Tostadas Estilo Guadalajara- ( Fried Tortillas with Beans and Pig's Feet )

Classic Latin American Recipe

Serves: 6

Sauce Ingredients:
6 Medium Tomatoes (peeled, seeded and finely chopped)
1 cup Onions (finely chopped)
2 tspn. Dried Oregano
1/2 tspn. Garlic (finely chopped)
1 cup Red Wine Vinegar
1 tspn. Sugar
1 tspn. Salt

Other Ingredients:
4 cup Frijoles Refritos
5 tbls. Olive Oil or Vegetable Oil
2 tbls. Red Wine Vinegar
l/4 tspn. Salt
3 cups Iceberg Lettuce (finely shredded)
1/3 cup Lard
12 Tortillas
2 or 3 Pickled Pig's Feet (boned and coarsely chopped)
1 cup Onions(coarsely chopped)
Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
4 Canned Jalapeno Chilies (rinsed in cold water and cut lengthwise into I/8-inch strips)

Procedure:
Combine the tomatoes, 1 cup of finely chopped onions, oregano, garlic, vinegar, sugar and salt for the sauce in a bowl and, with a large spoon, mix them together thoroughly. Set the sauce aside.

For The Topping:
Prepare the frijoles refritos according to the recipe in recipe gallery (click here); cover them and keep them warm over the lowest possible heat. In a large bowl, beat the oil, vinegar and salt together until they are thoroughly combined. Drop in the lettuce and toss lightly with a spoon until the lettuce is coated evenly with the dressing.

Tostadas:
In a heavy 8- to 10-inch skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of the lard over moderate heat until a light haze forms above it. One at a time, fry the tortillas for 1 minute on each side, or until they are light gold. Drain on a double thickness of paper towels. As you proceed, replenish the lard in the pan, 1 tablespoon at a time, when necessary.

Assemble the Tostadas in the following fashion:
Place 2 tortillas side by side on each serving plate. Spread about l/3 cup of the refried beans on the surface of each tortilla, scatter l/4 cup of lettuce on the beans, then top with layers of pig's feet, coarsely chopped onions and finally the sauce. Sprinkle each tostada with 2 teaspoons of grated cheese and garnish with a few strips of jalapeno chili.

Other Related Links:
Classic Latin American Recipes