Virtually every tortería serves this torta, split hot dogs griddled and tucked inside bread. Instead of ketchup and relish, you dress your dog with all the typical torta condiments. Good old yellow American cheese provides another melty flavor and texture. It's not diet food, that's for sure, but it sure is delicious.

　　

Ingredients

Makes 4

　　About 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

　　4 large rolls, preferably teleras, Portuguese, kaiser, or ciabatta, split

　　1/2 cup Refried Black Beans, homemade or canned

　　8 thin slices yellow American cheese

　　Scant 1/4 cup Mexican crema or crème fraîche

　　4 teaspoons Dijon or yellow mustard

　　6 fully-cooked hot dogs (2 ounces each), halved lengthwise

　　

Step 1

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Spread the butter evenly over the cut sides of the rolls. Cook the rolls, buttered sides down, in the skillet until they are light golden brown and crisp, but still soft in the middle, a minute or two.

　　

Step 2

Spread a layer of beans (a tablespoon or two) over the bottom half of each roll, then put a slice of cheese on the roll bottoms. Spread the crema and mustard over the roll tops and add the remaining cheese.

　　

Step 3

Cook the hot dogs, cut side down, in the same pan until they're golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Set the bun bottoms, cheese side down, on top of the hot dogs. Cook for a minute more, so the cheese has a chance to melt.

　　

Step 4

Flip the bun bottoms and the hot dogs together onto a cutting board. Top with SLICED CANNED PICKLED JALAPEÑOS, THINLY SLICED WHITE ONIONS, slices of RIPE MEXICAN HASS AVOCADO, and a pinch of salt. Cover with the roll tops and press firmly but gently.

　　Reprinted with permission from Tacos, Tortas, and Tamales by Roberto Santibañez with JJ Goode, © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.