Roasted Vegetable Tostadas Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What does a tostada consist of? ›

A tostada is a flat, crispy corn tortilla that is typically layered with mashed or refried beans, protein, cheese and toppings such as lettuce, tomatoes, salsa and avocado. In Spanish, the word tostada means toasted.

To prepare a tostada, spread a large spoonful of mashed beans over a tostada shell. Sprinkle on cheese and other toppings (sliced lettuce, avocados, salsa, etc.) Don't load the tostada too much or you'll find it difficult to eat. Eat by picking up the tostada with both hands (like a pizza slice).

"The main difference is that a tostada is flat and made on a crispy tortilla shell, usually corn. Tacos, while they can be made in crispy corn shells, are most commonly seen soft, folded, with either corn or flour tortillas," says Jessica Formicola, chef and blogger at Savory Experiments.

As you can see, a tostada can be a good source of some essential nutrients like magnesium, fiber and iron. Note that a normal serving of tostadas is 2-3 tostadas. When combined with other toppings like beans, vegetables and meat, tostadas can make a filling and balanced meal!

Mission Tostadas Estilo Casero

This brand won nearly unanimous praise for its “crisp and crunchy” texture and “good corn flavor.” It was “substantial, both in texture and flavor” even when topped with heavy, moist refried beans.

Instead, take a small bite on one of the sides that has fewer ingredients. Then, slowly work your way to the middle while trying not to let any ingredients fall out. The smaller the bites, the better. Finally, using napkins is your best bet for eating messy foods like tostadas.

Use a fork to pick up the bite of tostada into your mouth like you would eat a hard taco salad. You can also use your hands to scoop the toppings with your small piece of the crunchy tortilla tostada base.

Tostadas can be found across Mexico. Toppings for tostadas are mostly the same as those used for tacos: a base layer of beans, cheese, sour cream, chopped lettuce, sliced onions, and salsa, which is then topped with diced and fried meat, usually chicken or pork, and also beef.

The best side dishes to serve with tostadas are pico de gallo, creamed corn, steak fajitas, black bean soup, pineapple salsa, taco soup, chicken burrito bowl, pulled pork, Mexican rice, chiles rellenos, guacamole, refried beans, street corn salad, chimichurri, cheese quesadillas, and cilantro lime coleslaw.

The word “Tostada” is Spanish for “toasted” and is the name of a Mexican dish that is served on a toasted or deep fried corn tortilla. The actual tostada (the toasted corn tortilla) is the base of the recipe and is topped with refried beans, cheese, meat, lettuce, and other toppings.

Who eats tostadas? ›

Tostadas, with a base of crunchy corn tortilla and various toppings are popular in Mexico and the Southwest US states, such as Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. They can be a little daunting to eat for the uninitiated, so this tutorial should be helpful to you!

Fried Tostada Shells

The main thing with frying is making sure the oil is sizzling, but not smoking. Too low and the tortilla goes soggy, too high and it'll burn. You're aiming for around 170C/340F-180C/350F. It's also important to keep the tortilla submerged in the oil to ensure both sides cook at an even rate.

The toaster oven puts the tray or bowl much closer to the heating elements than a full-size oven does, and therefore creates an unacceptable risk of fire. What's the best way to cook taco shells without a deep fryer?

too much oil and they won't crisp, rather, they'll be tough/chewy). Place tortillas on the sheet pan, spread evenly, not overlapping. Bake tortillas for about 8 minutes, flip (they'll still be flimsy at this point), then bake for an additional 8 minutes until the tostadas are golden and sturdy.

One of my Taco Bell favorites. A Taco Bell tostada is a flat crunchy tortilla with beef, beans, lettuce, cheese, and salsa (not 100% sure though as I don't order it) to me it looks like a flat taco.

Tostadas are a standalone dish in Mexico and the American Southwest, and are also served as a companion to various Mexican foods, mostly seafood and stews, such as menudo, birria and pozole. Tostadas can be found across Mexico.

Different but equally delicious

According to All Recipes, a taco is made from a folded corn or flour tortilla that can be served soft or crunchy. Its counterpart, the tostada, is typically made with corn tortillas baked or fried flat to crispy perfection and served open-faced like an edible plate.