Friday, November 6, 2015

California Mini Tostada Appetizer Recipe Ritz Crackers Inspired by My Hometown of L.A.


Good Food


I am partnering with Hire Influence, Southwest Airlines and Mondelez/Ritz Crackers for a food and travel inspired blog post series. This is a sponsored post, however opinions are my own.

#LuvRitzSweepstakes

VOTE for this Mini Tostadas Recipe and while you're there enter to WIN $5000 in Southwest Airlines giftcards.

Southern California living does have lots of advantages. Beyond the warm year round weather here making it possible to spend lots of time outdoors, one of the things I love most about the L.A. lifestyle is that the regional cuisine is heavily influenced by Mexican food. In fact the USA-Mexican border is just about a two hour drive south of where we live. Another plus is that avocados, my personal favorite Hispanic cooking ingredient, are grown locally, are inexpensive and almost always available in winter, spring, summer and fall.


So when I was asked to create some original recipes incorporating Ritz Crackers, this original easy-to-make California Mini Tostada recipe is one one I came up with which reflects my hometown city. This recipe can be made either with meat or as a vegetarian dish, so both carnivores and veggie lovers can enjoy it. 

Be sure to also check out the new Jamaica Coconut Pineapple Cheesecake recipe I also created using Ritz Crackers, inspired by my Southwest Airlines dream destination which is Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Recipe
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California Mini Tostadas

Time to Make: 1 hour
Makes 32 Appetizers

Ingredients
  • 1 T. olive oil
  • 1/4 large onion chopped
  • 6 ozs. ground beef or vegetarian protein alternative
  • 1/4 seeded & chopped red bell pepper
  • 3 minced garlic cloves
  • 2 t. cumin
  • 1 t. ground oregano
  • salt & pepper
  • 1 roll Ritz Crackers (32 crackers)
  • 6-8 roma tomatoes w/ diameter similar to crackers
  • 1 cup guacamole
  • 1/2 cup finely shredded cheddar cheese
  • fresh oregano sprigs to garnish
Directions

Make the Tostada Filling

1. On the stove top heat olive oil in skillet over medium heat, add chopped onion and saute till golden. Add chopped pepper and minced garlic and continue to cook for another 2 minutes.

2. Add cumin, ground oregano, salt and pepper, and ground beef or veggie protein alternative. Gently stir all, cooking until well-browned, about 10-12 minutes.

3. Set aside ground meat/veggie filling to cool.


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Assemble the Mini Tostadas

4. Layout Ritz crackers right side up on a clean, dry work surface.


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5. Cut roma tomatoes crosswise into 1/4" thick circles and place one on each cracker.

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6. Using a small spoon transfer about a teaspoon full of the meat mixture onto the top of each tomato slice, pressing gently so it stays on the appetizers.


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7. Carefully spoon approximately 1 t. of guacamole onto top of the meat mixture on each appetizer.


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8. Top guacamole on each appetizer with a small amount of grated cheddar cheese.

9. Transfer to platter and add the fresh oregano sprigs to garnish.

10. Pass around the appetizer platter to your guests and watch them enjoy your creation.




About Southwest Airlines
Dallas-based Southwest Airlines is in its 44th year of service with 47,000 employees serving 100 million customers each year. The airline operates 3,600 flights per day, serving 94 destinations across the U.S. including my hometown of L.A. and six additional countries. For more information visit the official website as well as follow Southwest on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.


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About Ritz Crackers
Ritz Crackers are a classic snack which has been enjoyed for generations. They're widely available and easy to find in markets across America. Flavors to choose from include Original, Whole Wheat, Bacon, Garlic Butter and other varieties. Learn about Ritz Crackers on the official website where you'll also find lots more delicious recipes. You can also stay up on everything the brand is doing and get more ideas of how to enjoy Ritz Crackers by following them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Google+.

BIG #LuvRitzSweepstakes GIVEAWAY

Remember to VOTE for this Mini Tostadas Recipe and while you're there enter to WIN $5000 in Southwest Airlines giftcards.

FTC Disclosure: In concert with Hire Influence, I am being compensated for this Southwest Airlines and Mondelez/Ritz Crackers blog series campaign. However opinions here are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's home page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

25 comments:

  1. What an awesome recipe! I love how easy it is to prepare and that everyone in my family loves it.

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  2. These are the perfect appetizer. They will be such a hit at my next party.

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  3. This looks like a delicious appetizer my family would love! I will surely be making this at out next holiday event.

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  4. Those look delicious. I love fresh appetizers like this, and Ritz is always a winner.

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  5. This looks awesome! Great appetizer to start a holiday party! I have all these ingredients so I will be making this for my Thanksgiving day party!

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  6. I love this idea of this snack. I seriously could eat a whole plate of these.

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  7. These look really tasty. I will be saving this recipe to try out. I love Ritz crackers.

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  8. Oh this is a great idea. This would be a big hit in our house, I am sure we'd all enjoy this! - Jeanine

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  9. I bought the supplies for this and made them this evening. They were a hit with my family, so thank you for sharing.

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  10. What a great way to dress up the cracker. I know my Hubs would love this!

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  11. Oh my goodness... these look delicious. This would be perfect for our holiday gatherings... so easy and delicious

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  12. What a great, simple appetizer! I love Ritz crackers! They're so versatile, from snack to fancy passed hors-d'oeuvres.

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  13. I use Ritz for everything- this is another great party serving option! I think I'd garnish with cherry tomatoes, instead of slices, otherwise, it's perfect!

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  14. Oh wow this is such an awesome appetizer idea. I need to start buying Ritz for parties more regularly.

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  15. Another genius way to use Ritz crackers. I bet this tastes as good as it looks.

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  16. These mini tostadas look delicious. These would make for great party foods this holiday season.

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  17. These are awesome. My kids would love them.

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  18. Those look great! I think I will make these for my family's Thanksgiving party.

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  19. Oh wow, they look awesome. This will be a hit at any party.

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  20. These are so cute! What a great party appetizer!

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  21. This is such a great easy idea! I bet my son would love these

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  22. Ritz crackers are one of my favorite snacks. These look so good!

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  23. These will be perfect for my holiday entertaining. We love Ritz crackers in my family.

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  24. Tostadas are a great appetizer and perfect for the upcoming holiday party season. I love that these use Ritz crackers. I love those!

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  25. What a yummy sounding recipe. I am in the process of bookmarking sites that have recipes I want to try before the holidays and I am adding this on to that page.

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