Snackin’ With Sarah Sellers: Hollywood Week Viewing Nosh

Diehard "American Idol" viewers will remember Sarah Sellers as the geek-chic food blogger who made it to Hollywood Week last year. (Watch her Season 10 audition here.) Sarah has since continued her food-blogging, and has been cooking up scrumptious snack suggestions for any "Idol" viewing party and posting them here exclusively in Reality Rocks. And she's back this season to get your mouth watering every Wednesday and Thursday night.

The auditions are over and the show is now finally moving on to Hollywood, so for the first Hollywood Week "Idol" episode airing tonight, Sarah is serving some classic California cuisine. Enjoy!

Shrimp Tostadas with Avocado Salsa

▪ 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
▪ 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
▪ juice of 1 lime
▪ 1 tbsp chile powder
▪ 1/4 tsp kosher salt
▪ 1/2 tsp black pepper, ground
▪ 6 tostada shells

Salsa
▪ 1 large avocado, cubed
▪ 1 plum tomato, diced
▪ juice from 1/2 a lime
▪ 1/2 yellow onion, diced
▪ 1 Serrano pepper, diced (seeds removed if you don't like it super spicy)
▪ 1/4 chopped cilantro

▪ 2 tbsp chopped onion
▪ 1 (14.5oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
▪ 1/2 cup chicken broth
▪ 1/4 cilantro, chopped
▪ 1 tsp cumin
▪ juice from 1/2 a lime
▪ salt and pepper

For the shrimp, combine the first six ingredients, through the black pepper, in a large bag and marinate for 15-20 minutes.

While the shrimp is marinating, make the salsa by combing the avocado and next five ingredients, through the cilantro, in a large bowl. Set aside.

Heat an indoor grill pan or grill to medium-high heat and grill the shrimp until cooked through, around three to four minutes on each side.

While the shrimp is grilling, heat the remaining olive oil in a medium saucepan and sauté the remaining onions until translucent. Add the beans and chicken broth; reduce for about 10 minutes. Add the cilantro, cumin, and lime juice. Mash beans using a potato-masher or back of a wooden spatula until desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning accordingly.

To assemble the tostadas, top the shells with the beans, lettuce, shrimp, then the salsa.

Bon appetit!

Check out Sarah's food and music blogs at http://sarahsmusicalkitchen.com

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