The Mexican Torta Is A Perfect Sandwich

    And you should use it as a template for all sandwiches from here on out.

    erinmcdowell
    by erinmcdowell

    BuzzFeed Contributor

    Ahh, yes. The torta.

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    To Mexico, it's a kind of sandwich. And to me, it's one of the most perfect eats of all time.

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    Equal parts simple to make and versatile to eat, it's the ideal blank canvas for your sandwich dreams.

    Here's what you need to make one:

    1. Bread

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    Tortas are traditionally made on rolls — like telera, bolillo or birote. The roll should have a nice crust, but not be overly crisp.

    2. Spreads and sauces

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    This could be anything and everything you want in the vein of Mexican food. Refried beans, salsa, and avocado make up my usual trifecta. (Yes, I know avocado is not a sauce. No, I'm not making a torta ~without~ the guardian of all Mexican food.)

    3. Protein

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    This is an easy way to use up leftovers from another meal. Milanesa (a breaded, thin cut of meat), sausage, scrambled eggs, ham, and bacon are all good options. Grilled shrimp and braised chicken work too.

    4. Cheese

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    Cheese holds everything together. Oaxaca cheese, goat cheese, cotija, queso fresco, pork cheese, and nacho cheese sauce will all keep your torta from collapsing. The cheesier, the better.

    5. Even more toppings

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    The final topping of a great torta is all your favorite veggies. Grilled anything goes. As does pickled anything — like tangy onions or jalapeños en escabeche. And a squeeze of lime.

    Then, eat!

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    This is YOUR TIME.

    Then NAP.

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    Zzz.

    Catherine O'Donnell contributed to this post. For more, visit Food52.