Sincronizada
Encyclopedia
In Mexican cuisine
, the sincronizada (Spanish for "synchronized") is a tortilla
-based sandwich
made by placing a slice of ham and a portion of Oaxaca cheese
(or any type of cheese) between two flour tortillas, then grilled until the cheese melts and the tortillas become crispy. Then cut into halves or wedges to serve.
They are frequently confused with quesadilla
s, due to their resemblance to "quesadillas" sold in the United States
. (U.S. quesadillas are usually made with flour tortillas rather than molded from masa
in the Mexican
style). Note however, despite the fact it looks almost the same as a quesadilla, it is considered as a completely different dish. The main difference between the real quesadilla and the sincronizadas is the obligatory inclusion of ham
in the dish and the main ingredient used to make the tortilla (wheat flour
instead of corn flour, masa harina). Also note a quesadilla is made of a single folded and filled corn tortilla, while the sincronizada is prepared like a sandwich.
Ingredients could vary between Oaxaca cheese, Manchego cheese and different types of ham. The sincronizada is supposedly to be consumed alone, but in some regions of Mexico it is common to add a regional sour cream
, salsa
or guacamole
as topping to make a richer flavor. The Tex-Mex
version also contains beans, cheese, beef fajita
meat and avocado
and Monterey Jack
cheese instead of the traditional Oaxacan one.
A similar dish is the gringa
, which is prepared in exactly the same way as a sincronizada, but using carne al pastor instead of ham. Despite its similarities, it is considered as a completely different dish. The gringa is also extremely greasy, since the carne al pastor used for its preparation is usually made of cooked pork meat often reheated on an oily comal
before being placed between the tortillas (corn flour).
Mexican cuisine
Mexican cuisine, a style of food that originates in Mexico, is known for its varied flavors, colourful decoration and variety of spices and ingredients, most of which are native to the country. The cuisine of Mexico has evolved through thousands of years of blending indigenous cultures, with later...
, the sincronizada (Spanish for "synchronized") is a tortilla
Tortilla
In Mexico and Central America, a tortilla is a type of thin, unleavened flat bread, made from finely ground maize...
-based sandwich
Sandwich
A sandwich is a food item, typically consisting of two or more slices of :bread with one or more fillings between them, or one slice of bread with a topping or toppings, commonly called an open sandwich. Sandwiches are a widely popular type of lunch food, typically taken to work or school, or...
made by placing a slice of ham and a portion of Oaxaca cheese
Oaxaca cheese
Queso Oaxaca is a white, semihard cheese from Mexico, similar to unaged Monterey Jack, but with a mozzarella-like string cheese texture. It is named after the state of Oaxaca in southern Mexico, where it was first made. It is available in several different shapes. It is also known as quesillo...
(or any type of cheese) between two flour tortillas, then grilled until the cheese melts and the tortillas become crispy. Then cut into halves or wedges to serve.
They are frequently confused with quesadilla
Quesadilla
A quesadilla is a flour or corn tortilla filled with a savoury mixture containing cheese and other ingredients, then folded in half to form a half-moon shape. This dish originated in Mexico, and the name is derived from the Spanish word queso ....
s, due to their resemblance to "quesadillas" sold in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. (U.S. quesadillas are usually made with flour tortillas rather than molded from masa
Masa
Masa is Spanish for dough. In the Americas it is often short for masa de maíz, a maize dough made from freshly prepared hominy. It is used for making corn tortillas, tamales, pupusas, arepas and many other Latin American dishes. The dried and powdered form is called masa harina, masa de harina,...
in the Mexican
Mexican cuisine
Mexican cuisine, a style of food that originates in Mexico, is known for its varied flavors, colourful decoration and variety of spices and ingredients, most of which are native to the country. The cuisine of Mexico has evolved through thousands of years of blending indigenous cultures, with later...
style). Note however, despite the fact it looks almost the same as a quesadilla, it is considered as a completely different dish. The main difference between the real quesadilla and the sincronizadas is the obligatory inclusion of ham
Ham
Ham is a cut of meat from the thigh of the hind leg of certain animals, especiallypigs. Nearly all hams sold today are fully cooked or cured.-Etymology:...
in the dish and the main ingredient used to make the tortilla (wheat flour
Wheat flour
Wheat flour is a powder made from the grinding of wheat used for human consumption. More wheat flour is produced than any other flour. Wheat varieties are called "clean," "white," or "brown" if they have high gluten content, and they are called "soft" or "weak" flour if gluten content is low...
instead of corn flour, masa harina). Also note a quesadilla is made of a single folded and filled corn tortilla, while the sincronizada is prepared like a sandwich.
Ingredients could vary between Oaxaca cheese, Manchego cheese and different types of ham. The sincronizada is supposedly to be consumed alone, but in some regions of Mexico it is common to add a regional sour cream
Sour cream
Sour cream is a dairy product rich in fats obtained by fermenting a regular cream by certain kinds of lactic acid bacteria. The bacterial culture, which is introduced either deliberately or naturally, sours and thickens the cream. Its name stems from the production of lactic acid by bacterial...
, salsa
Salsa (sauce)
Salsa may refer to any type of sauce. In American English, it usually refers to the spicy, often tomato based, hot sauces typical of Mexican and Central American cuisine, particularly those used as dips. In British English, the word typically refers to salsa cruda, which is common in Mexican ,...
or guacamole
Guacamole
Guacamole , is an avocado-based dip that originated in Mexico. It is traditionally made by mashing ripe avocados with a molcajete with sea salt. Some recipes call for limited tomato, spicy Asian spices such as white onion, lime juice, and/or additional seasonings.-History:Guacamole was made by...
as topping to make a richer flavor. The Tex-Mex
Tex-Mex
Tex-Mex is a regional American cuisine that blends food products available in the United States and the culinary creations of Mexican-Americans influenced by the cuisines of Mexico.Tex Mex may also refer to:...
version also contains beans, cheese, beef fajita
Fajita
A fajita is a term found in both traditional Mexican cuisine and in Tex-Mex cuisine, commonly referring to any grilled meat served on a flour or corn tortilla. The term originally referred to the cut of beef used in the dish which is known as skirt steak. Popular meats today also include chicken,...
meat and avocado
Avocado
The avocado is a tree native to Central Mexico, classified in the flowering plant family Lauraceae along with cinnamon, camphor and bay laurel...
and Monterey Jack
Monterey Jack
Monterey Jack is an American semihard cheese made using cow's milk. It is commonly sold by itself, or mixed with Colby to make a marbled cheese known as Colby-Jack . Cheddar-Jack varieties are also available....
cheese instead of the traditional Oaxacan one.
A similar dish is the gringa
Gringas
Gringas are a variety of tacos which uses as a base a quesadilla, consisting of a flour tortilla filled with cheese and "al pastor" meat, topped with cheese. This is then grilled in the same manner as a quesadilla...
, which is prepared in exactly the same way as a sincronizada, but using carne al pastor instead of ham. Despite its similarities, it is considered as a completely different dish. The gringa is also extremely greasy, since the carne al pastor used for its preparation is usually made of cooked pork meat often reheated on an oily comal
Comal (cookware)
A comal is a smooth, flat griddle typically used in Mexico to cook tortillas, toast spices, sear meat, and generally prepare food. Similar cookware is called a budare in South America. Some comals are concave and made of "barro" . These are still made and used by the indigenous peoples of Mexico...
before being placed between the tortillas (corn flour).
See also
- QuesadillaQuesadillaA quesadilla is a flour or corn tortilla filled with a savoury mixture containing cheese and other ingredients, then folded in half to form a half-moon shape. This dish originated in Mexico, and the name is derived from the Spanish word queso ....
- GringasGringasGringas are a variety of tacos which uses as a base a quesadilla, consisting of a flour tortilla filled with cheese and "al pastor" meat, topped with cheese. This is then grilled in the same manner as a quesadilla...
- TortillaTortillaIn Mexico and Central America, a tortilla is a type of thin, unleavened flat bread, made from finely ground maize...
- List of sandwiches