While my food photography leaves much to be desired,
I wanted to share my latest endeavor at trying new recipes
It was time intensive but oh-so-tasty!
Here is what to do with 8+ tomatillos and ripe avocados:
6 large garlic cloves, 4 cloves peeled and left whole and 2 cloves coarsely chopped
1 pound tomatillos (8 medium), husked, rinsed, and halved
2 fresh jalapeños (including seeds), coarsely chopped
3/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro sprigs
2 cups plus 2 to 3 tablespoons water
1/2 cup finely chopped white onion, rinsed in a sieve and patted dry
1 3/4 teaspoons salt
2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 (6- to 7-ounce) firm-ripe avocados
12 tostadas (i used flour tortillas & fried them cuz that is what I had on hand)
3 cups thinly sliced romaine (from 1 head)
1 cup mild feta (1/4 pound)
Make tomatillo sauce:
Line a 10-inch heavy skillet (preferably cast-iron; not nonstick) with foil, then heat over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking. Add 2 whole garlic cloves and half of tomatillos, cut sides down, and roast on top of stove until well browned, 4 to 5 minutes (skillet will begin to smoke at this point). Turn over garlic and tomatillos (tomatillos may stick to foil) and roast until well browned and tomatillos are completely soft, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer roasted garlic and tomatillos to a food processor. Discard foil, then line skillet with a fresh sheet of foil and roast remaining 2 whole garlic cloves and remaining tomatillos in same manner, transferring as done to food processor. Cool garlic and tomatillos to room temperature in bowl of processor, about 30 minutes. (I did this in my blender. It worked!)
Add chiles, half of cilantro, and 2 tablespoons water to mixture in processor, then pulse until it forms a chunky sauce, adding 1 tablespoon more water if too thick. Transfer to a bowl and stir in onion and 1 teaspoon salt.
Prepare beans:
Bring beans and remaining 2 cups water to a simmer in a 3-quart heavy saucepan, stirring occasionally, then add avocado leaves and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, 20 minutes. Drain beans in a sieve set over a bowl, reserving liquid. Pure beans, 1/4 cup cooking liquid (reserve remainder), and chopped garlic in a food processor until smooth.
Heat oil in a 10-inch heavy nonstick skillet over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then add bean purée and cook, stirring, until very thick, about 5 minutes. Stir in remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt, then remove from heat and keep warm, covered.
Assemble tostadas:
Halve and pit avocados, then scoop out flesh in large pieces and cut into 1/2-inch cubes.
If necessary, stir some of reserved bean-cooking liquid in to make bean purée soft and easily spreadable. Divide warm beans among tostadas and spread evenly. Spoon about 1 tablespoon tomatillo sauce over each tostada, then divide avocado among tostadas and top with romaine, cheese, and remaining cilantro. Serve remaining tomatillo sauce on the side.
