Homemade Mini-Tostados (Tacos in a mini shell)

We went out to a new Mexican restaurant, my friend Marsha and I. We ate this weird thing called a "deep fried avocado" and it was pretty good. Not great, but good. It was too dry for me.

Oops! I took a picture of enchilada seasoning packet. It's supposed to be a Taco Seasoning packet! 

But it WAS pretty ingeniously made. I was in awe of how they did it!  It was filled with some spicy chicken and that was it. The avocado was peeled and sliced in 2 and filled with the meat. Then a dough was wrapped around the outside and deep fried.

I think I prefer my tacos in some kind of hard, crispy shell. I've always liked tacos much better than soft burritos. I just like the crunch better. So I love hard shell tacos better than soft tacos. But I did LOVE the avocado taste in with the spicy taco meat. So I'm going to do some crispy shell tostado shells with taco meat and yummy veggies inside.

I'm going to season my meat with salsa, a taco seasoning packet AND a tiny can of diced green chilis.

Maybe make some guacamole to put on top of your mini tostados. Just smash an avocado, add some salt and pepper, some lime juice and a few diced tomatoes. It's yummy as a topping!

But I would rather have corn tortillas. So I am going to try some version of the avocado spiced up with meat but with  some veggies and cilantro added for flavor and moistness.

Taco OR Tostado meat is super easy and can be used as a basic recipe for so many mexican dishes.

Then start frying up your corn tortillas in a little canola oil in your frying pan. Blot them dry on paper towels.

I used ground beef, fried up and drained, then I added a taco seasoning packet and some salsa and simmered it for about 6 minutes. 

After the meat is done add a small can of diced green chilis. It just MAKES the taco meat mixture so much BETTER!

 After your tortillas have dried a bit lay them over an upside down mason jar. place a paper towel over them. Then put a larger cup or measuring cup or bowl over the top and press them down to the shape of the mason jar. They should look like this after about 5 minutes.
I've made my own corn tortillas before with a tortilla press. They are even MORE yummy than regular tortillas from the grocery store. They are more time consuming though. But check out my tutorial HERE!

Here are my homemade tortillas. Check out the tutorial HERE.  There's nothing like a hot, homemade, corn tortilla!

Here is what the store bought ones look like when  your mini tostadoes are all done!

Ingredients for Taco/Tostado meat:
Serves 6 to 8
1 1/2 pounds of sliced flank steak spiced with Montreal Steak Seasoning and grilled
OR ground beef fried up and drained (either or, just depends on the time and $ you want to spend)
1 Cup of finely diced, medium salsa
1/2 (or more) cup water
1 small can diced green chilies
1 Taco Seasoning Packet
Let simmer for 10 minutes on low stirring occasionally. Add more water or salsa as desired.

Mini handmade tostado shells are fun and so easy! Great for a kid's party!

Use a larger bowl or measuring cup to press down over the shells laying on the mason jars. That will help them keep their shape.

 So, just press the tostado shells down and remove the cup and do another one. They will dry and keep their shape under the paper towel. 

Get your toppings ready, we are about done!

Fill each of the cute little tostado shells with meat and then let everybody do their own fillings!

 Put out some chopped tomatoes, olives, lettuce, cheese, sour cream, salsa, corn, avocado, fresh cilantro, whatever you like! It's FUN to do a taco/tostado bar for an easy KID'S party too!  Kids LOVE to do it themselves.

 This is how I like my mini tostados in a homemade shell. If you have some cute tiny bowls like this it is even better! You can also use clear custard dishes to set them in.

 Or even just plates since they really will keep their form once dried.

My grandkids love tacos in a tostado shell. They are so sweet, aren't they? And they are yummy too!