Smoky Black Bean and Avocado Tostadas

Tostadas are a crisp, open-faced way to serve seasoned beans and fresh toppings. Bake the tortillas on a sheet pan instead of frying them, and mash some of the beans so the toppings have a sturdy base. Assemble at the table to keep each tortilla crunchy.

Serves: 4, 2 tostadas each
Prep: 12 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 8 small corn tortillas
• 1 tablespoon neutral oil
• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 cup finely shredded cabbage
• 1 ripe avocado, sliced
• 1/3 cup plain yogurt
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
• 1/2 cup salsa

Method

1. Heat the oven to 400°F. Brush both sides of each tortilla lightly with oil and arrange in a single layer on two baking sheets.
2. Bake for 7 minutes, turn the tortillas, and bake 5 to 7 minutes more until crisp and lightly browned. Cool on a rack.
3. While the tortillas bake, warm beans, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and water in a small saucepan for 5 minutes.
4. Mash about half the beans with a fork so the mixture is thick but still textured.
5. Stir yogurt and lime juice together. Spread beans over each crisp tortilla, then add cabbage, avocado, salsa, cilantro, and lime yogurt.
6. Serve immediately, keeping any extra toppings separate until the next tortilla is ready to eat.

Variations

Use pinto beans in place of black beans, or add corn kernels to the pan for the final 2 minutes of warming. Offer pickled onions or hot sauce at the table. For a dairy-free topping, thin a tablespoon of tahini with lime juice and water.

Storage and reheating

Store baked tortillas in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Refrigerate the bean mixture and cut avocado separately; use the beans within 4 days. Reheat the beans until hot and assemble each tostada just before serving.

Read the work-from-home lunch guide and grocery list for pantry basics for more ways to plan lunch. Add this recipe to the Lucru Home grocery list and list any missing ingredients before shopping.