Traditional Mexican Mollete

EVENT: SHHH COOKING SECRETLY
THEME: MEXICAN FOOD
RECIPE: MEXICAN MOLLETE
What is Mexican Mollete?
Before we go into any other details let’s get the explanation of what is a Mexican Mollete out of the way. Basically, we all know that Mexico was colonized by the Spanish. So technically the word Mollete is Spanish word for a type of bread. However, in the Mexican Cuisine its an open faced sandwich. As we all know that the Spanish do not pronounce ‘LL’ as we do in ball. Double LL becomes Y. Therefore Mollete is pronounced as Mo – ya -te.
Traditional Mexican Cuisine
Authentic Mexican Cuisine followed by the Mayan Indians was healthy and nutritious as they believed in living off the land. Using naturally found ingredients like beans, corn, peppers, some fruits like avocado, guavas, mangoes, custard apples, peppers, tomatoes and chocolate. Commonly, meat from chicken, duck and turkey was used. Also cacti flowers and pads(stems) too are a part of the traditional cuisine. Tortilla (tor -ti-ya) was back then and still is the most common flatbread used.
Mexican Cuisine as we know it today
In reality, the Mexican Food or Cuisine as we know it today is a multicultural blend of Native American, European, African, and Caribbean influences. Animals bred for food like cattle, sheep, pigs, spices, confectionery goods (dulce), cheese were brought to Mexico from Europe. Rice was introduced from Asia and plantains from the Caribbean. The extra yellow cheese loaded, canned vegetables, wheat flour, nachos laden dishes, is actually part of Tex Mex Cuisine. With International influence in all world cuisines, there is a fine line between Mexican and Mex Tex food.
A bit about the group:
Members of this group give their partners two secret ingredients according to the theme decided and prepare a dish. Once the dish is ready we add the photo only and other members try and guess the secret ingredients. Towards the end of the month the secret is revealed when we share the recipe link. This month’s theme Mexican Cuisine was suggested by Narmadha who blogs at Nams Corner. Narmadha’s blog has both Indian and International dishes which are easy to follow and fun to make.Check out her kids party ideas.
My Partners
As I mentioned above, this group is all about partners. Again we were an odd number of participants so for this theme my partners are Priya VJ and Sasmita.
Priya blogs at Sweet Spicy Tasty. If you are looking for Jain recipes then you’ve got to check out Priya’s blog. I’ve bookmarked her Gasgasse Payasa (Khus Khus Kheer) to try out as I’m a big fan of anything that has poppy seeds and coconut in it. Priya my main partner, gave me corn and tomatoes to include in my dish and I gave her paprika and beans. With those two ingredients Priya made delish Mexican Bean Rice.
Sasmita blogs at First Timer Cook. If you look at her recipes and what she makes from traditional Odia food to desserts, you will definitely not think of her as a first timer cook…she is an experienced cook. I don’t get Pointed Gourd here in Mombasa but when I’m in India next, definitely want to try her Odia traditional Potala Rasa recipe. I gave Sasmita onion and pepper powder as her secret ingredients. Using those ingredients she prepared Mexican Corn Fritters.
Mexican Dishes you may want to check out:
Actually, I’m a huge fan of Mexican Dishes. My first ever dish Tacos was prepared when I was just 18, using Tarla Dalal’s recipe. when my kids were growing up, I prepared vegetarian Mexican food often as that was a good way of getting them enjoy salads and have their most loved ingredient cheese included in them. Hubby complains that now the kids are not at home, I don’t make Mexican Food enough. I should as all my clicks need updating.
- Huevos Rancheros – Mexican Style Breakfast
- comforting Mexican Vegetable Soup
- A fusion dish – Mexican Macaroni
- Colorful and healthy Mexican Rice
- Mexican Salad
- Persimmon Salsa Fresca
- Veggie Flautas – rolled up much thinner an burrito and fried
- Kiwi Cucumber Salsa
- Paneer and Mushroom Enchiladas – replaced the white cheese with paneer
- Veg Enchiladas
- Corn and Bean Quesadilla
- Veggie Mini Taco Boats
- Mini Taco Salad Cups
- Veg Tacos
- Nachos and Mango Salsa
- Tomato Salsa – cooked
- Cemita Buns
- Eggless Conchas
More About Mexican Mollete
The Mexican style open faced sandwich is usually made using Mexican Bread Bolillos. I baked the bread before making Mollete, recipe for the bread will be on the blog soon. The topping is usually leftover refried beans, cheddar cheese and sometimes bacon, chorizo, etc are added. Mollete are served with queso fresco and Pico de Gallo. However, one can add any other toppings like avocado, mangoes, green salsa, eggs, etc.
I made two varieties one with refried beans as the topping and the other with white corn and roasted poblano.
Ingredients required for Mexican Mollete
- Bread – I used home baked Bolillos. However you can use any buns or rolls
- Beans – red or black. I used canned black beans
- Onion – for the toppings and pico de gallo
- Oil – any oil of your choice, I used olive oil
- Garlic – for the refried beans
- Tomatoes – for the refried beans and pico de gallo
- Paprika powder – for the refried beans
- Salt
- Fresh Cilantro – for the toppings and pico de gallo
- Pablano Pepper – for the corn topping
- Fresh White Corn
- Lime Juice – for the corn topping and pico de gallo
- Jalapeño – for the pico de gallo
- Cheddar Cheese
- Feta – I replaced queso fresco with feta as I don’t get it here.
- Butter – for the corn topping and for the bread

MEXICAN MOLLETE
Ingredients
- 3 Bolillos or any other big rolls
- some butter
FOR THE REFRIED BEANS:
- 1 cup cooked red or black beans
- ½ cup onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ -1 tsp paprika powder
- 1 medium tomato finely chopped
- ½ - ¾ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp cilantro chopped
- 1 tsp dried oregano
FOR THE CORN TOPPING:
- 1 cup tender white corn cut off the cob
- 1 tbsp butter
- ¼ cup onion finely chopped
- 1 pablano roasted and chopped
- 2 tbsp water
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp cilantro chopped
FOR THE TOPPING:
- 1 cup cheddar cheese grated
- ½ cup feta cheese crumbled
- 1 cup Pico de Gallo
FOR PICO DE GALLO:
- 1 large onion finely chopped
- 2 large tomatoes diced
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1-2 jalapeno deseeded and chopped
- 2 tbsp cilantro chopped
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
PREPARATION OF REFRIED BEANS
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Add chopped onion and stir fry till it becomes soft.
- Add chopped garlic and stir fry for a few seconds. Add oregano and paprika powder.
- Add chopped tomato. Mix well. Allow the tomato to cook till it becomes soft.
- Add the tomato puree and salt. Allow it to cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Add the cooked beans. Mix well. Mash them lightly.
- Allow the mixture to become hot and its thick.
- Add cilantro, mix and take the pan off the heat.
PREPARATION OF CORN TOPPING:
- Heat butter in a pan over low heat.
- Add chopped onion and stir fry till it becomes soft.
- Add corn, water and salt. Mix well.
- Cover the pan and allow the corn to cook till done.
- Add chopped pablano pepper, cilantro, lime juice and mix well.
- Take the pan off the heat.
PREPARATION OF PICO DE GALLO:
- Mix all the Pico de Gallo ingredients in a bowl.
PREPARATION OF MOLLETE:
- Preheat the oven to 180°C.
- Slice Bolillos or any other rolls into halves horizontally.
- Butter the halves.
- Arrange them on a baking tray. Bake till the bread becomes crispy and golden brown on top.
- Remove the tray from the oven.
- Apply a thick layer of the refried beans or corn filling on each half of the toasted bread.
- Sprinkle grated cheese over them.
- Turn the oven to the Grill or Broiling setting.
- Place the tray with the bread in the oven. Grill or broil till the cheese melts.
- Remove the mollete from the oven.
- Top them with Pico De Gallo and Feta Cheese.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- I've included the recipe for both the refried beans and the corn topping.Use both or either.
- This recipe does not work well with normal slices of bread. Use good quality rolls like a baguette or ciabatta.
- Topping with feta cheese is optional.
- Can toast the bread under a broiler. However since we prefer the bread crispy, I allowed it to toast in the baking mode.
Pin for Later:
A little request:
If you do try this recipe then please either
- add a comment below,
- send a picture to my email mayuri.ajay.patel62@gmail.com
- tag me as #mayuri_jikoni on Instagram
- or tag me on Twitter as #Mayuri1962
40 Comments
Kalyani
October 1, 2020 at 11:25 am
What a smashing , delicious medley of flavours and textures !! wow wow.. you have brought us the heart of Mexico right into our screens, Mayuri…
mayurisjikoni
October 1, 2020 at 3:48 pm
Thank you so much Kalyani. Please do try the recipe, its a fun, enjoyable and filling one.
The Girl Next Door
October 6, 2020 at 9:56 pm
That looks pretty amazing! I am awed by the riot of colours this dish is, the various ingredients you have used here, the way you have painstakingly put this together, just how flavourful this sounds! I’d definitely love to get a bite of this beauty! 🙂
mayurisjikoni
October 7, 2020 at 3:19 pm
Thank you so much Priya, putting the dish together was actually fun for me and exciting because of all the colors. And it was so yummy.
Maria
October 12, 2020 at 4:49 pm
Love how vibrant the recipe is! Perfect for a light and very yummy meal. Mouthwatering list of ingredients and very interesting background information.
mayurisjikoni
October 12, 2020 at 7:08 pm
Thank you so much Maria.
Dimitri Komarov
October 7, 2020 at 9:02 am
I have been trying out different cuisines especially Mexican during the lockdown. These look so great and are is such an amazing recipe. Thank you for sharing this, I am definitely going to include this on my Mexican platter.
mayurisjikoni
October 7, 2020 at 3:15 pm
Thank you so much Dimitri, go on add it to your recipes to try and enjoy it. Its our favorite Mexican dish.
Jayashree T.Rao
October 9, 2020 at 7:32 pm
This is such a robust of flavours, ideal for brunch. The Mexican Mollete looks so colourful and a must try for me. Beautifully done.
mayurisjikoni
October 9, 2020 at 8:13 pm
Thank you so much Jayashree. Please do try and tag me in your social media.
Shobha Keshwani
October 10, 2020 at 11:49 pm
The Mexican Mollette looks so delicious and inviting with colourful and tasty toppings. Since it is a baked snack we can enjoy it guilt-free. It is quite filling too. I would relish it like a light meal.
mayurisjikoni
October 11, 2020 at 8:25 pm
Thanks Shobha, you can try the recipe using any good quality bread rolls that are available in the market.
Swati
October 11, 2020 at 7:16 am
Loved this filling, nutritious open sandwiches with Mexican flavours!! These look so vibrant and appealing to eyes I am sure these will be gone within mins of serving!! Will try these for my kids
mayurisjikoni
October 11, 2020 at 8:19 pm
Thank you so much Swaty and please do try mollete. They are yummy.
Rafeeda – The Big Sweet Tooth
October 11, 2020 at 1:57 pm
I have no words to say! These open faced sandwiches are filled with lots of flavors and textures, I bet it is impossible to stop with just one!
mayurisjikoni
October 11, 2020 at 8:18 pm
Thanks Rafeeda and you’re so right one was not enough as we had it for lunch.
Renu
October 11, 2020 at 5:39 pm
This looks so tempting. I love open-faced sandwiches and this one tick all the right boxes. I was not knowing about “ll” spelled as y…interesting to know that…
mayurisjikoni
October 11, 2020 at 8:16 pm
Thank you so much Renu, you get some good quality rolls there so you can try out mollete with them. Its filling and delicious
Archana
October 12, 2020 at 3:02 pm
Wow! I want to just run into the kitchen and make this delicious Mexican Mollette just now! Looking at it I am going crazy it does look awesome sounds yum. Another great way to put the girls on duty! 😀 Thank you I will always treasure the time we spend together cooking!
mayurisjikoni
October 12, 2020 at 3:52 pm
Thanks Archana, yes making mollete together with family is a great way to spend time together. And the end result is a delicious meal.
Poonam Bachhav
October 14, 2020 at 7:24 am
Who can resist such a vibrantly colored platter of open Sandwich with Mexican flavors ! Everything sounds so wholesome and delicious. I am bookmarking this recipe to try out after the fasting season is over.
mayurisjikoni
October 14, 2020 at 7:10 pm
Thank you so much Poonam. Please do try and share a photo. It is filling and flavorful. After the fasting, am sure you’ll enjoy this even more.
Anu Kollon
October 15, 2020 at 12:08 am
What a colorful dish this is. I am sure this is more filling because of the addition of beans and it can be had as a dinner or lunch. Bookmarking it to try it very soon.
Anu Kollon
October 15, 2020 at 12:11 am
What a colorful dish this is. I am sure this is more filling because of the addition of beans and it can be had as a dinner or lunch. Bookmarking it to try it very soon. Also on a side note, I am amazed at the number of Mexican dishes in your blog.
mayurisjikoni
October 15, 2020 at 6:50 pm
Thank you so much Anu. My family loves Mexican food and we have to make it at home as there are no Mexican restaurants in Mombasa.
Vasusvegkitchen
October 15, 2020 at 8:29 pm
Such a delicious Mexican mollete recipe with stunning pics. I just love reading your recipe, as surely I will get more information and many new recipes always. I tasted and prepared very less Mexican recipes, surely this recipe is one spot to learn more Mexican recipes. Bookmarking to prepare many of the Mexican recipes some time soon 🙂
mayurisjikoni
October 15, 2020 at 10:21 pm
Thank you so much Aruna. Please share a click whenever you prepare the dishes.
Seema Sriram
October 18, 2020 at 9:20 am
I can picture the excitement as this comes together. So colourful and perfect for that game night with family and friends.
mayurisjikoni
October 18, 2020 at 9:22 pm
Thanks Seema, and you’re so right I too was not expecting such a right of colors till I set up the whole tray.
preethicuisine
October 18, 2020 at 1:12 pm
Mexican Mollete looks absolutely mind blowing with a lovely riot of colors and bursting with all the flavors. Loved reading every bit of this post. It is so filling and wholesome. Beautifully presented.
mayurisjikoni
October 18, 2020 at 9:18 pm
Thank you so much Preethi.
Sasmita Sahoo
October 21, 2020 at 7:34 am
These Mexican mollettes look so delicious and inviting di. With all the colorful toppings and that too baked ones are surely a guilt-free snack option. And yes, I am in love with all the Mexican collection you have shared here.
mayurisjikoni
October 21, 2020 at 9:38 pm
Thank you so much Sasmita. We are a family of Mexican food lovers.
NARMADHA
October 23, 2020 at 5:57 am
Mexican Mollete looks so vibrant and colorful with all those toppings. This is full of flavors and looks too tempting. Once we have everything ready it is breeze to assemble and serve. You have amazing collection of Mexican recipes which I will check later.
mayurisjikoni
October 23, 2020 at 3:03 pm
Thank you so much Narmadha. We really loved mollete. As for my other recipes please don’t go by my horrible photos. The recipes are good.
Crevel Europe
December 24, 2020 at 2:25 pm
Hi Mayurisjikoni,
Thank you for sharing the detailed recipe. The dish is looking amazing.
mayurisjikoni
December 24, 2020 at 9:07 pm
Thank you so much.
Azlin Bloor
March 2, 2021 at 12:59 pm
These Mexican mollettes look so incredibly tempting with all those toppings. And I just love chopped up salads like pico de gallo, I can just imagine how well the fresh flavours work with everything else. Definitely something to try!
mayurisjikoni
March 2, 2021 at 6:42 pm
Thank you so much Azlin, its definitely a very tasty meal. In fact you can add any meat Chile to it.
My pico de gallo
April 26, 2021 at 2:54 pm
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