Hank’s Fiesta Tostadas

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You won’t find these tostadas in any restaurant because this is an original recipe from Cocina California. The visual array of colors triggers a savory appetite and a host of flavors deliver a delectable comfort food. The recipe works for a large group and it’s great for a self-service buffet. Make them with either pork, chicken, or beef (or beans for the vegetarian). Store bought tostadas work great with this recipe.

Ingredients

Makes 15 tostadas

Shredded Pork

6-8 cups water

3 pounds boneless Pork shoulder

1 medium onion, quartered

1½ tablespoons salt

2 cloves garlic smashed

1 bay leaf

1/2 teaspoons whole allspice

12-15 whole peppercorns

2 celery stalks w leaves at rough-cut length

Tostada Filling

3 cups thinly sliced red cabbage

3 cups thinly sliced green cabbage

½ cup fresh red (bell) pepper julian cut in 2 inch lengths

½ cup fresh orange or yellow (bell) pepper Julian cut in 2 inch lengths

1 cup diced scallions

1 cup chopped cilantro

¼ cup limejuice

½ cup extra virgin olive oil

Optional: 1 – 2 teaspoons of finely diced fresh Serrano or Jalapeno peppers.

Preparation

Pork

Combine pork, quartered onion, celery, spices and salt in large stockpot and add enough water to cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Cook, covered, for 2 to 21/2 hours or until meat is very tender. Remove pork. Strain broth; reserve 1 cup for meat filling (remaining broth may be refrigerated or frozen for future use). Shred pork when cool and set aside.

Assembly

In a large bowl, gently fold in the cabbage, fresh peppers, scallions, cilantro, lime juice and olive oil. Secondly, gently fold in the pork to make a homogenous mixture adding reserve broth and/or olive oil as needed to moisten the mixture. Salt and pepper to taste as you go.

Plating

As a self-service buffet item set the bowl out next to a stack of tostadas and instruct your guest to place the filling on a tostada shell (Yes, there’s always someone who doesn’t know this). Set out a dish of finely diced serrano or jalapeño pepper for those who like it hot.

Notes

Alternatively you can prepare the pork and chicken breast by roasting at 350 fahrenheit until it reaches the proper temperature. Once cooled, these shred easily. Store bought tostadas come in 24 and 32 count but since you will always have broken tostadas in every package, buy 3 packs to be sure you have sufficient tostadas for a large group.

Buen Provecho!

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