Grilled Cheese and Bean Heroes
Molletes
Serves 4 to 6 Preparation Time: 5 minutes Cooking Time: 10 minutes Can be assembled up to 2 hours in advance and kept covered at room temperature
The reason you will always find refried beans, melty cheese, and crusty bread in my kitchen is molletes. We eat them anytime, day or night, just as we did in my childhood home. My eldest likes crisp bacon or crumbled fried chorizo on top. My youngest wants avocado and sauce from chipotles in adobo on top, and my middle one likes them, just as I do, in their purest form: crusty bread slathered with a thick layer of refried beans and a generous amount of shredded cheese. Pop them in the oven to melt the cheese for your tastiest quick meal. Eat them open-faced. Most people like them topped with pico de gallo.
- 4 teleras, bolillos, Portuguese buns, or petite baguettes, or 1 large baguette cut into 4 pieces
- 2 cups refried beans, homemade or store-bought
- 2 cups shredded Manchego, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or mild cheddar cheese (about 8 ounces)
- Traditional Tomato Pico de Gallo or other salsa of your choice
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Slice the bread or rolls lengthwise in half. Spread each piece with 3 generous tablespoons refried beans and top with 3 generous tablespoons cheese and place on a baking sheet. If you want to add more toppings (see the headnote), sprinkle them on top of the cheese.
- Bake the molletes until the cheese has melted and the edges of the bread are nicely toasted, 8 to 10 minutes. Serve hot, topped with the salsa or with it on the side.