7-layer tostadas

Last Thursday was supposed to be taco night. We love taco night at our house. We even invited some friends over for dinner and games and to share our taco night with us.

I was planning on showing off to everyone and making my own taco shells out of corn tortillas. I've done it before...heat up oil and put the tortilla in partially folded over and let the heat do the rest. But for some reason my tortillas kept breaking. So I went for what I thought was the next best thing and made tostadas.

Everyone LOVED them! They were so fun to eat and our kids (we have 7 between the two) kept asking for more and more.

I randomly pulled out 7 toppings and therefore a 7-layer tostada, but you really can do whatever you want. Add more or less toppings. Suggestions are listed in the recipe. We made tostadas again tonight and I used refried black beans and green onions instead of lettuce and it was still absolutely delicious.

Except for the guacamole, which I don't care for, but that's another story.

Heat the tortillas in a deep skillet until lightly golden brown. Drain on a paper towel. They will harden as they cool.

7-Layer Tostadas

by Girls in Aprons

(makes 12 tostadas)

12 small corn tortillas

Vegetable oil

1 lb ground beef

2 Tbsp taco seasoning (or to taste)

1 can refried beans

12 oz prepared guacamole (I use 3 ripe avocados and a Concord guacamole mix)

2 cups shredded lettuce

3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

8 oz sour cream

1 can olives, quartered

In a deep skillet, heat oil over medium-low heat until 325 degrees. You should be able to drop a small pinch of tortilla and have the piece rise to the top and bubble. Cook tortillas, one at a time, in oil for 3 minutes, flipping halfway through. Remove and drain on a paper towel.

Brown hamburger in a large skillet. Once browned and drained, add 1/3 cup water and taco seasoning, stir and let simmer for 5 minutes on medium-low heat.

Heat refried beans in a small saucepan with 1/3 cup water. This helps the beans be easier to spread.

Layer tostada and serve. I prefer to layer the sauces and spreads first, such as beans, sour cream, and guacamole. Then add the hamburger, cheese, lettuce, and olives.

Other options for the tostada include ground chicken, refried black beans, regular black or pinto beans, jalapenos, caramelized onion, salsa, and green onions.

You can easily made this vegetarian by omitting the hamburger and adding the taco seasoning to the sour cream or beans.