Mexican Tostadas: A Crunchy and Flavorful Delight

There’s something truly satisfying about biting into a crunchy tostada topped with a medley of vibrant Mexican flavors. Tostadas, meaning ‘toasted’ in Spanish, are a staple in Mexican cuisine. Whether loaded with tangy ceviche, seasoned beans, or tender shredded chicken, the possibilities with tostadas are endless.

Crafting the Perfect Tostada

Creating the perfect tostada involves balancing textures and flavors. The base is a crispy tortilla, traditionally fried but it can also be baked for a healthier option.

Tostada Shells

• 12 corn tortillas
• 2 cups of vegetable oil

1. Heat the oil in a pan until it reaches about 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Add the tortillas, one at a time, and fry until golden brown and crispy.
3. Remove from the oil and place on paper towels to drain excess oil.

Traditional Bean Tostadas

The simplest way to enjoy a tostada is with a topping of refried beans, a sprinkle of cheese, and a bit of fresh lettuce.

Ingredients:

• Tostada shells
• 2 cups refried beans
• 1 cup shredded lettuce
• 1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• Salsa to taste

Preparation:

1. Spread a layer of refried beans onto each tostada shell.
2. Top with shredded lettuce, crumbled queso fresco, a dollop of sour cream, and your favorite salsa.

This delicious dish can be a meal on its own or served as a satisfying snack. With the crunch of the tostada, creaminess of the beans, fresh crunch of lettuce, salty queso fresco, and tangy salsa, it’s a treat for your taste buds.

Chicken Tinga Tostadas

For a more substantial tostada, Chicken Tinga is an excellent choice. It’s a flavorful mixture of shredded chicken in a tomato and chipotle sauce.

Ingredients:

• Tostada shells
• 2 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 3 tomatoes, chopped
• 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• Salt to taste
• 1 cup refried beans
• 1 cup shredded lettuce
• 1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• Salsa to taste

Preparation:

1. Sauté the onion and garlic until translucent.
2. Add the tomatoes, chipotle peppers, chicken broth, and a pinch of salt. Simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Add the shredded chicken, and cook for an additional 10 minutes until the flavors meld together.
4. Assemble the tostada by spreading a layer of refried beans on the shell, then a layer of the chicken tinga. Top with shredded lettuce, crumbled queso fresco, a dollop of sour cream, and your favorite salsa.

These tostadas are a bit more filling and offer an exciting blend of flavors, from the smoky chicken tinga to the crunchy fresh lettuce and creamy beans.

Mexican tostadas offer an opportunity to explore the flavorful and vibrant world of Mexican cuisine. Whether simple or elaborate, each bite is sure to be a crunchy and delightful experience.

Shrimp Ceviche Tostadas

Ceviche, a beloved dish from the coastal regions of Latin America, pairs brilliantly with the crunch of tostadas. In this recipe, succulent shrimp are cooked in lime juice and tossed with fresh tomatoes, onion, and cilantro for a refreshing, tangy topping.

Ingredients:

• Tostada shells
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped
• 1/2 cup lime juice
• 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
• 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
• 1 jalapeno, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• Salt to taste
• 1 avocado, sliced
• Hot sauce, to taste

Preparation:

1. Combine the shrimp and lime juice in a bowl, ensuring the shrimp are fully submerged. Let sit in the fridge for about 15-20 minutes until the shrimp are pink and cooked through.
2. Add the chopped onion, tomatoes, jalapeno, and cilantro. Stir well to combine and season with salt to taste.
3. Assemble the tostadas by topping each shell with the shrimp ceviche. Add a couple of avocado slices and a splash of your favorite hot sauce.

The acidity of the lime juice, the heat from the jalapeno, and the sweetness of the shrimp make this tostada variant an explosion of flavors. It’s a fantastic dish to serve on a warm summer day.

Tostadas: A Versatile Mexican Delight

Tostadas can be the star of the show or serve as a side dish or appetizer. They can be topped with almost anything from your fridge or pantry, from leftover vegetables and meats to your favorite salsas and pickled veggies. Tostadas are not only a delightful culinary tradition but also a practical and delicious way to make sure nothing goes to waste in your kitchen.

The true beauty of Mexican tostadas lies in their flexibility. While we’ve provided a few classic recipes here, we encourage you to get creative. Mix and match toppings, play with different flavors and textures, and most importantly, enjoy the process. Whether you’re a fan of traditional bean tostadas, can’t resist the smoky flavor of chicken tinga, or prefer the lightness of shrimp ceviche, we hope this culinary journey through the world of tostadas leaves you inspired and hungry for more.