A Salad with Crunch and Substance: Bean and Vegetable Tostadas

Ingredients

• Vegetable oil, for frying
• 4 (6-inch) corn tortillas
• 2 pinches coarse salt
• 1 (14-ounce) can spicy vegetarian refried beans (vegetarian beans contain no lard)
• 1 cup shredded smoked Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper Jack
• 1 heart Romaine lettuce or 1/2 head of iceberg lettuce, shredded
• 2 small plum tomatoes, diced
• 1 small white skinned onion, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons (a palm full) chopped cilantro or parsley

Directions

Heat 1/8 to 1/4-inch oil over medium high heat. Fry tortillas 30 seconds on each side to light golden, 1 tortilla at a time. Drain tortillas on brown paper sack. Season with a little coarse salt while hot.

Heat beans in microwave or small pan over moderate heat. Spread hot beans on tortillas and top with a handful of shredded smoked Cheddar or Jack cheese. Top cheese with shredded lettuce, diced tomato bits, and chopped onion. Garnish tostadas with chopped fresh cilantro or parsley and serve.