Tostada Tuesdays!

If there is one thing that I look forward to after a long day at work when all I want to do is get off my feet and the last thing that I want to do is cook, it is Tostada Tuesdays.  Don't let the name fool you!  We make these babies any day of the week when we get home and just barely have enough energy to chew.  They are fast, delicious, and, almost mess free!  On a lazy day these are the perfect comfort food that will fill you up and give you much more nutritional value than caving in and getting that McRib sandwich.  Plus, you also won't want to die and go into McFood induced coma afterward either.

First things first.  To start off you have to prepare the Guacamole.

4 ripe avocados, diced

1/2 small red onion, diced as finely as humanly possible

1 jalapeno, seeded and diced

4 cloves of garlic, also diced as finely as humanly possible

zest of 1 lime, juice of 1/2 the same lime

pinch of cayenne

1/2 tbsp. cumin

pinch of salt

some fresh cracked pepper to taste

a drizzle of olive oil

chopped cilantro

Plop all of the ingredients into a bowl and mash up with a fork.  I like to leave some larger chucks in mine, but you can get it to whatever consistency is best for your taste buds! Adjust any spices or ingredients to your liking, also.

Now that the guacamole is done we can move on to the main dish...our beautiful Tostadas.

4 corn tortillas

2 tbsp. canola oil

1 can of Trader Joe's Fat Free Refried Beans

1 tbsp. earth balance

1/4 small head of red cabbage, shredded

1 large tomato, diced

4 green onions, sliced

cilantro

one batch of guacamole

Begin by slicing, shredding and chopping all of the vegetables.  Feel free to omit or add any to your liking. Set the toppings aside and lets get to the good stuff!  In a small frying pan heat the canola oil over medium heat.  You will know that the oil is hot enough when you flick a little water on it and it makes a popping noise.  While the oil is heating we will start getting the beans ready.  In a small pot add the can of beans with the earth balance.  Heat is through very slowly on low heat.  Stir occasionally to mix.  Once the oil is ready get the tortillas out and fry one at a time.  Fry on each side for about 3-4 minutes or until lightly golden brown.  Once the tortilla is done, transfer it to a paper towel and cover both sides to soak up any extra oil. After you are done frying it is time to layer!  I always start with a generous layer of beans and then decorate the top with the sides.  However, these are your little bits of edible art work and you can design any way that you wish.  Have fun and enjoy your tostadas!!!!!