I am so surprised tostadas haven’t become wildly popular in the US. Here are some reasons for my surprise…
They can be assembled in a couple minutes, as ingredients can be prepared beforehand or store-bought. They can be eaten anytime of day, depending on what you layer on them. They are a wholesome one stop meal, for proteins, vegetables and carbohydrates happily mingle in there. They are accommodating, you can decide how much to add of each topping. They are forgiving, choices can vary from one tostada to the next. Moreover, they are fun to prepare, eat and share.
In a sense, they are the perfect dish for casual entertaining. So much of Mexican food just lends itself to being in a Fiesta mood.
What can you layer on a tostada? Well, almost anything! There are regional specialties, traditional favorites, modern twists and family staples. Yet, after the hundreds of variations there is a lot of room to play and create your own. But for a memorable tostada, you need to know some simple basics.
First of all, start with a good tostada. A tostada is a corn tortilla that is either toasted (that is what the word tostada translates to in English) or deep fried until golden and crisp.
Now, you can go as hands on as you want. You can make your own tortillas or buy the already made tortillas and make your own tostadas. But there are pretty good ready to eat tostadas at the stores. If that’s the way you want to go, try a couple brands to see which you like best. They do taste different. Once you have the tostadas, you already have a filling, crunchy and sturdy base for your creation.
The most common tostadas add a layer of smooth and tasty refried beans, home made or store bought. From there, you can go many ways.
My sister Karen likes to host tostada parties. She places a basket with tostadas, a bowl of refried beans and different hearty toppings (which shouldn’t be too saucy, just nice and moist, as tostadas are somewhat flat), such as chicken tinga and shredded beef in a chile sauce. She plates fresh garnishes, like Mexican avocado, tomatoes, lettuce, onion, cream and crumbled cheese. Her guests just go around the table adding whatever they feel like on top.
I will leave you with the ones I make most often at home. My kids are happy adding crumbled cheese and Mexican cream on top of the refried beans. I am more satisfied throwing in some shredded chicken, tomato, lettuce, ripe avocado and a salsa verde, made with tomatillos, to drizzle on top.
Don’t let any version stop you though. You may start with the tostadas and the refried beans. From there… it is up to your imagination. It can go to infinity, and beyond.
Ingredients
- 12 corn tostadas
- 2 cups refried beans warmed up
- 2 cups shredded chicken
- 1 cup finely sliced iceberg or romaine lettuce
- 1 ripe Mexican avocado pitted, peeled and sliced
- 1 cup tomato sliced
- 1/2 cup Mexican or Latin style cream
- 1 cup green tomatillo salsa or your salsa of choice
- 1 cup Cotija, Fresco or Farmers Cheese crumbled
To Prepare
- Place the tostadas on a large platter and all of the toppings and garnishes in separate bowls.
- For a complete basic tostada: Layer a couple tablespoons of refried beans on the tostada. Spread a couple tablespoons of shredded chicken, lettuce, and one or two slices each of avocado and tomato. Top it all with a tablespoon or so of crumbled cheese and cream. Drizzle some green salsa, if you wish, to your liking.
Comments
18comments inTostada Buzz: To infinity, and beyond!
Laurel
Jul 29
Have always loved tostadas!! Easy go to dinner!! Beans, shredded beef , shredded cheese, lettuce and tomatoes- my family’s favorite!!!
Pati Jinich
Aug 20
Yum, I SO much love tostadas as well!
Laurelk
Dec 30
I love tostadas because as you say just slept some refried beans, add meat whatever you have , lettuce tomatoes cheese , salsa and eat —- my idea of fast food!!
Pati Jinich
Jan 02
Fast and delicious, right? Thanks Laurel 🙂
dee
Mar 12
Instead of fried,, can i just bake corn tortilla?
Pati
Mar 12
Of course!
Mariana
Jul 17
Pati, what about the lime juice? I could never have tostadas without limoncito! Or hot sauce such as Valentina! 🙂
Pati
Jul 17
Hi Mariana, Yes, they’d be great with lime juice and hot sauce. Go crazy!!
Bridget
Feb 02
My family LOVES LOVES LOVES tostadas!!! Such a quick and pretty healthy snack! Sometimes we make a meal out of it by throwing grilled chicken or fish on top with a salad on the side.
Pati Jinich
Feb 07
So glad to hear Bridget!
Israel
May 28
Suggestion:
When preparing the refritos, add one whole seedless chipotle and mix until totally homogeneous and incorporated into the mass.
Pati Jinich
May 28
mmmmmhhhh! I love chipotle flavored refried beans!
Rachel Laser
May 26
All I want to say is that I don’t know HOW I’m going to eat anything for dinner but this beautiful looking creation you have now reminded me of! Nothing else will come close. Congrats on the wonderful website.
Pati Jinich
May 27
Rachel, thanks and many thanks for your post!!!
Jeanie
May 21
So what’s the difference between the tosdada and quesadea? Ingredients similar, is it the shell?
Pati Jinich
May 21
Hi Jeanie! Yes, the ingredients can be similar. And as you point out, the difference is in the shell, in a couple ways. In the quesadilla, you can use a corn or flour tortilla. In both cases, quesadillas are folded, hugging or embracing the filling, as in a turnover. They can be soft, or hard if they are deep fried.
Tostadas on the other hand are only made with corn tortillas. Also, they are always crispy and somewhat flat, neither folded nor soft. So you layer the ingredients on top of the tostada, (imagine a super crispy and incredibly thin pizza crust!). So the corn tortilla turned into a tostada (which you can buy at the stores), never wraps itself around the ingredients but it is like an eatable, sturdy and crunchy mounting base. And then you play with your choices of layers….
Brian Meagher
May 20
Pati,
I love to keep tostadas around for our leftover meats. We always make too much seasoned beef for our burritos and tacos. Tostadas make leftovers fast and easy.
I like to build a “taco” on the tostada, toss in a toaster oven and bake.
Also, I’ve smeared either a thick taco sauce or drained salsa, topped with cheese and bake. Yummy.
Beautiful blog you got going here!
Pati Jinich
May 20
Hey Brian, many thanks for your comment… You are so right, tostadas are a wonderful way to reuse leftovers and dress them up!