our family favorites.
This looks delicious! I love the combination of flavors in it, especially the chipotle chiles in adobo sauce.
Me too! A wonderful play on each of the flavours you’ve got going on there Barbara, love it.
This awesome sandwich recipe is coming home with me ♥
I love homemade sandwiches. Those looks so scrumptious. A great combination of ingredients.
Cheers,
Rosa
I thought it was a cake at first when I saw Torta but this looks just as delicious. I love sandwiches-the Sandwich Day on 30 Rock was one of my favourite episodes
xxx
Barbara, this sandwich looks awesome. I love to make my own sandwiches at home, that way you can get those perfect slices of meat and avocado on it!
This looks really good. It’s nice to have something different in a sandwich for a change. It’s so easy to get in a rut.
I love all the flavors and textures on this sandwich, especially the addition of avocado! Delicious!
This looks and sounds like a great sandwich, one we need to try. Love the idea of the spicy sauce and avocado. I’m always ready to try something new (to me).
I’ll have to look for this cookbook too.
mmm, sounds wonderful, it looks like a party on a plate!
I love Mexican food! Great combination of ingredients in one sandwich! I’m sure it tastes delicious! Thanks for the recipe.
Cheers,
I wish I could take a bite out of that sandwich this VERY minute
Thank you so much Barbara for featuring this recipe and my cookbook. I am so glad to have met you last November, and I was so excited to see you in Park City. I appreciate you sharing my book and this recipe. I loved this sandwich!
Alison’s new book is wonderful and I can’t wait to try this recipe from it.
Your sandwich looks awesome! Thanks for the recipe!
Now this is a sandwich! What a great combination of ingredients. I especially love the avocado and the bread looks wonderful as well.
I’m going to have to pick me up a copy of that book! This looks delicious!
I’ve never heard of this but I really like the sound of it even if the name is a bit strange!
What a terrific sandwich! Perfect for meatlovers. Good on Allison for publishing her first book.
I’ve been reading about this sandwich book, Barbara. It sounds like a gem we should all have. Your torta looks marvelous, comes together easily and the flavors sound wonderful!
Mmm…an awesome sandwich that I would love to try
This sounds like one mean sandwich indeed.
I hope your Mother’s Day was good my friend!
The sandwich looks beautiful
, Miriam@Meatless Meals For Meat Eaters
I love tortas!
Sounds so yummy, and a meal in itself. I love a good, hearty sandwich!
Yum! Tortas are very popular in my neck of the woods.
Mimi
There is a little hole in the wall restaurant in my neck of the woods run by an amazing cook who makes the best tortas….
I’ll have to try this one…
I have never had a sandwich like this either, but I must try it. Love Alison & this book!
These look fabulous! I bet my husband would love them!
Oh my gosh, I love this sandwich! I’m definitely going to have to pick up a copy of the book-it’s so easy to get stuck in rut!
I can’t wait to try this one out!! I really like beans but think I will omit them too. I bet my husband likes this recipe