{"id":"tortas_ahogadas_5cbea783d1","slug":"tortas-ahogadas","title":"Tortas Ahogadas","description":"A classic street food staple from Guadalajara, Mexico, featuring crusty rolls stuffed with savory pork carnitas and 'drowned' in a vibrant, spicy tomato sauce.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":30,"cookMinutes":120,"totalMinutes":150,"activeMinutes":45},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"1 kg pork shoulder, cut into chunks","name":"Pork Shoulder","quantity":1,"unit":"kg","usQuantity":2.2,"usUnit":"lb","form":"chunks","notes":"shoulder or butt","group":"Carnitas","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"200g lard","name":"Lard","quantity":200,"unit":"g","usQuantity":7.1,"usUnit":"oz","form":"","notes":"can substitute with vegetable oil","group":"Carnitas","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"500ml water","name":"Water","quantity":500,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"cup","form":"","notes":"","group":"Carnitas","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"10g salt","name":"Salt","quantity":10,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"","notes":"kosher or sea salt","group":"Carnitas","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"4 birote rolls or crusty baguettes","name":"Baguette","quantity":4,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":4,"usUnit":"piece","form":"rolls","notes":"Birote salado preferred","group":"Assembly","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"500g Roma tomatoes","name":"Tomato","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.1,"usUnit":"lb","form":"","notes":"red and ripe","group":"Mild Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"3 garlic cloves","name":"Garlic","quantity":3,"unit":"clove","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"clove","form":"peeled","notes":"","group":"Mild Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"1 white onion","name":"Onion","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"halved","notes":"medium size","group":"Mild Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"20g dried chile de árbol","name":"Chile de Arbol","quantity":20,"unit":"g","usQuantity":0.7,"usUnit":"oz","form":"dried","notes":"stems removed","group":"Spicy Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"250g refried beans","name":"Refried Beans","quantity":250,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"cup","form":"mashed","notes":"warmed","group":"Assembly","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-11","original":"1 red onion, thinly sliced","name":"Red Onion","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"thinly sliced","notes":"pickled in lime juice if preferred","group":"Assembly","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-12","original":"2 limes, cut into wedges","name":"Lime","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"wedges","notes":"for serving","group":"Assembly","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"In a heavy pot or cazo, combine the pork chunks, lard, water, and salt. Cook over medium-low heat for about 1.5 to 2 hours until the water has evaporated and the pork is frying in its own lard. The meat should be tender and golden brown. Shred the pork once cooked.","group":"Carnitas Preparation","title":"Combine the pork chunks, lard, water, and salt","timerMinutes":120,"sourceTitle":"Carnitas Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"To make the mild sauce, boil the Roma tomatoes, garlic, and white onion in water until soft. Blend the vegetables with a splash of the cooking water and salt to taste. Simmer the blended sauce in a saucepan for 10 minutes. This is the sauce you will use to 'drown' the tortas.","group":"Sauce Preparation","title":"To make the mild sauce","timerMinutes":20,"sourceTitle":"Sauce Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"For the spicy sauce, toast the dried chile de árbol in a skillet until fragrant but not burnt. Boil the toasted chiles in a small amount of water until soft, then blend with a little water and a pinch of salt until very smooth. Be careful as this sauce is extremely hot.","group":"Sauce Preparation","title":"For the spicy sauce","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Sauce Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Slice the bread rolls lengthwise, leaving one side attached. Spread a generous layer of warm refried beans on the bottom half, then stuff with a heap of shredded pork carnitas.","group":"Assembly","title":"Slice the bread rolls lengthwise, leaving one side attached","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Place the assembled sandwich in a deep plate or bowl. Pour the mild tomato sauce over the entire sandwich until it is partially submerged (drowned). Top with sliced red onions and add the spicy chili sauce according to your heat preference. Serve immediately with lime wedges.","group":"Assembly","title":"Place the assembled sandwich","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"}],"notes":"Authentic Tortas Ahogadas use 'birote salado', a sourdough-like roll with a thick crust that stays firm when soaked. If unavailable, use a very crusty French baguette or sourdough roll.","cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Mexican"]},"course":["main"],"cookingMethod":["boil","fry","simmer"],"equipment":["heavy pot","blender","saucepan","skillet"],"diet":[],"allergens":["wheat","gluten"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":4,"unit":"piece","note":"4 full sandwiches"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The carnitas and both sauces can be made up to 2 days in advance. Reheat the pork and sauces separately before assembling."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store leftover meat and sauces in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. Do not store assembled sandwiches as they will become mushy.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat the carnitas in a skillet to regain crispness."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Ftortas_ahogadas_5cbea783d1%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=c0cca1df-bcaa-4b4f-abf1-1b67d9c0a9fa","imageAlt":"Tortas Ahogadas — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["mexican","spicy","sandwich","pork","street-food","comfort-food"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Tortas Ahogadas","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-03T23:31:25.891Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-03T23:31:25.891Z","related":[{"id":"acai_na_tigela_138fbec4aa","slug":"acai-na-tigela","title":"Açaí na Tigela","description":"A refreshing and energizing Brazilian breakfast staple made from frozen açaí palm fruit, blended into a thick smoothie-like consistency and topped with granola and fresh fruit.","serves":1,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":10,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Brazilian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","dairy_free","high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Facai_na_tigela_138fbec4aa%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=bcea20c0-f124-4011-87e9-4fdfe51cca58","imageAlt":"Açaí na Tigela — recipe cover","tags":["acai","smoothie bowl","healthy","brazilian","fruit","superfood"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":6,"stepCount":4},{"id":"baleada_9f93ff550d","slug":"baleada","title":"Baleada","description":"A beloved Honduran classic featuring thick, fluffy flour tortillas filled with creamy refried beans, salty cheese, and rich crema. This traditional breakfast is hearty, comforting, and quintessentially Latin American.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Honduran"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fbaleada_9f93ff550d%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=0ab37045-c4de-4989-88b4-76f3f3ea5d43","imageAlt":"Baleada — recipe cover","tags":["baleada","honduran","beans","breakfast","tortilla","vegetarian"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":6},{"id":"cachapa_2f3970e968","slug":"cachapa-venezuelan-sweet-corn-pancakes","title":"Cachapa (Venezuelan Sweet Corn Pancakes)","description":"Authentic Venezuelan corn pancakes made with fresh corn, sugar, and salt, traditionally served folded over a thick slice of salty white cheese.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"Latin American","specific":["Venezuelan"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fcachapa_2f3970e968%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=7eab7bcc-59ea-4cd6-baf5-4fba1fe65fdf","imageAlt":"Cachapa (Venezuelan Sweet Corn Pancakes) — recipe cover","tags":["corn","cheese","sweet-savory","traditional","pancakes"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":8,"stepCount":6}]}