Beet Tostadas

• servings: 6 items

Ingredients

1½ lb. red beets (about 2 large), peeled, cut into ¼" pieces

2 garlic cloves, finely grated

2 Tbsp. ancho chile powder

1 tsp. crushed dried oregano, preferably Mexican

1 tsp. paprika

¾ tsp. ground cumin

½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1 Tbsp. Diamond Crystal or 1½ tsp. Morton kosher salt, plus more

2⅓ cups plus 3 Tbsp. vegetable oil, divided

1 large white onion, halved through root end, sliced ¼" thick

6 medium serrano chiles, quartered lengthwise, leaving stems and seeds intact

⅓ cup sage leaves

6 6"-diameter corn tortillas

6 large eggs

Salsa de Árbol (for serving)

Directions

Place a rack in middle of oven; preheat to 350°. Toss beets, garlic, chile powder, oregano, paprika, cumin, pepper, 1 Tbsp. Diamond Crystal or 1½ tsp. Morton kosher salt, and ⅓ cup oil in a medium bowl until beets are coated. Scrape onto a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet; bake, tossing every 15 minutes, until beets are tender and spices are very fragrant and smell slightly toasted, 35–45 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat 2 cups oil in a large saucepan over high until oil bubbles immediately when the edge of a tortilla touches the surface. Carefully fry onion, adding a little bit at time to avoid too much spattering and reducing heat as needed, until tender and beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined baking sheet. Repeat process with chiles, about 5 minutes. Transfer to same baking sheet. Fry sage leaves until crisp, about 30 seconds. Transfer to baking sheet. Working one at a time, fry tortillas, turning once, until crisp, puffed in places, and deep golden brown, about 1 minute per side. Transfer tostadas to baking sheet.

Heat remaining 3 Tbsp. oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high. Crack eggs into skillet, leaving space around each one, and cook until whites are set and edges are crisp, about 4 minutes. Season with salt.

Spoon beet mixture onto tostadas, dividing evenly, and top each with an egg, then fried onion, chiles, sage, and Salsa de Árbol.