Bean and Vegetable Tostadas

Description
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Ingredients

 * Vegetable oil, for frying
 * 4 (6-inch) corn tortillas
 * 2 pinches coarse salt
 * 1 (14-ounce) can spicy vegetarian refried beans (vegetarian beans contain no lard)
 * 1 cup shredded smoked Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper Jack
 * 1 heart Romaine lettuce or 1/2 head of iceberg lettuce, shredded
 * 2 small plum tomatoes, diced
 * 1 small white skinned onion, finely chopped
 * 2 tablespoons (a palm full) chopped cilantro or parsley

Directions
Heat 1/8 to 1/4-inch oil over medium high heat. Fry tortillas 30 seconds on each side to light golden, 1 tortilla at a time. Drain tortillas on brown paper sack. Season with a little coarse salt while hot.

Heat beans in microwave or small pan over moderate heat. Spread hot beans on tortillas and top with a handful of shredded smoked Cheddar or Jack cheese. Top cheese with shredded lettuce, diced tomato bits, and chopped onion. Garnish tostadas with chopped fresh cilantro or parsley and serve