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Molletes with Pico de Gallo
Mexican molletes are not unlike Italian bruschetti, but the bread is topped with mashed beans and cheese, then toasted until the cheese is melted and browned. They make a great breakfast, light lunch or midday snack. We had molletes in Oaxaca, Mexico, where the bread of choice typically is soft-crumbed, thin-crusted rolls called bolillos that are split open before they’re topped. For our version, we opted for ½-inch-thick slices of supermarket bakery bread with a soft crumb; look for a loaf that measures about 10 by 5 inches and weighs about 1 pound. Pico de gallo (fresh tomato salsa) adds color and fresh flavor to the molletes, so we consider it a necessary embellishment; sliced avocado and pickled jalapeños are delicious but optional.
4
Servings
Don't walk away from the bread as it broils. Broilers vary in heat output, so keep a close eye on the slices to make sure they don't scorch.
15 minutes
Ingredients
-
8
½-inch-thick slices crusty bread
-
¼
cup extra-virgin olive oil
Directions
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01Heat the broiler with a rack about 6 inches from the element. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and mist with cooking spray. Arrange the bread in a single layer on the baking sheet and brush the tops with the oil. Season with salt and pepper. Season with salt and pepper. Broil until the bread is golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Flip each slice and broil until the second sides are golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the broiler.
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I suppose these are, essentially, the origin of very traditional nachos, which I had as a kid growing up in the '60s and early '70s in north Texas. The chips are smeared with a bit of refritos, and topped with cheese and a jalapeño slice, then broiled only until the cheese melted. In Fort Worth Joe T. Garcia's uses a whole tostada for their nachos (serving one for each diner), but other places, like the Original (a standby in mid-century Fort Worth) used basic tortilla chips.