Hello friends of Paulina Cocina! Today we have a very well-known and super special recipe, especially for nostalgic fans of El Chavo del 8: Ham Torta . This famous torta, so popular thanks to the series, is a great alternative to eat anytime when hunger strikes.
This time we share information about this Mexican delicacy , the names it receives in different regions and countries, some of its history and its connection with El Chavo , the ingredients it usually contains and others to personalize it, as well as some tips for its preparation.
At the end of the article, we've provided a delicious recipe for ham and cheese cake , with detailed ingredients and step-by-step instructions so you can make it at home and feel like you're in Chavo's lovely neighborhood for a while!
Content table
About the ham cake
The ham sandwich is a delicious sandwich very popular in Mexican cuisine. This "torta ," as it's called in Mexico , is a combination of fluffy bread , slices of ham , and other tasty and fresh ingredients. It's a perfect option to satisfy cravings and enjoy on any occasion.
The ham sandwich stands out for several characteristics that make it unique and delicious. First, its bread, which comes in various varieties, such as bolillo or telera , breads commonly eaten in Mexico, and is fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside. This gives it an ideal texture to absorb the flavors of the ingredients it contains.
The filling of this torta is another key element. The ham, whether pork or turkey , is cut into slices, which are distributed evenly throughout the torta. Additionally, ingredients such as cheese, tomato, lettuce, avocado, and various sauces can be added to give it more consistency and freshness.
Mexican ham cake: its names and origin
The ham sandwich goes by different names and variations in different places. In Mexico, it's commonly called "torta de jamón" or simply "torta," but in some regions, it's also known as " lonche de jamón ." In other Spanish-speaking countries, it's commonly called " sandwich de jamón ."
Tortillas, this popular Mexican snack, are believed to have originated in the late 19th century, when bread was incorporated tortillas
Like much of Mexico's culinary tradition, this sandwich incorporates local ingredients and others brought by the Spanish during the colonial era.
Ham sandwiches are currently very popular in Mexico and can be found in many restaurants, markets, and fast food restaurants. It's also common to find them at street stalls and food trucks, where creative variations are often offered.
Chavo's ham cake
The ham sandwich gained widespread popularity thanks to its appearance on the Mexican television show "El Chavo del 8." In several episodes, the character El Chavo expressed his craving for this delicious sandwich, and when he managed to eat it, he did so with such gusto that it whetted the appetites of many viewers.
The popularity of this sandwich transcended the screen and became a culinary staple in Mexico. The combination of flavors and the way Chavo enjoyed his ham sandwich left a lasting impression on the collective memory.
Chavo's version of the ham sandwich is one of the simplest, featuring basic ingredients like cooked ham, tomato, and lettuce, on a bolillo or telera-style bread. While this is one of the most traditional ways to eat them, there are variations and additions that add more flavor and texture to this sandwich.
Ham Cake Ingredients: Traditional Ingredients and Custom Options
The traditional ham sandwich recipe includes bread, ham, homemade mayonnaise , and a few vegetables like tomato, lettuce, and avocado. However, versatility allows you to add and modify ingredients to suit your personal tastes.
- Cheese: Cheese is a perfect addition to this sandwich. You can use Manchego, Oaxaca, or mozzarella , and melt it lightly for extra creaminess.
- Sauces: Different types of sauces can be included, such as chipotle sauce , or green sauce to generate more moisture.
- Whole Wheat Bread: For a lighter, fiber-rich ham sandwich, you can substitute traditional bread for whole wheat bread.
- Additional vegetables: Onion, grated carrots, or pickled gherkins are some vegetable alternatives that can be added to the ham sandwich.
4 Tips for Making a Ham and Cheese Pie
- Choose fresh, high-quality bread. The bread's texture and flavor are crucial to the final result. French bread, baguette, bolillo, or telera are the traditional ones.
- Make sure the cooked ham is juicy and cut into slices or not too thinly, so that the intensity of its flavor can be felt.
- Choose a cheese that melts easily when heated to provide moisture and creaminess to the cake.
- mustard sauce , chipotle mayonnaise, or avocado sauce.
- EXTRA TIP: For a more intense flavor, you can warm the cake in a preheated oven for a few minutes. This will help melt the cheese and bring out the flavors.
Mexican Ham and Cheese Torta Recipe
Yields : 3 servings
Preparation time : 10 minutes (if baked, add 10 minutes)
Ingredients
- 3 individual loaves of bread, bolillo, telera, or sliced French bread
- 200 grams of sliced ham
- 100 grams of sliced mozzarella cheese
- 100 grams of panela cheese (can be replaced with fresh cheese)
- 1 large tomato, sliced
- 1 avocado, cut
- 1 thinly sliced onion
- ½ sliced cucumber
- Mayonnaise to taste
- Mustard to taste
- Fresh lettuce leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
How to make Mexican ham cake step by step
- Cut the bread in half horizontally and place it face down on a baking sheet in an oven preheated to 180°C. Toast lightly for a few minutes. Remove and spread mayonnaise and mustard on both halves.
- Place a layer of lettuce leaves, then a layer of mozzarella cheese and on top a generous layer of ham.
- Add the sliced tomatoes, avocado, onion, panela cheese, and cucumbers. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Close the sandwich with the other half of the bread and press down to compact the ingredients.
- Optionally, you can wrap the cake in aluminum foil and bake for 10 minutes to melt the cheese and intensify the flavors.
