Before I get on with the recipe, let me first talk a little bit about Seattle. I’ve always been a bit non-pulsed about the Emerald City, but this time I’ve changed my mind. It’s not just a city with horrible gridlock or flannel shirts, it’s actually interesting, vibrant and full of character. I blame my new mindset on the food. We browsed the Ballard Farmer’s Market with Molly & Brandon and I was jealous. No offense Vancouver, but your farmer’s markets kind of suck in comparison. The largeness of it, the variety available, the quality! I was smitten. And the ginger biscuits & almond croissants that we had at Cafe Besalu before hand? Divine! I guess I was also pretty taken with some of Seattle’s residents, Molly & Brandon, who I had met a couple of years ago when they were in Vancouver for their honeymoon, and this time I got to meet the very lovely Tara of Tea & Cookies. If there was an arm-wrestle between Vancouver and Seattle it would be tough to pick a winner. But this time, Seattle, you won me over. Want a quick run-down of where we ate, what we drank and where we laid our pretty heads? Head over to my other blog for all the gory details.
Now, let’s get back on track here. Whenever we cross the border into Bellingham, we always make a stop at Casa Que Pasa (okay, I lied. This time, we ate elsewhere, but no matter.) The meals are cheap, the margaritas are strong and despite never ordering quesadillas at most Mexican restaurants, I always make an exception for the Green Magma. This beast of a quesadilla is filled with black beans, sprouted beans, lettuce and peanuts and I love every crunchy bite. It seems like a strange combo with the sprouts and the peanuts, but it’s probably one of the healthier things on the menu and it works really well.
When I noticed that I had corn tortillas in the fridge and peanuts in the cupboard, I knew that I would try my hand at a modified green magma. Instead of a quesadilla I went for a tostada format and I liked the results. It’s trickier to eat (and by tricky I mean messier), but its’ all part of the fun. It’s also really easy to veganify by just subbing in soy cheese or getting rid of it altogether. It’s not the cheese that makes this dish, it’s the crunch!
Oh and if I can bother you for one more thing, if you are in Vancouver this weekend please come on by my table at Got Craft and say hello! I’ll be there selling my handmade & illustrated greeting cards & birthday calendars along with a ton of other crafty peeps. If you are one of the first 30 people in line, Got Craft is handing out super cool bags filled with crafty swag! So swing by The Royal Canadian Legion on Commercial Drive at East 6th Ave. from 11am – 5pm. I hope to see you all there!
black bean tostadas with sprouted beans & peanuts
6 corn tortillas
1 T vegetable oil1 t vegetable oil
1/2 onion, diced
1 t cumin
1 t red chili flakes
1 can black beans, drained & rinsedgrated cheese
avocado, diced
fresh salsa
chopped romaine lettuce
sprouted beans
chopped peanuts1. Brush tortillas on both sides lightly with oil and place on cookie sheet. Bake at a 300 degree oven for 10 minutes until crisp.
2. Meanwhile, heat oil and add in onion and spices. Saute until onions are soft and add in black beans. Mash with a potato masher and stir around until heated through.
3. Add a tablespoon or so of beans to each tortilla and top with cheese, avocado, salsa, lettuce, sprouts and peanuts.
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Looks delicious. Farmers market shopping in Seattle with Molly sounds like so much fun! Seattle does have great markets, but I bet Vancouver still beats Chicago by a long shot.
I went to school in B-ham, so I too have many fond Casa memories (and when they expanded to the back & added margaritas – yes! genius!). I also ordered either the famous potato burrito or the green magma – depending on the season (potato burritos in the winter, since they're much heavier). I never thought to make my own variation – great idea!
These look delicious! I just may have to try the vegan version!
see now this is something I have in my pantry as I have gross amounts of peanuts and beans in the pantry. I would love to incorporate peanuts into tostadas.
Mmm the tostada looks delicious but I fear the mess I’d make eating it!
Glad to here you had fun in Seattle. And I wish I were closer to you, because I would be all over your table in a heartbeat. We have taco night every Friday at my house, so I’ll have to try these sometime. Thanks for sharing!
So nice to hang out with the two of you!
And boy, is this tostada making me hungry right now. Wonder if I’ve got any tortillas in the house…
Come back soon! I’ll take you to Ethiopian food:-)
PS. Been meaning to ask you–when you say “sprouted beans” what do you mean, and do you sprout them yourself or is this a purchased product?
Was recently given a sprouter. Don’t know what to do with it.
🙂
oooo, looks yum.
That looks totally delicious!! I love sprouting my own mung beans 🙂
So glad you had fun here in our lovely city. Glad to hear your liked Senor Moose – it’s a place we haven’t tried yet and I’m getting antsy!
That looks so healthy! Tostadas taste great and are so versatile. I used to buy chipotle flavoured tostadas at the supermarket in my old neighbourhood but my new neighbourhood supermarket market does not carry them. Boo!
Sounds like a fabulous trip; farmer’s markets and biscuits and croissants, and Mexican food. Oh, and perfect company, too. These tostadas look delicious. This just might be dinner tonight.
Honestly? This looks amazing, peanuts and all!Welcome back.
Gemma, I don’t know! Chicago may have one up on Van, but then again I’ve never been to a farmer’s market there!
Maija, I love their potato burritos too! Man, I’ve got some serious cravings now!
Jodye, try it, it’s yummy.
I think you’d love it, Dawn!
Eatme, it’s not that messy. I had no problems, but my husband made a mess. I think he’s just messy 😉
Haha, thanks Hayley, I’d love to be at your table too!
Tea, it really was awesome meeting you! As for the beans, I bought them (found them in the same area as regular alpha sprouts), but you could easily sprout your own lentils or peas!! I want a sprouter! I’m jealous.
Thanks Tree.
Steph, you are a better person than me 🙂 I bought my sprouts.
Dana, stop that antsy-ness and try it! It’s so good.
Bijoux, they’re pretty healthy and so tasty. I like the sound of chipotle tostadas!
Tara, I hope you did. It’s simple and fun to eat.
Thanks for the welcome, Aimee 🙂
Thanks for the sprout info. Yes, I have a sprouter, though it makes me feel like a hippie (and you know my thoughts on that:-)
Do you know that you can sprout in Mason jars, the big ones? You can buy plastic screw caps that screen the opening (found mine at health food coop for under $5). You let the lentils/beans soak in water overnight then drain, but you must rinse them twice a day.
The lids are like this (mine are plastic and come in bright colors):
http://www.sproutpeople.com/devices/jar/jar.html
Happy sprouting, if you swing that way:-)
I have to try this asap!! Looks like an early trip to the grocery store tomorrow morning.
Thanks for sharing such a great recipe.
I love the idea of crisping the tortillas in the oven! I do it when I make tortilla chips, but it never occurred to me to do it for tostados, as well! Lovely!
Looks delicious! Farmers’ markets are the best. I’ve never been to Seattle, but always wanted to go — have to check it out one of these days!
Yay – I’m visiting Seattle soon and will be checking out your rundown of places to eat and drink for sure!
Tea, I’ll look for a sprouter (in fact, I’ll hit up my friend who said she had an extra one for me!)
Enjoy, Megan!
Dynagrrl, oh yes, it’s the easiest way!
Seattle’s was wonderful, Cookie Pie!
Daily Spud, enjoy!
One of these days you have to get out to SF and go to my farmers’ market… 🙂
Delicious!
I’m planning on staying in Seattle for a couple of days and am looking into an affordable (ie not the Mariott!) and decent hotel/motel to stay in – any suggestions? Thanks!
Erika, I want to get out to SF soon!
Katina, we always stayed at the Moore Hotel, it's old & no-frills & right downtown (easy walks to belltown, capitol hill, pike place). But try Priceline, which is what we did this time around & we got a pretty fancy hotel for less than the Moore rate!
Thanks for the info! I think we’re going to check out a few of the restaurants you went to.
Katina, enjoy!!
Hi Jeannette! Just came back from Seattle, checked out the Ballard Market (you are sooo right – it beats out any farmers market in Vancouver! Amazing place to go to) and Casa Que Pasa – thanks for the recommendations!