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!
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).
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.
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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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!
Oh, they definitely are! You must try them :).
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!
These definitely make the perfect meal OR appetizer. I love them :).
These look so simple – what a wonderful idea!! Celeste 🙂
Thank you! And yes, they are beyond simple to make!
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!
It really is SO good and versatile. I definitely plan to cook with it more often!
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!
Oh, you should definitely try it! This is a great recipe to do so, too, since it is SO easy!
YES! Was waiting for this recipe – looks SO good!
Haha, well I hope that you enjoy them! Please let me know what you think!
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! 🙂
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 :).
I loveeee polenta! this sounds amazing!!
I am now hooked on polenta! And thank you! You should definitely try these.
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!
Oh, I bet they sure might! You’ll have to let me know if you try them :).
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?
What a bummer, but yes, I think that baking a pan of it and then using a cookie cutter would definitely work!!
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!
Aren’t they so cute? They make me smile ;).
These look adorable and so scrummy. I haven’t used polenta before but sounds good.
Oh, you should definitely change that! It is delicious and SUPER easy to make :).
Yum! I really like polenta. Such a great texture!
I know, right? I especially love the crispy texture that it gets when it is baked!
Those look SO good! I love Tostadas, so those sound delicious!
Me too! They are one of my favorite Mexican dishes :).
I’ve never had polenta any way other than in an Italian dish- polenta with mexican toppings sounds so good!
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.
What is polenta? I’m living under a rock? But those look so good and I love Mexican anything, really. 🙂
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!
Oh so brilliant! I love polenta and anything tostada-esque. Very clever meal indeed!
Thank you! Please let me know if you try it!
I don’t think I’ve ever had polenta before. Looks yummy!
I just tried it for the first time about a month ago. It definitely will not be the last time!
i have a half tub of polenta that needs some desperate use – trying this today
Awesome. Please let me know how they turn out for you!
Love love love love this. I am such a polenta junkie. Can’t wait to try
Please let me know what you think! 🙂
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!
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it, too! It is so fun to find new and tasty products :).
You had me at tostadas! I never tried them with polenta on top, these look amazing!
Using polenta for the “shells” is super duper tasty. You should really try it!
These are adorable and would make a perfect appetizer for a 4th of July get together!
Thank you! And yes, they would! Plus, they are so easy to make, which would make them even better for a get together.
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!
You should absolutely try it. The tubes of polenta are SO easy to cook with!
Polenta is so versatile. These look divine!
I am discovering that! I cannot wait to try using it for more recipes.
I love these! They are so cute. They would be perfect as an appetizer too. LOVE!! Great job!
Thank you! They are quite cute, huh? 🙂
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!
You definitely should..or just cheat like me and use the pre-made kind!;)
I love polenta! I grew up eating it all the time! These tostadas look terrific!
I never had polenta growing up. I was missing out!!
Fun post! 🙂 Your dogs are seriously adorable. I love yellow too!