8 Burners: Real Mexican Tostados with salsa and guacomole

I named this recipe Real Mexican Tostados because this recipe is from a friend of mine from Mexico City. She was born and raised there and this is originally her Moms recipe...who also is a Native of Mexico. This is my most prized recipe, when my friends or family hear I am making this, they come running.....the taste of the meat sauce makes this recipe. You just can't eat one and by the time your done, you are seriously sick...haha....its a good sick though......so here it is.....I hope you enjoy it as my family has for many years.

3 lbs ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
4 medium Tomato's, chopped
2 large potato's chopped into small pieces
4 garlic cloves
3/4 oz paprika (1/2 tin)
1 tablespoon cumin seed
1 cup water
salt and pepper to taste

Suggested Toppings for assembly

Lettuce
Tomato
sour cream
black olives
cheese (Mexican blend is what I use)
salsa (recipe below)
guacamole (recipe below)

In a food processor or blender, add the garlic, onion,cumin seeds and water and blend well (you want a runny consistency)

. Add hamburger in large stock pot or dutch oven, add garlic mixture and all the other ingredients. Cooking on high mix all the ingredients together.

NOTE: you are not browning the hamburger with the liquid garlic mixture and the tomatoes it basically boils the hamburger, so use a good quality hamburger. Turn the mixture on medium and occasionally stir....meanwhile fry your tortillas....recipe below

1 package of Corn Tortillas
enough corn oil to cover Tortillas to fry

I use the 100 count tortillas....big family but you don't have to use as many..also the new already fried tortillas are great for the left over sauce but I highly recommend you fry your own...it makes a big BIG difference.
puncture each tortilla with a fork, this keeps the tortilla from puffing up when frying...place in hot oil at 350 degrees and fry (I use a deep fryer), turning over to brown each side...you want a light brown not dark look.....they fry quickly so keep an eye on them...remove from oil and stand up on a paper towel lined pan...

To assemble tostadas you take your fried tortilla add meat sauce on top, cheese, lettuce, tomato's, fresh salsa...recipe is posted below and in the sauce section, fresh guacamole, cilantro and sour cream.....these are my favorites but you can add your own favorites....

Salsa Recipe

10 Tomato's
2 jalapenos
4 cloves of garlic
1 large onion
1 cup of Cilantro
salt to taste

Place all the Tomato's and Jalapenos in a large stock pot and cover with water. Bring to a simmer, This is to loosen the skin of the tomato's so you can peel them

This is how they look when they are done.....drain the water out, let cool and peel each tomato

See....super easy to peel

Cut each tomato into quarters and add to food processor (I do each step one ingredient at a time, due to the consistency I want and heat)

these are cut in half and I suggest you do it in quarters, you may end up with big chunks...I like my salsa chunky but not huge chunks.

pour the tomato's in a bowl. Cut the onions, garlic and jalapenos (I remove the seeds and vein of jalapeno) to food processor and pulse till they are in small chunks

Add this mixture to your bowl of tomato's and stir well

as you can see I make a huge bowl of this....my kids love it and want to have enough for the day after our tostado meal.....

chop your cilantro add it to the salsa mix well, taste for salt (you will need to add a good amount of salt)

My Yummy HUGE bowl of salsa......all fat free too!!!!!!

Guacamole Recipe

5 Avocados

1 large onion

1/4 cup of Cilantro

Juice from one whole Lime

1 Tomato

salt and pepper to taste

Cut Avocado in half, remove pit. With a spoon go around the edges of avocado and spoon out in to a bowl, with a fork mash the avocado until small chunks and creamy. Chop Onion into small cubes, chop Cilantro and cut Tomato into small cubes...add to avocado and mix well...add the fresh lime juice over the mixture and stir, coating all the avocado. salt for taste

Note: I always forget to take a picture making the guacamole due to the fact its always the last thing I make and I am always in a hurry.........YIKES..sorry