Cemita Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe

Updated March 21, 2019

A grilled cheese inspired by cemitas—the Pueblo, Mexico sandwich specialty. Stringy Oaxacan cheese surrounds a spicy, creamy mash of avocado and chipotles in adobo, while a layer of whole papalo leaves add an herbal pop. This sandwich may not have the meat or the classic cemita roll, but it still manages to capture the bold, fiery flavors of the original.

Recipe Details

Cemita Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe

Active 15 mins

Total 15 mins

Serves 1 serving

Ingredients

1 finely chopped chipotle in adobo, plus 2 teaspoons sauce
1/2 avocado, peeled and pitted
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 3 even pats
2 slices hearty white sandwich bread, such as Pepperidge Farm or Arnold
2 ounces Oaxacan cheese, grated
8 to 10 papalo leaves (see note)
Kosher salt

Directions

In a small bowl, combine chipotle in adobo and avocado. Mash with a fork to combine.
Melt 1 pat of butter in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat until foaming subsides. Add both bread slices and cook, swirling occasionally, until pale golden brown on bottom side, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
Transfer bread to a cutting board toasted-side-up. Place half of the Oaxacan cheese on one slice, followed by avocado-chipotle mash and papalo. Top with remaining Oaxacan cheese and close sandwich with the top slice of bread toasted side down.
Return skillet to burner and melt 1 more pat of butter over medium-low heat. Add sandwich and cook, swirling occasionally, until deep, even golden brown, about 5 minutes. Remove sandwich using a flexible metal spatula. Add the remaining 1 pat of butter. Return sandwich to skillet cooked-side up. Season with salt. Cook, swirling occasionally, until second side is deep, even golden brown and cheese is thoroughly melted, about 5 minutes. Serve immediately.

Notes

Papalo is an herb commonly used in Pueblan cuisine. It may be available in Latin American specialty stores. If you cannot find it, substitute with cilantro.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
792	Calories
65g	Fat
41g	Carbs
19g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories	792
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 65g	83%
Saturated Fat 28g	141%
Cholesterol 117mg	39%
Sodium 698mg	30%
Total Carbohydrate 41g	15%
Dietary Fiber 13g	45%
Total Sugars 11g
Protein 19g
Vitamin C 58mg	290%
Calcium 496mg	38%
Iron 3mg	15%
Potassium 1047mg	22%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.