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Mini Polenta Tostadas

in Entrees, Other

polenta tostadas

 

 

 

 

 

Remember these?  I posted about these Mini Polenta Tostadas a couple of days ago in my What I Ate Wednesday post for the week.  You have probably gotten used to me posting tease pictures during my WIAW posts, and then not following up with a recipe post for several weeks.  Well, because these are so delicious and because I am feeling extra nice, I am posting this one only four days later.  I think that is a bit of an improvement, am I right? 😉

If you love Mexican-inspired dishes (and seriously, who doesn’t?), then you are really going to enjoy these!  Plus, it does not get much easier than the recipe that I am about to share…if you can even call it that!

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Mini Polenta Tostadas

Servings: Makes approximately 15 mini tostadas (2 servings if serving as a meal)

Ingredients

olive oil cooking spray
1 roll of polenta (I used Melissa’s organic)
1 cup vegetarian refried beans
shredded lettuce
red onion, diced
red bell pepper, diced
tomatoes, diced
salsa
shredded cheese or nutritional yeast, if desired

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 415 degrees F.  Spray a foil-lined baking sheet with olive oil cooking spray.

2. Slice polenta into half-inch thick pieces (mine made 15 slices).  Place the polenta slices onto the baking sheet, lightly spray with olive oil cooking spray, and bake for approximately 10-12 minutes.

3. Flip the polenta slices over, lightly spray the second side with olive oil cooking spray, and bake for an additional 10 to 12 minutes, or until they begin to become golden brown.

4. While the polenta is baking, warm the refried beans and prepare the tostada toppings.

5. Compile the tostadas in this order: one polenta slice, refried beans, shredded lettuce, onions, peppers, tomatoes, salsa, and cheese or nutritional yeast (if using).

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Now who am I kidding?  These mini tostadas are totally cute, right?  But not only are they visually appealing, they are also very appealing to the taste buds!  The savory flavor and crisp texture of the polenta combined with the traditional Mexican tostada toppings makes for an absolutely delicious meal or appetizer.  How fabulous would it be to serve these at your next get-together with Mexican food, margaritas, and beer?  Sign me up for that!  Now I will just have to remember to come back to this recipe once Cindo de Mayo rolls around again next year.

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I am officially a polenta lover.  So far, I have found that it is great to use when making polenta pizzas, and now I see that it is just as delicious in Mexican-inspired food.  For those of you who are experienced polenta cookers/eaters, what should I try next?  Please share with me your favorite recipes/dishes that use polenta! 🙂

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{ 60 comments… add one }
  • Christine@ Apple of My Eye June 30, 2013, 9:26 am
    Those look SO cute! I'm a sucker for mini foods and if they're as delicious as you say, I'll have to try them out asap!
  • Katherine June 30, 2013, 9:43 am
    I love little hand food like this! I'm seriously a polenta fan, so I could totally dig these. They look like the perfect dish for a party!
  • celestedimilla June 30, 2013, 9:48 am
    These look so simple - what a wonderful idea!! Celeste :)
  • Michelle @ Eat Move Balance June 30, 2013, 12:13 pm
    I don't know why I never have polenta. The one time I bought some and made a dinner with it, it was so good! And it's so versatile, too. Thanks for the ideas!
  • Brittany @ Freckled Nettles June 30, 2013, 12:36 pm
    I have never tried polenta. I'm seeing it pop up more and more lately! I think I'll definitely have to purchase and try it. Thanks for the simple, savory idea!
    • cleaneatingveggiegirl June 30, 2013, 12:41 pm
      Oh, you should definitely try it! This is a great recipe to do so, too, since it is SO easy!
  • Marie @ Little Kitchie June 30, 2013, 3:11 pm
    YES! Was waiting for this recipe - looks SO good!
  • kelly @ hidden fruits and veggies June 30, 2013, 4:13 pm
    I've never bought prepared polenta (and just made it for the first time a few weeks ago!) but this looks killer. I love Mexican anything, and I definitely love polenta. I wish I hadn't just gotten back from the grocery store... next week! :)
    • cleaneatingveggiegirl June 30, 2013, 4:22 pm
      It never fails. I always seem to find great recipes AFTER going to the store! But yes, next week. Please let me know what you think :).
  • yogachic1212 June 30, 2013, 7:02 pm
    I loveeee polenta! this sounds amazing!!
  • kimathungryhealthygirl June 30, 2013, 7:40 pm
    It's been so long since I've tried polenta, but I really liked it. These are so cute and I'm thinking maybe the kiddos would even eat them!
  • Jan @ Sprouts n Squats June 30, 2013, 9:45 pm
    I don't think we have polenta premade like that here, only the dry stuff you have to make up. I could probably try and make a pan and bake it then cut it into rounds?
    • cleaneatingveggiegirl July 1, 2013, 7:22 am
      What a bummer, but yes, I think that baking a pan of it and then using a cookie cutter would definitely work!!
  • blonde hair blue eyed runner June 30, 2013, 11:26 pm
    Oh my gosh those are super cute and look just as yummy. I don't drink beer, so I would prob not use that, but they still seem like they would be way good!
  • AnnaTheApple July 1, 2013, 2:18 am
    These look adorable and so scrummy. I haven't used polenta before but sounds good.
  • Tiff July 1, 2013, 8:21 am
    Yum! I really like polenta. Such a great texture!
  • Liz @ I Heart Vegetables July 1, 2013, 8:33 am
    Those look SO good! I love Tostadas, so those sound delicious!
  • Erin July 1, 2013, 8:39 am
    I've never had polenta any way other than in an Italian dish- polenta with mexican toppings sounds so good!
    • cleaneatingveggiegirl July 1, 2013, 11:12 am
      I always associated it with Italian dishes, too, but when I was eating my mini pizzas I suddenly got the idea of tostadas! I am glad that I did.
  • megbek July 1, 2013, 9:08 am
    What is polenta? I'm living under a rock? But those look so good and I love Mexican anything, really. :)
    • cleaneatingveggiegirl July 1, 2013, 11:13 am
      It is essentially corn meal. You can buy it in a box and make it yourself, but I find buying it in the roll MUCH easier!
  • Julia July 1, 2013, 9:16 am
    Oh so brilliant! I love polenta and anything tostada-esque. Very clever meal indeed!
  • Alyssa @ Road to RD July 1, 2013, 9:30 am
    I don't think I've ever had polenta before. Looks yummy!
    • cleaneatingveggiegirl July 1, 2013, 11:13 am
      I just tried it for the first time about a month ago. It definitely will not be the last time!
  • Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health July 1, 2013, 10:56 am
    i have a half tub of polenta that needs some desperate use - trying this today
  • kathysteger July 1, 2013, 11:37 am
    Love love love love this. I am such a polenta junkie. Can't wait to try
  • Brittany July 1, 2013, 11:50 am
    I first tried polenta about a year ago and was so surprised by how much I loved it! The toppings are what make this dish look SO amazing! YUM!
    • cleaneatingveggiegirl July 1, 2013, 12:08 pm
      I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it, too! It is so fun to find new and tasty products :).
  • Tara July 1, 2013, 12:29 pm
    You had me at tostadas! I never tried them with polenta on top, these look amazing!
  • makingthymeforhealth July 1, 2013, 1:49 pm
    These are adorable and would make a perfect appetizer for a 4th of July get together!
    • cleaneatingveggiegirl July 1, 2013, 1:57 pm
      Thank you! And yes, they would! Plus, they are so easy to make, which would make them even better for a get together.
  • Jamie H. July 1, 2013, 1:55 pm
    Polenta is another food I've always wanted to try, but have never eaten other than at a restaurant. This seems like the perfect recipe to start off with. Thanks!
  • Alex @ Cookie Dough Katzen July 1, 2013, 3:27 pm
    Polenta is so versatile. These look divine!
  • Melanie @ beautifullynutty July 1, 2013, 9:16 pm
    I love these! They are so cute. They would be perfect as an appetizer too. LOVE!! Great job!
  • ashley July 1, 2013, 11:26 pm
    I love polenta! It tried to make it once and it was a complete disaster (made it into my kitchen disasters post earlier this year) haha. Maybe I'll give it another shot!
  • eatgreatbegreat July 3, 2013, 5:08 pm
    I love polenta! I grew up eating it all the time! These tostadas look terrific!
  • Em @ Love A Latte July 8, 2013, 2:03 pm
    Fun post! :) Your dogs are seriously adorable. I love yellow too!

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