Black Bean Tostadas

{Meatless Monday- Black Bean Tostadas} 

This is a delicious Mexican style recipe that is meatless but you wouldn’t think it was “missing” anything when you taste it. Black beans are a great replacement for meat in this recipe. This whole meal should take about 30 minutes to prepare.

{Ingredients} 

Spanish rice

Refried black beans

Tostadas shells

Mexican cheese

Salsa (optional)

Tomato (optional)

Avocado (optional)

Lettuce (optional)

You start with Spanish rice and this recipe is super easy, I learned it when I was about 16 from my friend’s aunt and I have never forgotten it.  

{Spanish Rice}

{Ingredients} 

A drizzle of olive oil

1 Cup of uncooked rice

2 cloves of garlic

2 Cups of broth

¾ Cup of tomato sauce 

1/2 Can of corn (optional)

{Directions}

Put the oil in a medium or large sauce pan over medium heat

Add the rice to the oil and let it brown slightly, stir it frequently so that it doesn’t burn

Add the garlic and stir it around for a minute

Add in the broth and the tomato sauce, stir and bring to boil

Cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes

If you are adding the corn, stir it in now and allow it to warm (the heat from the rice will warm it up)

Next you will need some refried black beans, another super easy, quick recipe

{Refried Black Beans} 

{Ingredients}

A drizzle of olive oil

2 Cans of black beans (drained and rinsed well)

½ Teaspoon of garlic salt

1 Teaspoon of chili powder or Cajun seasoning

1 Cup of broth (Same kind that you used for the rice)

{Directions}

Put the oil in a medium or large sauce pan and add the beans over medium heat

Add the seasoning and the broth

Using a hand held blender or potato masher blend the beans to the texture you like, I like mine very blended (add more liquid if they seem too dry)

{Tostada Directions}

• Get a tostada shell and put a spoon full of black beans on top, smear it around
• Put the rice on top of the beans
• Top with cheese
• Add any extras that you like; salsa, tomatoes, lettuce, avocado