Tostadas With Smashed Black Beans Or Vaqueros Recipes

CRISPY BEAN TOSTADAS WITH SMASHED AVOCADO AND JICAMA-CILANTRO SLAW

Steps:

• Make the pickled onions: In a medium bowl, combine the sliced onions with the lime juice, vinegar and salt and stir until the onions are well coated. Let the onions sit while you make the slaw and tostadas. The pickled onions can be stored in a jar in the fridge for up to 1 week.
• Make the slaw: In a large bowl, combine the cabbage, cilantro, jicama, lime juice, cumin and chili powder. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and set aside.
• Assemble the tostadas: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Brush or spray both sides of each tortilla generously with olive oil or cooking spray, season with salt, and arrange in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Bake for 4 minutes, then flip and bake for 4 to 8 more minutes, until the tortillas are crispy.
• Gently heat the refried beans in the microwave or on the stovetop. In a large bowl, mash the avocados with a fork or potato masher. Stir in the lime juice and season with salt, to taste.
• Spread refried beans evenly over each tortilla. Add a layer of smashed avocado and top with the slaw, pickled onions, tomatoes and queso fresco. Serve immediately.

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.

BEAN TOSTADAS

Steps:

• Warm the refried beans in a 325-degree oven while you toast the tortilla halves. If the refried beans are too thick to spread evenly, thin out with some bean broth. Spread a spoonful of the refried beans onto each tortilla half. Top with a spoonful of the mashed avocado mixture and a sprinkle of queso fresco. Add a handful of lettuce and a spoonful of salsa. Arrange on a platter or plates and serve.

BLACK BEAN TOSTADAS

Steps:

• Set an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler.
• Combine refried black beans, black beans, green chiles, garlic powder, chili powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper in a saucepan. Heat over medium heat until warm and combined, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Place tostada shells on an ungreased baking sheet and evenly distribute bean mixture between them. Top with Monterey Jack cheese.
• Broil in the preheated oven until cheese is melted, watching carefully to avoid burning tostadas, 1 to 3 minutes.
• Serve immediately and garnish with salsa, lettuce, sour cream, and guacamole.