Roasted Bell Pepper Tostadas

Roasted Bell Pepper Tostadas are a delicious and versatile Mexican-inspired dish that combines the smoky flavor of roasted bell peppers with a variety of toppings on crispy tostada shells. Here's a basic recipe to get you started, but feel free to customize it to your liking.

Ingredients:

For the Roasted Bell Peppers:

• 3-4 bell peppers (red, yellow, or green)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Tostadas:

• Tostada shells (store-bought or homemade)
• Refried beans (canned or homemade)
• Shredded lettuce
• Sliced avocado
• Diced tomatoes
• Chopped cilantro
• Sliced jalapeños (optional, for heat)
• Grated cheese (such as cheddar or Monterey Jack)
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt (optional, for topping)

Instructions:

Roasting the Bell Peppers:

• a. Preheat your oven's broiler or grill to high heat. b. Place the bell peppers on a baking sheet and drizzle them with olive oil, salt, and pepper. c. Roast the peppers under the broiler or on the grill, turning them occasionally, until the skin is charred and blistered. This should take about 10-15 minutes. d. Remove the roasted peppers from the oven or grill and place them in a bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let them steam for about 10 minutes. This will make it easier to peel the skin. e. Once steamed, peel the skin off the peppers, remove the seeds and stems, and slice them into strips.
• Assembling the Tostadas: a. Spread a layer of refried beans onto each tostada shell. b. Top the beans with shredded lettuce, sliced avocado, diced tomatoes, chopped cilantro, and sliced jalapeños if you like it spicy. c. Add the roasted bell pepper strips on top of the vegetables. d. Sprinkle grated cheese over everything.
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• Optional: Heat the assembled tostadas in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes, just until the cheese melts and the tostadas are heated through.
• Serve your roasted bell pepper tostadas immediately, garnished with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt if desired.

Feel free to get creative with your toppings. You can add grilled chicken, shrimp, or ground beef for some protein or even drizzle some hot sauce or salsa for extra flavor. Roasted bell pepper tostadas are a fantastic meal that can be customized to suit your taste preferences, making them a favorite for many Mexican food lovers. Enjoy!