TORTILLAS, CHEESE AND A STEAK PART II

BAKED EGG AND CHEESE TOSTADAS

We are using two kinds of cheese because we have both and it sounds good.

An easy fun Western-style breakfast, the original recipe was in a Sunset Magazine from 1980's or 1990's.  When Daughter lived across the country from the cottage, this was always the "must have" breakfast when we got together.  We have changed the recipe over the years refining it to make it somewhat figure friendly.  The refried beans and green onions are a must to compliment the cheesey egg of the tostadas.  All the different textures and flavors meld to make the whole much greater than the parts.

4 flour tortillas, 7 to 8-inch size
2 c shredded Cheddar cheese, about 8 oz. or a half a pound
4 large eggs
Black pepper, if desired
1 (15oz.) can refried beans
1/4 c chopped green onions
Salsa

Preheat oven to 500. In a pan sprayed with cooking spray, heat refried beans. Dip one tortilla at a time in water; drain briefly and place flat on lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake at 500 for 3 to 4 minutes; tortillas should start to puff. Remove from oven and sprinkle one-fourth of the cheese evenly around outer edges of each tortilla. Cover edges completely to prevent excess browning. Break an egg onto the center of each tortilla; sprinkle with black pepper, if desired. Immediately return pans to oven and bake until eggs are set the way you like; allow 4 to 5 minutes for soft yolks with firm whites. Time depends on your oven, check after 4 to 5 minutes and continue cooking for a couple of minutes more if necessary.  At once, carefully loosen tostadas from pans with a wide spatula. Sprinkle refried beans with green onion. Serve the tostadas with refried beans and salsa.  NOTE: If you want a firmer yolk, poke yolk with a fork a couple of times before putting the tostadas in the oven the second time.

We use refried black beans because Tom likes black beans; use your favorite kind.

Dip tortilla in water.

Drain briefly.

Place on cookie sheet sprayed with cooking spray.

Tortillas puffing up after first baking.

Put on the cheese.

Break egg into the center of the cheese.

Return to oven.

Sprinkle heated refried beans with green onions.

Finished baking, one egg slipped but still good to eat.

Top with salsa as desired and enjoy.