Thanks for the PSA! I definitely do not live in the best part of town (I need to live near school but the apartments nearby aren’t the best) so I usually don’t open windows or anything because I fear stuff like that!

I always double check my doors, windows, and even closests at night. Living alone makes me super paranoid abut robberies and what not.

Great reminder!

We make tostadas by baking the tortillas flat and then putting the toppings on top.

Corn tortillas are dry, they will crack and break unless fried crisp or slathered in sauce. I would just find a healthier flour tortilla and substitute.

Thanks so much for that reminder! It’s definitely scary to think about, but it’s important to know. And I agree with others, I’d rather someone think I’m paranoid than end up risking my own safety.

I also agree that you may need to moisten the tortillas – which I usually do by wrapping them in wet paper towels and microwaving them for 30 seconds or so.

Thank you for sharing! In the summer months, I obsess about the windows not being open at night. Even 2nd floor windows. I walk around the house and make sure the side locks are in place so they windows can still stay open (a few inches) and no one can get in. My husband tells me I’m paranoid, but I’ve heard too many incidents!

Having that said, I am absolutely jealous you got to open windows yesterday! Here in Maine, it will be MONTHS before I can do that!!!

Tostados are a fried, flat corn tortilla, and you layer your toppings on top and then eat. Instead of frying, I bake mine. I brush lightly with olive oil, sprinkle a tiny bit of sea salt on, then bake in the oven for about 15 minutes until they are golden brown and crispy. Then load up with whatever toppings you’d like (beans and veggies, please!) They end up with a crispy/chewy texture, but are still very good and (much healthier than the traditional deep-frying).
If you want to roll corn tortillas without them cracking (ie: enchiladas), they need to be warmed in some sort of liquid. I put a small amount of enchilada sauce in a small frying pan, then ‘fry’ the tortilla in the sauce for 1-2 minutes on each side until warm and flexible. Then fill with your toppings, roll and bake.
Hope that helps.

Not only is closing the window important, but locking them too! It’s not hard to survey the windows and notice where the latch is turned to the “open” position and can be opened from the outside.

Hey, taste is all that matters right!

yum I have been craving mexican food so I think I might have to make these thanks for a wonderful recipe!

I concur with all the advice for adding liquid to make the tortillas more pliable. To stay away from oil and add some flavor, heat some stock or broth and run the tortillas through it before rolling.

after what I saw on Dateline this week, I am so glad you posted this reminder!

Bake your tortillas first. Spray them with a little olive oil and lay them flat on a baking sheet. They will come out nice and crispy. Then you can add all your toppings. You can also cut them into smaller pieces if you want a healtheir chip. That is how we do it here in Texas!

What a great tip, it is scary but a TRUE fact, you never know, especially if you think you live in a safe neighborhood, better safe than sorry : )

Those look good but I dont have a solution to the keep tortillas from crumbling : p

Yup, especially when you’re asleep! I love sleeping with the bedroom window open, so my husband and I found a heavy duty dowel to wedge in the window slider (I’ve seen neighbors use golf clubs too) so you can’t open it past two or three inches. Plus, we have huge dog 🙂

The tostadas look good. Maybe it was the olive oil, or maybe you should dry something different to moisten them up during the cooking process. Thank you for the tips! I can’t really use them right now, (Because I live in third floor dorm) but it is really good information for anyone to have.

I had a neighbor who kinda “stalked” my bedroom window. If he thought I was home but didn’t answer the door he would come knock on my bedroom window. I got so paranoid that I never opened my window, even when the air wouldn’t work in the summer because I was afraid he would just help himself in. So now I am always afraid to open any accessible windows. Call me paranoid… but i dont

I put dowels in my windows so they only open so much. I get the cool air that way. I just cannot bring myself to sleep with the windows open ever. When I lived in an apartment I got jumped in the laundry room AND a week later some guy high on drugs came in my apartment and started watching TV. Yes, I moved out the next day and have lived in a house ever since.

Thanks for the info! My windows slide horizontally so I only open them as far as I need to and place dowel rods in the remaining areas so they can’t be opened any more (like enough for someone to get in or reach the rod). Plus I have a large Rottie!

Tearing tortillas happen more often when they are stale or older. Use fresh tortillas for the best results! Also, wrap them up carefully, but sturdy enough that they won’t move during cooking (which makes them break too).

– Your friendly Mexican blogger

thanks for the tip and reminder. it’s little things like closing your windows that can help avoid bigger things happening..

What a great tip Caitlyn! Sometimes we need a little reminder to not trow caution to the wind. I grew up locking every door, shutting & locking all the windows at night because my neighborhood is less than desirable. It never hurts to be a little cautious!

Here is what I always do when I want tostadas or enchiladas…since the corn tortillas can be so fussy, I always make it into a “lasagna” or “casserole” style by layering my ingredients to go on the inside inbetween layers of tortillas and then bake them….layering it like a lasagna. So easy and then I have lunch for the entire week!