When I was in high school, we had to line dance in gym class. I'm pretty sure that the decision to include line dancing in the physical education curriculum was a cruel joke on the part of school administrators. Let's put a bunch of suburban teenagers in a room and make them dance to Garth Brooks! Ha ha, that'll show 'em! I hated line dancing. Hated it. There is really nothing sadder than an uncoordinated sullen goth girl doing the Boot Scootin' Boogie. Not even a velvet painting of a crying clown is sadder than that.
So one day during all this line dancing humiliation, the gym teacher turned around to change the CD and my friend turned to me and said, "Let's leave." And I think that was the moment in my life when I realized that I had free will. Yes! I could leave! I could just leave right now! Who's stopping me? So we left. It was exhilarating. And we decided not to go to gym class again until the line dancing unit was over. Because we could do that!
Then I decided I was free to not go to other classes either. When I got detentions for not going to class, I was free not to serve them. (Eventually, I accumulated so many detentions that the school just wrote them off.) It felt amazing to finally realize that no one could tell me what to do and that I was master of my own destiny, conductor of my own train, ringleader of my own crying clown circus.
Even though I am no longer a sullen goth girl (I am still uncoordinated, though), this has kind of been my guiding philosophy in life ever since then. Although I feel the pull of obligations and expectations, ultimately, I know I'm in charge of myself and for better or worse, I do things the way I want to do them. I'd rather fail doing things my way than succeed doing things someone else's way. I'm kind of stubborn like that. I'm a big believer in choices and I want the world to be like Burger King and let me have it my way, so when I post recipes on my blog, I tend to list a lot of options and substitutions. Because I want you to have it your way too!
Take these Black Bean & Veggie Baked Tostadas, for example. The starting point of this recipe is a crispy tortilla topped with seasoned zucchini, corn, and black beans. But after that, you're the master of your tostada destiny. Chris had sliced avocado, cherry tomatoes, green onions and cilantro on his and since I'm much pickier than he is, mine were finished with a squeeze of lime juice and a scattering of cilantro and green onions. You can do whatever you want! This is one of those recipes that you really can't go wrong with.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 tbsp. fajita seasoning
- 1 small zucchini sliced
- ½ c. corn kernels fresh or frozen
- 1 ½ c. cooked black beans or one 15-ounce can, drained and rinsed
- 4 medium whole wheat tortillas
- 1 c. reduced-fat shredded Mexican blend cheese
- toppings: cilantro cherry tomatoes, avocado, sour cream, salsa, green onions, lime wedges, lettuce
Instructions
- Preheat broiler.
- Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add fajita seasoning, zucchini, and corn. Cook until zucchini is softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in beans and cook until heated through. Remove from heat.
- Place tortillas on large baking sheet that's been sprayed with olive oil or cooking spray. Broil until crisp, about 2 minutes. Add ¼ cup of cheese and vegetable topping to each tortilla. Return to broiler and broil until cheese has melted, 1-2 minutes more. Add toppings and serve.
Lisa @ Greek Vegetarian says
The cruel joke at our school was square dancing. Absolutely hated it – more than you hated line dancing I reckon. And just like you, I walked out and never went back to P.E. class as it was called at our school (physical education) ever again. For four years no one even noticed I was absent which meant no detentions but the downside to that was there was no validation for my rebelliousness! And when you're 13, it's uncool to have no one recognise your deliberately delinquent behaviour! These days I'm happy to let my wayward ways go unnoticed, and today I'm not even going to rebel against anything you've put on those black bean and veggie baked tostadas. I would make them just the way you've done them 🙂
Kiersten says
HA! I love it! Skipping PE for four years is quite the achievement, whether your school realized it or not. 🙂
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says
Oh yes, yes, yes. This is happening at my house this week. I can't wait!
And you're not alone with the detention and misbehavior. I was a stubborn rebel too, and even though I wouldn't encourage it my own kids, I'm secretly proud that I was full of sass. lol
Kiersten says
I remember you posting about that! I got into so much trouble too. I miss being young and not caring what other people think. 🙂
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
Ooh, you were a bad girl in school! 😉 I remember having to line dance in grade school and I didn't love it but I didn't hate it either because it meant my fat butt wasn't having to do hurdles or some other humiliating form of physical exercise for P.E. Ugh...thanks for bringing back that trauma. HA!
To soothe my PTSD, I should make a tostada.
Kiersten says
See, I definitely would have rather physically exerted myself than embarrass myself dancing. I have NO COORDINATION! We used to have to do step aerobics sometimes too and I hated it for the same reason.
Caitlin says
yes! i love "choose your own adventure" tacos and mexican food! zucchini is such an awesome filling for these 😉
i never once skipped class. i went to a very strict private highschool and i'm sure i would have been expelled. i didn't know people actually were able to skip class. i thought it was folklore and things only kids in movies could do. you're such a bad ass!
Kiersten says
I went to Catholic school before high school and I was the same way--I couldn't even conceive of the idea of skipping class, although I desperately wanted to. 🙂
Joy // For the Love of Leaves says
Haha oh man, you sound like me in high school (my sister tells me I was emo before emo was a thing ha!) I didn't class all that much, but I certainly didn't do my homework, still not sure how I managed to graduate.
These tostadas look great! I love Mexican inspired dishes, but I always forget about tostadas!
Kiersten says
Yeah, I was pretty miserable all throughout high school--very emo. 🙂 I never understand the people who say it's the best time of their lives--really?!
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
Haha! I'm with Anele... as long as I didn't have to climb a rope or (try and fail to) catch a baseball, I was happy to look like a line dancin' fool! Thanks for sharing these scrumptious looking tostadas, Kiersten.
Kiersten says
Oh, I could never catch baseballs. I'd always play as far outfield as I could and then inevitably, the ball would come slowly rolling towards me and then roll right under my legs and everyone would yell at me for missing it. So traumatizing.
Genevieve says
I've had tostadas on my mind lately, so this recipe is perfect timing! I love the combination of zucchini, corn and black beans as a topping. I guess my hesitation with trying tostadas instead of folded tacos is not knowing exactly how to eat them - is there a way to do it without all the toppings just falling off when you try to break a piece off or bite into it?
Kiersten says
There's no secret--they're kind of a mess to eat. 🙂 A delicious mess, though!
Alissa N says
I totally remember the exact moment when I realized I had free will to not do homework and cut class. I also got a lot of detentions, and the school gave up eventually and pretended like one Saturday detention would cover all of them!
I just recently made tostadas too!! I have to say your pictures are waaay prettier though! 🙂
Kiersten says
HA! Yeah, I didn't do homework either. I was a total slacker, which is funny because I was such an over-achiever in college and grad school.
Ashley says
haha we had to do square dancing for one week each school year in high school. It was ridiculous. They even brought in special instructors for it! Terrible I tell you! These sound delicious - perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
Kiersten says
Apparently they retired square dancing at my school and replaced it with line dancing. And we just had the regular gym teachers teaching it, which made the whole thing even more ridiculous. 🙂
BusyWorkingMama says
Those look wonderful! This is the second tostadas recipe I've seen this week - clearly I need to make some!
Kiersten says
It must be a sign! 🙂
Sylvia @ reelflavor.com says
You sound a lot like me in highschool. I did just about everything I could do to spend the least amount of time there and get away with it. Oh the good ol' days...how happy I am to not be there anymore :). These tostadas look super fresh and tasty! Love it and want one now!
Kiersten says
Me too. I hated high school so much. I ended up dropping out, which was pretty much the best decision of my life. Although that's not something you're supposed to say. 🙂
Cassandra says
Yay! This has been one of my favorite go-to recipes for years. I'm glad to see it getting some love, and a few extra ingredients. I'm a simple girl, so I usually stick with the bare basics, but I am digging how amazing that avocado looks nestled among those black beans and tomatoes... Also, I've always made mine with onions, rather than zucchini. Time to venture further into the wild world of vegetables...
Kiersten says
I thought about using diced onions on mine, but since I had green onions on hand, I used those instead. Next time. 🙂
dixya| Food, Pleasure, and Health says
love the attitude of this post 🙂 i like things my way too although I will have this tostadas your way 🙂
Daniela @ FoodrecipesHQ says
These tostadas must be very tasty. I love their crispiness in contrast with the soft texture of the beans and veggies!
Cassie | Bake Your Day says
This is great. We totally did line dancing in PE too. I wish I would have thought to walk out! These tostadas are wonderful!
Marta @ What should I eat for breakfast today says
hahahaah, bad girl! I have no idea what line dancing is, we did not have it in my school. But I did spip one or two lessons 🙂 Your recipe will be perfect for breakfast.
Kiersten says
You stand in a line with a bunch of people and you all do the same dance moves at the same time. It's an American thing. 😉
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
This is definitely my kind of recipe...super tasty and flavorful, but also so simple and easy! 🙂
Sommer @ ASpicyPerspective says
These look great! Yum! 🙂
Stephanie @ henry happened says
I just had a good laugh at the thought of a bunch of awkward high schoolers doing a line dance 🙂 And I thought you were going to say you cut class to go to Taco Bell! Because I remember eat a LOT of their tostadas in my high school/college days. My sister even now makes us search out ones that still serve them (they aren't on the menu anymore). Anywho, she's preggers now so I should totally make these for her.
Kiersten says
We used to cut class and walk to McDonald's or the mall food court sometimes. 🙂 Why does Taco Bell not serve tostadas anymore?! That is so wrong.
Julia | JuliasAlbum.com says
What a funny story and an entertaining glimpse into your teenage, line-dancing past! 🙂 That story had me laughing all the way. Nice allegory to the tostada recipe :). The tostadas look wonderful, by the way, and they are making me very hungry on Monday night!
[email protected]'s Recipes says
The tostadas look absolutely to die for and they only took 20 minutes to make? wow...I have to make them too.
Thanks, sweet line-dancing gal, for sharing both the recipe and high school story.
Brenda Williams says
Loved the story as much as I loved the recipe.
JulieD says
this looks so good! I love black beans!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
These tostadas look fab, perfect for hot summer evenings!
Maria Tadic says
I love tostadas! At a restaurant I used to waitress at, they served these. SO yummy. I will definitely have to pull this recipe out - perfect for summer!