When my family gets together, it can be a challenge to feed everyone. My sister can’t eat dairy products and a number of other foods that I can eat. I can’t eat gluten, nightshade vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, eggplant), and a laundry list of other foods. My son-in-law wants meat in his dinner. And at times, my son has been a vegetarian. Then, we also have small grandchildren to feed.
I know you are thinking that there is no one food we can cook that will make everyone happy. But you’re wrong! The best solution is to have “mix and match” foods, such as a pasta salad with variable ingredients that can be added individually, or this tostada recipe that made everyone happy—even the ten-month-old baby.
Tostadas for the Family
Meat Filling:
2 lbs. natural or organic fresh ground chicken
1 medium onion, diced or minced
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon ground cumin
salt and pepper
Tortillas:
Corn tortillas
Vegetable oil for frying
At Table:
Grated cheddar cheese mixed with Colby-Jack cheese
Sour cream
Diced avocados
Diced tomatoes
Sliced black olives
Sliced green onions
Fresh cilantro
Salsa
Cook meat with onion and garlic, stirring often. When cooked, add cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook on low an additional 5-10 minutes so that flavors will blend. If very dry, add a little cold water.
As meat cooks, prepare items for the table, grating cheeses and chopping vegetables. Keep each ingredient in a separate container.
Right before dinner, heat about one-half inch of oil on medium high heat in a small skillet (slightly larger than your tortillas). Fry tortillas briefly on each side, turning with tongs after about 20 seconds. Drain on a paper towel-covered plate. Continue adding paper towels to create layers as needed. Make 2-3 tortillas per person.
To assemble, have everyone start with tortillas, adding their selected toppings. Tostadas can be eaten as is or microwaved to melt cheese.
I topped my tostada with meat, cheese, sour cream, green onions, olives, and cilantro. My sister ate hers with meat, salsa, avocado, tomatoes, and other veggies. My son-in-law ate his with meat, cheese, salsa, and olives. And my baby grandson took fistfuls of avocado, cheese, and meat, asking for more as only a baby can—with a yelp. Everyone was happy, everyone’s dietary needs and preferences were met, and everyone left the table full and satisfied.
These tostadas are also easy to reheat (yes, even though they are fried). I put the fried tortillas in the freezer, and they thawed without a problem, as did the meat that I had frozen in individual portions.
So try these tostadas for your next family gathering. It won’t matter if you have picky eaters who only want meat or hate vegetables, and you’ll be able to live gluten free and grateful.
These tostadas are also easy to reheat (yes, even though they are fried). I put the fried tortillas in the freezer, and they thawed without a problem, as did the meat that I had frozen in individual portions.
So try these tostadas for your next family gathering. It won’t matter if you have picky eaters who only want meat or hate vegetables, and you’ll be able to live gluten free and grateful.
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