TORTA So Yummy

TortaPhoto byJustina Price

This is not a grilled cheese, and it's not filled with roast beef or turkey, but it's delicious, filling, and definitely a sandwich to remember! You'll be thinking about when you can make the next one and if it will be as great or better than the first.

The ingredients are simple, inexpensive, and easy to keep around. I love this sandwich on ciabatta but so many different breads would do the trick.

Let's start with the jalapenos. I pick larger jalapenos that are often a little sweeter and a little less hot. Use gloves if you'd like to avoid burning your skin, it's easy to do dealing with peppers. My method is to cut off the stem, take out the seeds and veins, the hottest parts, and slice the jalapeno as you like, I like the rounds, but long slices work well for the sandwich.

JalapenosPhoto byJustina Price

Sliced JalapenosPhoto byJustina Price

In a small skillet heat a few tablespoons of olive oil and fry the slices of jalapenos for a few minutes until they're soft. This will take away some of the heat and keep the spicey flavor and make the jalapenos tender. When they are fired to the desired texture place them on a paper towel to cool.

Next, you'll need a few slices of tomatoes, most any type of tomato will do, my favorite is grape tomatoes or Roma tomatoes, these seem to consistently have the most flavor. I slice grape tomatoes in half and add a generous amount to the sandwich.

TortaPhoto byJustina Price

Queso fresco has become one of my favorite cheeses, it is a wonderful soft fresh cheese that is very versatile and a great addition to just about any recipe. Queso fresco is the main ingredient in this sandwich. Slice it thick or add a couple of thin slices, but make sure the sandwich is filled with queso fresco.

Queso FrescoPhoto byJustina Price

Avocado makes the sandwich complete. Try to find a firm, but ripe avocado that can be sliced easily and hold up but provide rich flavor.

Avocado slices on torta.Photo byJustina Price

Choose a mayonnaise that will blend well with the other flavors. A plain real mayonnaise is what I like the best. Jalapenos and real mayonnaise are a match made in heaven!

Now for the bread. I chose a nice ciabatta bun that I could slice in half and easily toast. Slather the inside of the bun with real butter and toast in a skillet over low heat until the bread is slightly brown. When the bread is nice and toasted build the sandwich.

Bread, queso fresco, jalapeno, avocado, tomatoes, top with the second slice of bread with mayonnaise and take a bite.

Torta finished and ready for a bite.Photo byJustina Price

I usually make a couple at a time; I'm always looking forward to the next bite of this delicious torta sandwich.