Tostadas

 This is a Farmers Wife Original.

Ok, maybe I shouldn't take credit for this one, Tostadas have been around long before me. But I do make mine a little different. Typically a tostada is essentially a layered bean dip on a fried corn tortilla. And while the layers (if you can get the to actually layer and not mush) can look pretty, I find it's SO much easier to combine the wet ingredients together. This way they all spread evenly and every bite is full of delicious beans, salsa, guacamole, sour cream... Yum! I vaguely remember once upon a time my Grandma made them for us, but when I really became introduced to them was while The Farming Hubby and I were engaged and his Mom made them. I remember her teaching me how to fry up the tortillas as we made them for some family friends coming over. I was so nervous I'd mess them up. I grew up doing a lot of cooking, but not frying. But she was incredibly patient with me as I attempted to do these for the first time, and though I'm pretty sure I messed up a few of them, it didn't take too long for me to figure it out. I still make my tostadas the same way she taught me, and they are a favorite in our house. I don't make them all that often because I tend to forget about them, but every few months I get a craving for them and we really enjoy them! These are a great, very easy dish to make on a weeknight!

Ingredients: these are estimates, you can change the exact quantities based on your personal preference
Package of Corn Tortillas
Vegetable Oil
15 oz. Can of Refried Beans (I like the fat free one!)
1/4-1/3 cup Sour Cream
2-4 Tablespoons Salsa
2 Tablespoons Guacamole
1-2 Roma Tomatoes, Diced
1-2 Green Onions, Diced (or red onions)
Shredded Lettuce
Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Optional:
Seasoned, cooked hamburger
Cooked shredded chicken (I have a good recipe for this coming soon!)
Diced Jalepenos
Diced Green Chili's
Diced Black Olive

Directions:
Using a small (4") frying pan, fill it with about 1/2 inch of oil. Heat until hot and slightly bubbly. Using tongs, place a tortilla down into the oil, holding it down with the tongs to cook in the oil. These cook up pretty fast, after about a minute check it and if it's slightly browned on the bottom side, flip over and cook on the other side. Once both sides are browned and hard, it's done. Remove from the oil and drain on paper towels. Repeat with remaining (or however many you and your family want to eat) tortillas. Once those are done, set aside. Then in a bowl combine the beans, sour cream, salsa and guacamole. Set aside and chop the vegetables. When you're ready to eat, spread the bean mixture on the bottom of the tortilla and then layer the remaining ingredients just like a lasagna. Eat! (this can be messy, but that's part of the fun!)

Review:
This really is an easy meal to throw together after a busy day. You can buy pre-made tostada shells at the store if frying them is scary for you, or to save the extra time. But the homemade are just so yummy... lol! If your family doesn't like all the "wet" ingredients you can have them all separate, or just combine the ones you know everyone likes and leave the others one the side for those that want it. I love that each person can assemble their own tostada exactly to their liking! 4 stars.