-
1
Combine the onion, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
-
2
Add the chicken breasts, bay leaves, and oregano and decrease the heat to a simmer.
-
3
Cook the chicken, partially covered, for 35 minutes, until cooked through.
-
4
To check for doneness, slit the chicken in half to make sure the interior is no longer pink; the juices should run clear.
-
5
Allow the chicken to cool in the broth.
-
6
When cool enough to handle, remove the chicken from the pan.
-
7
Shred the chicken by hand by pulling apart the fibers of the chicken with your fingers, and set aside.
-
8
If desired, strain the broth and reserve for future use.
-
9
Put the red onion in a small bowl and pour in enough red wine vinegar to cover well.
-
10
Set aside for at least 30 minutes.
-
11
In a small bowl, toss together the avocado, tomato, cilantro, and juice of 1 lime.
-
12
Season with salt to taste.
-
13
Set aside.
-
14
The amount of ingredients used for the topping is up to you.
-
15
You are going to create two tostadas and place one on top of the other, so do not overfill them or they will not stack up.
-
16
Place a tostada shell on a plate and top with shredded lettuce, marinated onion, shredded chicken, black beans, crumbles of queso fresco, and avocado-tomato salad.
-
17
Drizzle some crema over it and top with a second tostada and toppings.
-
18
Once stacked, garnish the tostada sitting on top with a sprig of cilantro and serve with a lime wedge.
-
19
INGREDIENTS
-
20
Tostadas
-
21
You can buy commercial tostada shells or fry your own.
-
22
Commercial tostada shells are basically large tortilla chips.
-
23
Buy your favorite brand, but try to find tostadas that are 6 to 9 inches wide, round, and flat.
-
24
Tostada Toppings
-
25
The toppings listed in this recipe are only a guide.
-
26
Feel free to eliminate or substitute any ingredient.
-
27
And use as much or as little of them as you please.
-
28
TECHNIQUES
-
29
Homemade Tostadas
-
30
To make homemade fried tortillas for tostadas, purchase 6-inch corn tortillas.
-
31
Pour 2 inches of olive oil into a shallow pan and heat over medium high heat.
-
32
When the oil is hot, add the tortillas, one at a time, and fry until golden brown on both sides.
-
33
Remove from the pan, place in a paper towellined dish, and sprinkle with salt.
-
34
ADVANCE PREPARATION
-
35
All of the toppings can be prepared well in advance and the tostada assembled just before serving.
-
36
An option when serving tostadas is to set out all the toppings and allow your guests to create their own tostadas.
-
37
That will not only ensure they get a tostada of their liking, but also that you will have made a stress-free meal.
