Torta Ahogada – 400 Best Sandwich Recipes
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!
Torta Ahogada (Drowned Beef Sandwich)
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
Instructions
- 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
Mmm…an awesome sandwich that I would love to try 🙂
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!
What a terrific sandwich! Perfect for meatlovers. Good on Allison for publishing her first book.
I’ve never heard of this but I really like the sound of it even if the name is a bit strange!
I’m going to have to pick me up a copy of that book! This looks delicious!
Now this is a sandwich! What a great combination of ingredients. I especially love the avocado and the bread looks wonderful as well.
Your sandwich looks awesome! Thanks for the recipe!
Alison’s new book is wonderful and I can’t wait to try this recipe from it.
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!
I wish I could take a bite out of that sandwich this VERY minute 🙂
I love Mexican food! Great combination of ingredients in one sandwich! I’m sure it tastes delicious! Thanks for the recipe.
Cheers,
mmm, sounds wonderful, it looks like a party on a plate!
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.
I love all the flavors and textures on this sandwich, especially the addition of avocado! Delicious!
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.
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! 😀
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
I love homemade sandwiches. Those looks so scrumptious. A great combination of ingredients.
Cheers,
Rosa
This awesome sandwich recipe is coming home with me ♥
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.