Molletes
My favorite thing about molletes is that they’re an open-faced blank canvas, as simple as they are flexible. This version has all the essentials, and makes for a hearty on-the-go breakfast, but can easily be dressed up to become the star of a fabulous brunch—add chorizo or bacon for a meatier variation, or summer squash blossoms or roasted poblanos for a lighter take. —Rosalyn Vera, Cocina Luchadoras, Baltimore, MD
Ingredients
REFRIED BEANS:
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large onions chopped
- 2 15.5- oz. cans pinto beans rinsed
- 1 bay leaf
- Kosher salt
PICO DE GALLO:
- 1 medium tomato halved crosswise, seeds removed, chopped
- ½ small red onion chopped
- 2 Tbsp. chopped cilantro
- 1 Tbsp. chopped seeded jalapeño
- Juice of ½ lime
- Kosher salt
EGGS AND ASSEMBLY:
- 4 Tbsp. salted butter room temperature
- 2 telera rolls bolillos, birotes, or other crusty rolls, halved lengthwise
- 1 lb. Oaxaca cheese pulled into strings, or Monterey Jack, coarsely grated
- 4 large eggs fried
- 1 avocado thinly sliced
- ⅓ cup pickled or sliced red onion
- Hot sauce for serving
Instructions
REFRIED BEANS:
- Heat oil in a medium Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring, until just beginning to turn golden brown, 10–14 minutes. Stir in beans and add bay leaf. Cook, stirring occasionally, until beans begin to soften and fall apart, 9–11 minutes. Season beans with salt and remove from heat. Remove and discard bay leaf. Mash beans with a potato masher until smooth and spreadable.
- Do Ahead: Beans can be made 3 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill.
PICO DE GALLO:
- Toss tomato, red onion, cilantro, jalapeño, and lime juice in a small bowl to combine; season with salt.
EGGS AND ASSEMBLY:
- Heat broiler. Generously butter cut sides of rolls and place, buttered side up, on a rimmed baking sheet. Broil until butter is melted, about 1 minute. Remove from broiler; spread ⅓ cup refried beans over cut side of each roll half and arrange cheese down center. Broil until cheese is melted and beginning to brown, about 2 minutes.
- Top each mollete with a fried egg, then pico de gallo, avocado, and pickled onion. Serve with hot sauce.
Video
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