Homemade Tostadas

We loved these! The kids too. And they are super easy to make.

Get some corn tortillas (you could use flour if you want too). Put a baking pan in the oven and preheat to 450. After the oven in preheated oil the pan. NOT TOO MUCH just to coat it. Then i sprayed some pam on top of the tortillas so they wouldnt dry out and baked. You need to turn them over a few times to make sure it gets crispy. I got impatient and turned the broiler on and turned them over a few times. It did it fast, but you have to watch them closely.

For the toppings I got some refried beans and warmed them up and put a layer on the torillas

Then the sour cream I added a few Tablespoons of taco seasoning (to taste) to it and mixed then put that on the next layer

then i made some guacamole (you could buy some) and put that on next

then comes the shredded cheese. any kind you prefer

then olives, tomatoes, green onions and jalapenos!

Super easy and fast. I think I had dinner ready in 15 minutes! The longest part is cooking the tortillas

Mexican Casserole

I found this recipe over at The Sisters Cafe. I have to say it was AWESOME!!!

1 lb. ground turkey or lean ground beef
1 large onion, chopped

1-2 garlic cloves minced

1 packet Taco Seasoning mix (1/4 cup)  (I only used a few tablespoons)

chili powder to taste

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can diced tomatoes, drained (if you like spice i recommend ones with chilies in them)
1 can cream of mushroom soup
8-10 corn tortillas (12 oz package)
3-4 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
Haas avocado, sliced
sour cream

fresh cilantro

Brown meat with diced onions and garlic over medium heat. Add chili powder, taco seasoning, black beans, tomatoes, and cream of mushroom soup. Stir to combine and warm through. In 9x13 inch pan, place a small amount of meat mixture on bottom (so tortillas won't stick). Place a layer of corn tortillas down, then a layer of the meat mixture, and sprinkle on a little cheese. Repeat with another layer of corn tortillas, a layer of meat mixture... and top with remaining shredded cheese. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Serve topped with sliced avocado, sour cream, and fresh cilantro.

* When layering to tortillas I found it much easier to rip them in half so you are using 6 halves on each layer. That way the tortillas are spread out a bit more*

-you could EASILY make this into a vegetarian meal by taking out the meat and adding a few different kinds of beans. -