Definition

Noun 1. A crisp, flat tortilla that has been fried or toasted until it is hard and crunchy. 2. A dish consisting of this crisp tortilla served with a variety of toppings or fillings piled on it, such as beans, cheese, lettuce, meat, or salsa.

Usage and Examples

• As a base or ingredient: The serves as an edible plate or foundation for other foods.
  • The recipe calls for one corn tostada per serving.
  • She broke the tostada into pieces to dip into the guacamole.
• As a complete dish: The word refers to the entire assembled dish.
  • For lunch, I ordered a chicken tostada topped with refried beans and pico de gallo.
  • The restaurant's signature seafood tostada is very popular.

Advanced Usage

• Contextual Meaning: The specific meaning is often clear from context. If someone is eating a , they are likely eating the topped dish. If a recipe lists "4 tostadas," it likely refers to the plain, crisp tortillas.
• Preparation: A is typically made by frying a whole tortilla flat, unlike a taco, which is folded. It can also be baked or toasted.

Variants and Related Words

• Tostada Shell: Another term for the plain, crisp tortilla base.
• Tostada Salad: A salad served on or with pieces of a crisp tostada.
• Tortilla: The soft, flatbread (made of corn or wheat flour) that is fried or toasted to make a tostada.
• Taco: A folded or rolled tortilla containing fillings, which is soft, hard, or fried.
• Taco Salad: A salad served in a fried tortilla bowl, which is conceptually similar to a tostada salad.

Synonyms

• Fried tortilla (for the base)
• Crisp tortilla (for the base)

Related Phrases and Concepts

• "Tostada platter": A meal served with multiple tostadas or a tostada alongside other items like rice and beans.
• "Build your own tostada": A style of service where diners add their choice of toppings to a crisp tortilla base.

Noun

1. a crisp flat tortilla
2. a flat tortilla with various fillings piled on it