A very fun and easy meal, especially for kids. Tostadas! They love to build them and especially to eat ’em up! That crunch is the best. Some people might say ground beef is only for Taco Bell, but I’m here to tell you, some of us Mexicans DO eat ground beef tacos and tostadas at home. Maybe it depends on what region you’re from, but either way, don’t knock it till you try it. It’s all in adding flavor from some red chile and pairing with great salsa! Let’s start with the salsa since it can simmer as you get the tostadas together.

Cooked Tomato Salsa:

1 28-oz can diced tomatoes – $1.15
2 fresh Serrano or Jalapeno Peppers, diced – $.20
1 clove of garlic (crushed or fine diced) or 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt – $.10
1/4 diced onion – $.15
1 tsp canola oil – pantry
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano (can supplement with fresh) – pantry
Salt – pantry
Pepper – pantry

COST: $1.60

In a medium saucepan, heat oil and saute onion till translucent in color. About 4 mins or so. Add garlic and diced Serrano and saute 1 more minute. Add can tomato, oregano, salt and pepper to taste and simmer. It’s best to simmer at least 20 mins. Top with cilantro if you like.

Tostadas:

6 Corn Tortillas and 6 Flour tortillas (snack size) – $1.50
1 lb ground beef (lean) – $3.29
1/4 onion, diced – $.15
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese – $1.00
1/4 head iceberg lettuce, shredded – $.25
2 medium fresh tomatoes – $.50
1 cup canola oil – $.20
1 can refried beans – $.69
1 Tbsp Red Chile Powder – pantry
1/2 tsp garlic powder – pantry
1/2 tsp salt – pantry
1/4 tsp pepper – pantry

COST: $7.58

Fry up ground beef almost completely cooked. Add salt, pepper, garlic powder and chile powder. Stir and then add diced onion. Cook for 5 more minutes on medium heat and until beef is completely cooked. Cover and keep on very, very low heat to keep warm.

In separate small sauce pan, heat beans and also keep on low, low heat till ready to make tostadas.

Prepare toppings. Shred cheese. Shred lettuce and dice tomato. Set aside.

In small frying pan, heat oil until slightly smoky. About medium to medium high. Fry tortilla lightly on one side. Use tongs to turn and fry other side. You should be able to cook on both sides for about 1 minute each to get a golden brown and hard shell. If your color is turning to dark too fast, turn down oil. Remove tortilla when brown and crisp. Drain on paper towel. Repeat with all 12 tortillas. I like to do half with corn and half with flour. Your choice. Both are great! (NOTE: I add cheese here because I like it to melt on my tortilla. But that’s just my preference. Traditionally, it’s added in later when you build the Tostada)

Once tortillas are cooked, you’re ready to build your tostadas. With meat and beans warmed, place one to two tablespoons of beans on top of fried tortilla. Top with another two tablespoons of seasoned ground beef. Add shredded cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and salsa. You can add sour cream or guacamole if you like. We had sour cream on hand for ours, but if I find avocado on sale, I prefer that.

Repeat for all tostadas. Serve immediately. You can’t stop at one. I warn you! They’re addicting.

GRAND TOTAL: $9.18