Next to chilaquiles, nothing gets us going in the morning (or cures a hangover) like this vegetarian Mexican breakfast sandwich. A fried egg with a gloriously runny yolk mingles with refried beans, red chile gravy, avocado, tomato, and Monterey Jack cheese for one of the most indulgently stimulating starts to the day we know. Put it over the top with one of our Micheladas.

What to buy: Traditional tortas are made with either crusty rolls called bolillos or softer buns called teleras, available in markets with a good selection of Latin American foods. We found that brioche or soft sandwich buns make fine substitutes.

  • Yield: 4 sandwiches
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Total: 25 mins 
  • Active: 20 mins

Ingredients (9)

  • 1 cup good-quality refried beans
  • 1/2 to 3/4 cup chile gravy or good-quality enchilada sauce
  • 4 large or extra-large eggs
  • 4 Mexican torta rolls or bolillo rolls, split and toasted
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1 or 2 ripe red tomatoes, sliced
  • Handful fresh cilantro leaves, torn
  • 2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
  • 1 large avocado, pitted, peeled, and sliced

Instructions

  1. In a small saucepan, stir together the refried beans and a few tablespoons of the gravy. Stir until warm. In a frying pan, fry the eggs until done to your liking (I usually go for over medium so they’re slightly drippy).
  2. To assemble the sandwiches, spread the bean mixture evenly over the bottom halves of the rolls. Top with the cheese (melt the cheese under the broiler if you like), then the tomato slices, then an egg. Sauce it up with the remaining chile gravy. Sprinkle with some cilantro and the shredded lettuce. Spread the avocado slices evenly on the top halves of the rolls. Close the sandwiches, pressing down to compress them.
  3. Serve as-is or toast in a panini press or in a hot oven for a few minutes if you like.