LCBO Food & Drink Travel 2026

GLOBAL REMIX

Dried avocado leaves add an herbal, anise like flavour to the black beans, a method that’s used in home cooking in the Oaxaca area.

Spicy Black Bean & Avocado Leaf Tostadas Dried avocado leaves are a popular herb in the Oaxaca region of Mexico, where they’re often used to flavour black beans. The flavour is somewhat reminiscent of anise, but still distinctly unique. Look for avocado leaves online or in Latin American grocers, where you can also find Cotija. 6 dried avocado leaves, about 5 g 3 tbsp (45 mL) olive oil 11/2 cups (375 mL) finely chopped white onion, divided 4 garlic cloves, minced 1 cup (250 mL) low-sodium chicken broth or water 1 can (540 mL) black beans, drained, rinsed 1 canned chipotle pepper in adobo 1/2 tsp (2 mL) fine sea salt 8 tostada shells 4 cups (1 L) finely shredded iceberg lettuce 2 ripe avocados, cut into slices 3/4 cup (175 mL) crumbled Cotija cheese or feta 1/2 cup (125 mL) roughly chopped cilantro Lime wedges for serving 1. Heat a medium-size frying pan over medium heat. Add avocado leaves and toast until fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Transfer to a small bowl. When cool enough to handle, crumble into fine pieces

10 minutes. Remove pan from heat then crush beans and chipotle using a potato masher, until creamy, but not smooth. Return pan to heat and cook, stirring constantly, until beans are very thick and bottom of pan looks dry, 2 to 3 minutes. (Mixture will continue to thicken as it cools.) 3. To serve, spread about 1/3 cup (80 mL) beans over each tostada. Top with lettuce, avocado slices, reserved 1/2 cup (125 mL) onions,

with your hands, discarding any tough stems. You should have about 3 tbsp (45 mL). Set aside. 2. Return pan to medium heat. Add oil then 1 cup (250 mL) onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and crumbled avocado leaves. Cook until garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in broth or water, beans, chipotle and salt. Simmer, on medium, until liquid has reduced by half, about

Cotija or feta, and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.

Serves 4

WHAT TO SERVE Modelo Especial LCBO 418590, 6 pk, $18.95

A refreshing Mexican pilsner will cut through the rich textures of beans, avocado and cheese without overwhelming the subtle flavour of avocado leaf.

84

———————— TRAVEL 2026