Beef and Bean Tostadas

This is another one of my dad's recipes.  I doubled it since he and made it for my mother and himself.  My daughter, who only likes fish and chicken, declared this delicious!  You can buy prepared refried beans or you can take a can of pinto beans, add some water, salt, chili, garlic and onion powder and microwave until hot.  Mash, adding water if necessary, until you have reached the desired consistency.  Fry in a pan with canola oil for 2 minutes.  Another trick, I thin the sour cream with water so I can drizzle it over the top instead of ending up with a thick clumps.

Ingredients:

1 lb of lean ground beef

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp creole seasoning

1 tsp onion powder

1tbsp chili powder

2/3 cup of prepared salsa

1/2 cup water

Olive oil

Salt & Pepper

1 flour tortilla per person

Canola Oil

For Toppings - I like to make a toppings bar so everyone can make their own

Refried beans, chopped fresh tomatoes, shredded lettuce, minced red onions or sliced scallions, salsa, sour cream, grated cheddar cheese, diced avocado

In a large skillet, heat a small amount of olive oil and add the ground beef.  Cook the ground beef until browned, breaking up with a spatula.  Drain fat if necessary.  Mix the garlic, onion and chili powder together with the creole seasoning and then add to the fully cooked beef and sauté, stirring for about 2 minutes.  Add the salsa and water and season with salt and pepper to taste.  Bring to a boil and turn off until you are ready to serve.

Heat about a 1/4 inch of canola oil in another skillet and fry tortillas until brown on one side, about 1 minute, and then flip to brown the other side.  Sprinkle salt lightly over to taste.  To serve, take crispy tortillas, spread refried beans over.  Top with beef mixture, salsa, onions, tomatoes, avocado, cheese.  Then pile the lettuce in the center and drizzle with thinned sour cream.