Our favorite fast Tostadas

These quick and yummy Tostadas have extra delicious layers of flavor dimension. 

Creamy, savory refried beans, the caramelized flavor of the onions and peppers, the sweet tomato-y sauce, smokiness from the bacon fat/smoked paprika, the crisp corn tortilla flavor, and the freshness of romaine, tomatoes, and cilantro are all perfectly complimented with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkling of cheese. We love these at our house!

No more needs to be said really. What? You want the recipe?

I have to say, I have not cared for most of the tostadas that have been served to me. The beans are usually dry and flavorless and then they are usually just topped with iceberg lettuce, prefab cheese, and salsa that is too heavy on the chili powder. I wanted a tostada that rose above all that. I wanted to create a more interesting tostada for my buds... My tastebuds. This is what I came up with.

This dinner is very easy to put together, You can cook everything at the same time and it will be ready in minutes. I like to start with the onions, and then start refrying the beans. I make the tomato sauce last. In between, I prep the toppings and make the guacamole.

The refried beans are the recipe I posted here earlier, but this time I refried them in bacon fat. I usually use deodorized coconut oil, so use what ever you like.

The tomato sauce was inspired by a mildly sweet chile relleno sauce I have had at +La Casita Restaurant in Springville, Utah (YUM). You may also flavor the tomato sauce with smoked paprika, or smoked hot chipotle pepper, and maybe a pinch of Mexican oregano, to taste.

Top with our Favorite Reduced Fat Sour Cream Blend.

Serve with a side of my Chili's Copy Cat Salsa recipe.


Get ready to have your taste buds sing!


Our Favorite Tostadas Recipe:

Components:

Crisp corn tortillas (pre-made in the Mexican food section)
Refried Beans
Tomato Sauce
Sauteed Onions & Peppers
Shredded cheese
Diced tomatoes
Diced romaine lettuce
Minced fresh cilantro, optional
Our Favorite sour Cream Blend, or regular sour cream
Chili's Copy Cat Salsa, optional
Guacamole, optional
Lime wedges, optional



Sauteed Onions & Peppers:

1 Sweet or regular onion
1 Sweet red bell pepper
1-2 T. deodorized coconut oil (may use 1 T. bacon fat)
A pinch of baking soda
A pinch of BioSalt or sea salt

Method:

Slice into this slivers the onion and bell pepper.
Saute the onions slowly in oil along with the baking soda and salt, which speed caramelization.
When the onions are translucent, add the bell pepper and mix together.
Continue to saute, stirring occasionally until tender and starting to caramelize.



Easy Re-fried Beans recipe:

2 T. virgin or deodorized coconut oil and/or bacon fat
1 clove garlic, smashed
1 pinch hot red chili pepper flakes
1 can refried beans of choice
1/4 c. plus 2 T. purified water, divided
1/2 t. onion powder
1 pinch cumin powder


Method:

Saute the garlic and red pepper flakes in coconut oil until very fragrant and sizzling.

Add the can of beans and stir to mix together.

Add 1/4 c. water to thin the beans, mixing in well.

Add the onion powder and a pinch of cumin. mix in well.

Brown the beans, turning occasionally, until they thicken up and have areas that are browned nicely. This gives a great flavor to the re-fried beans.

Add a touch more water (about 2 T.) to thin the beans to a nice consistency.

Taste for seasonings and adjust if needed. If you used unsalted beans, add salt to taste.



Tomato Sauce:

1 (8-oz) can tomato sauce
1 T. plus 2 t. sugar (Lakanto sweetener or xylitol) (or use 2 T. or more of  erythritol or maltitol)
1/8 t. garlic powder
1/2 t. onion salt
1/4 c. purified water
1/8 t. smoked paprika (or chipotle to taste, for added heat), optional

Method:

Place all sauce ingredients in a small saucepan and simmer 5 minutes. Keep warm and set aside.



Speedy & Delicious Guacamole:

Ripe avocados
Onion salt, to taste
A pinch of garlic powder
A squeeze of lemon or lime juice, optional

Method:

Scoop the ripe avocado out of it's shell and put into a small bowl.
Sprinkle with the seasonings and citrus juice, and mash with a fork.
Add enough onion salt so the guacamole has a great flavor, and serve.



TOSTADA ASSEMBLY:

Top crispy tortillas in this order:

Spread tortilla with the hot refried beans, sprinkle with cheese, pour on some warm tomato sauce, add sauteed onions & peppers, shredded romaine lettuce, guacamole, salsa, tomatoes, sour cream, cilantro, and garnish with a lime wedge.

ENJOY!


Note: Alternately, you may brown flour tortillas in deodorized 76 degree coconut oil until crispy.


Photos of the cooking process:

Starting to caramelize the onions with a pinch of baking soda and BioSalt.

This dinner is very easy and fast to prepare.

Adding the red bell pepper to the softened onions.

Sauteing the onions and peppers.

The onions and peppers are finished.

The easy refried beans are about ready.

Simmering the tomato tostada sauce.

Putting the toppings on the tostada. The sauce adds a special touch.

The tostada all dressed and ready to go.

A plated tostada with toppings and my Copy-Cat Chili's Salsa recipe.

Enjoy,

Leila.