Refried Bean and Cheese Melts

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Your follow-up question to "What is a mollete?" is likely "Where have you been my entire life?"

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Photo: Jennifer Causey
Hands On Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
15 mins
Yield:
4 serves

Meet the humble mollete, Mexico's ultra-comforting and cheesy open-faced sandwich. Making one is simple: Rub a halved baguette with garlic and then slather with butter, refried beans, and sharp Manchego cheese. Toast this up in the broiler and that is literally it! A delicious, easy breakfast, lunch, or dinner in just ten minutes. Serve with fresh salsa like pico de gallo (to cut through the richness) and a dressed green salad on the side, or turn these into brunch with fried eggs, sliced avocado, and hot sauce.

Ingredients

  • 2 demi-baguettes or large hoagie rolls, split

  • 1 clove garlic, halved

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

  • 1 15.4-oz can refried beans, warmed

  • 6 ounces Manchego cheese, grated (about 1.75 cups)

  • Pico de gallo, for serving

  • Dressed salad greens, for serving

Directions

  1. Preheat broiler with the rack 6 inches from heat. Arrange bread halves, cut sides up, on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.

  2. Broil until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. (Watch carefully so bread doesn't burn.) Remove from oven.

  3. Rub cut sides of bread with cut sides of garlic halves and then discard the garlic. Spread bread with butter, followed by beans, and then top with cheese.

  4. Return to the oven and broil until cheese is bubbly and golden, about 3 minutes. Cut bread pieces in half on an angle and serve with pico de gallo and greens.

Chef's Notes

Comfort food at its best, and ready in 15 minutes!

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