Black Bean Tostadas With Avocado Salsa Recipes

MAIN CHALLENGE: SKIRT STEAK TOSTADA WITH BLACK BEANS AND MANGO SALSA

Steps:

• For the steak: In a large shallow bowl or baking dish whisk together the soy sauce, olive oil, lemon juice, honey, onion, habanero, and salt and pepper, to taste. Add the skirt steak, cover and refrigerate. Marinate for at least 1 hour, preferably several hours.
• For the beans: In a saucepan over medium-low heat, combine all ingredients and let simmer for 20 minutes.
• For the tostadas: Heat about 3 inches of oil in a large pot to about 350 degrees F. Carefully slide 1 tortilla into the oil and fry until crisp, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels. Repeat with the remaining tortillas.
• Preheat a grill pan or grill to medium-high. Remove the skirt steak from the bowl or baking dish and discard the marinade. Place the steak on the grill and grill about 4 to 6 minutes for medium-rare to medium. Remove from grill to a cutting board and let rest for about 5 minutes. Slice into thin pieces at a diagonal.
• To serve: Place fried tortillas on a large platter or individual plates. Spoon some of the black bean mixture in the middle of the tortillas. Top with steak slices and the Mango Salsa. Garnish with sour cream and your choice of grated cheese, if desired.
• In a bowl, combine all ingredients and set aside for 10 to 20 minutes for the flavors to marry.

GRILLED AVOCADO STUFFED WITH BLACK BEAN SALSA

Steps:

• Prepare a grill for medium-high heat.
• For the black bean salsa: Stir together the beans, cilantro, red onions, cumin, tomatoes, lime juice, bell peppers and jalapenos in a medium bowl until well incorporated. Season with salt and pepper.
• For the grilled avocado: Brush the cut sides of the avocados with olive oil and place on the grill cut-side down. Cook until charred, about 1 minute. Season with the chile powder and some salt and pepper.
• To serve, fill the cavity of each avocado with the salsa and serve with tortilla chips.

SHRIMP TOSTADAS WITH AVOCADO SALSA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons avocado, water, 1 teaspoon lime juice, 1 teaspoon blackened seasoning and cumin. Set aside 1/4 cup beans; add remaining beans to avocado mixture and mash with a fork. Stir in reserved whole beans. Set aside., For salsa, in a small bowl, combine orange, onion, jalapeno, cilantro, and the remaining avocado and 2 teaspoons lime juice. Cover and refrigerate until serving., Place tostada shells on ungreased baking sheets; spread with bean mixture. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake until bean mixture is heated through and cheese is melted, 4-6 minutes., Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and remaining 1 teaspoon blackened seasoning. Cook and stir until shrimp turn pink, 4-6 minutes. Arrange over tostada shells; serve with salsa.

BLACK BEAN TOSTADAS WITH AVOCADO SALSA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Brush the tortillas with a little of the oil and place in a single layer on baking sheets. Cook for 8 mins until crisp.
• In a large frying pan, heat the remaining oil. Add the onion and garlic, and cook for 5 mins. Add the spices, vinegar and honey. Cook for 2 mins more. Add the beans and seasoning, and heat through.
• Remove from the heat and mash the beans gently with the back of your spoon to a chunky purée. Spread some beans over the crispy corn tortillas, scatter with your choice of toppings and add a spoonful of crème fraîche to cool down, or a splash of chipotle Tabasco to spice it up.

TOSTADAS WITH SMASHED BLACK BEANS OR VAQUEROS

Steps:

• Heat oil over medium heat in a large, heavy pan (I use a heavy nonstick pan for this) and add cumin. When it is sizzling, add beans with their liquid and turn up heat to medium-high. Cook beans, mashing with the back of your spoon and stirring often, until they are thick but still fairly moist, about 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat. Every so often a layer of thick broth should begin to stick to the pan. Stir that into the beans - it has a lot of flavor. The smashed beans will continue to dry even after you remove from the heat.
• Toast the tortillas. For really crisp tortillas, heat one at a time (2 if you have a large enough microwave to fit 2 without the tortillas overlapping) in a microwave for 1 minute on full power. Flip tortilla over and microwave for 30 seconds to a minute more on full power, until crisp. You can also toast them in a dry pan or directly over the flame, but this will not crisp the tortillas, it will just char them.
• In a medium bowl, combine tomatoes, chiles, onion, and cilantro. Season to taste with salt. Stir in lime juice and the avocado. Let sit for 15 to 30 minutes for the best flavor.
• Spread about 1/2 cup of the refried beans over each tortilla. Top with a generous spoonful of salsa. Place a handful of shredded lettuce or cabbage on top and if desired a little more salsa on the lettuce. Sprinkle on some white cheese, and serve.