If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. We have a feeling that might the motto of this auburn-curled and witty dame behind the blog Scarletta Bakes. And the creator of these simple but amazingly tasty Breakfast Tostadas with Cumin-Roasted Fingerling Potatoes. Because she has flavor like that.
Her name is actually not Scarletta. The spunky, self-taught cook, blogger, photographer, and cookbook author‘s real name is Meagan Micozzi. Her husband affectionately penned the nickname “Scarletta,” for her tendency for her cheeks to turn a bit scarlet when she’s all fired up. Sounds like a girl after our own hearts.
Getting in the kitchen and baking seemed to be best way for this spitfire to simmer down, thus, Scarletta Bakes was born in 2011. Naturally, the Arizona resident’s favorite ingredient is chiles, and she’s often armed with the usual suspects…ancho, habanero, chipotle, and jalapeño. This girl is not afraid to pack a punch!
Meagan attributes her fearless approach towards cooking to Diana Kennedy’s The Cuisines of Mexico. “After moving to Arizona, I remember being really inspired by her simple, authentic approach to Mexican food, but also by her sort of ‘fish out of water’ experience of moving to Mexico and falling in love with the culinary traditions that she found there. I read the book cover to cover and never looked back.”
Megan embraces Arizona’s southwestern cuisine, and boldly sneaks some heat and local flavor into many of her dishes.
She also puts unique spins on ordinary, otherwise pedestrian dishes, amping up their flavor, like in her 7 Layer Nacho Waffles, Chorizo & Sweet Potato Patty Melts, and her Mexican Lime & Siracha Donuts. Yes, that is serious flavor and we embrace it whole heartedly.
When she’s not in the kitchen, she runs (to help her get out of her head), hikes (because the mountains get her out of the kitchen), and wanders around her local farmer’s markets (to stay on top of what’s new).
Thank you Megan for sharing a little bit more about you and being our foodie crush.
1. Describe your blog in 3 words:
Silly.
Southwestern.
SoTotallyDelicious.
2. If you could be one food blogger other than yourself, who would you be?
I truly couldn’t pick just one!
3. Which 3 blogs do you follow/are obsessed with/can’t live a day without?
Honestly, my reader currently has 341 blogs in it and I couldn’t possibly pick three favorites. There’s just so much talent out there and I make it a practice to read as many blogs as I can every single day. That said I tend to gravitate toward blogs that have a unique perspective and/or blogs where the author, whether they’re writing about food or fashion, is willing to reveal bits and pieces of their personality and day-to-day life through their writing.
4. What is the one kitchen tool you could never give up?
My tortilla press.
My comal.
My citrus reamer.
And apparently my calculator since that’s actually three items instead of just one.
5. What dish are you obsessed with mastering that you just can’t get quite right?
I may have gotten it right a few times, but that hasn’t diminished my obsession with cajeta, a traditional goat’s milk-based Mexican caramel sauce. Cajeta has such a distinctive flavor that can be altered significantly by making the simplest adjustments to aromatic additives, boiling time, and even the temperature in my kitchen. I love playing with the recipe and producing a flavor that is just slightly different from that of my last batch.
6. What did you have for dinner last night?
Oven-roasted chicken thighs with a pomegranate and lime sauce…
OK, FINE. I also had a piece of Cream Cheese-Frosted Canela Layer Cake, two scoops of Strawberry Ice Cream and a spoonful of peanut butter.
7. What’s one secret talent outside of the kitchen nobody knows about you:
I once served a season-long stint as offensive star of my husband’s and my dodgeball team. Just one season, but it was a glorious one.
8. You’re happiest when cooking/eating:
It always comes back to a big pan of enchiladas for me. Red or green, bean or tomato, enchiladas are so comforting and happy-making that they always end up being my go-to.
9. What do you love most about Southwestern cuisine and what is something unique to it that people might be surprised to learn?
I love Southwestern cuisine because it is so varied: there’s literally a fruit, vegetable, flavor for everyone. I love the heat, spice and depth of seasoning that is such an important part of Southwestern cooking technique. And I love Southwestern cuisine because I think it’s deserving of a little love: in the pantheon of American regional cooking, it is my perception that Southwestern food is decidedly under-appreciated and very frequently misunderstood. Yet for all of that misinformation, people are still hungry for the flavors of the Southwest! There’s nothing that I love more than pressing some fresh tortillas, preparing a scratch enchilada sauce, serving up a bubbling pan and having a guest say ‘Oh! Now I get it!’. That’s what I really love about Southwestern cuisine.
10. The one secret ingredient to your success is:
Patience. And silliness. Patience and silliness, and just a pinch of cumin.
When her blog began to outgrew its britches, she decided extend her words and recipes beyond the blogosphere, and she published (and self-photographed!) her first cookbook The New Southwest, just last year. With over 80 recipes and a guide to Southwestern spices, chiles and equipment. It’s time to put a molcajete on your shopping list.
And you can win a copy of The New Southwest for yourself. Just fill in the info in the widget below with one or more entries to be entered to win.
And now, we need to dig into these Breakfast Tostadas with Cumin-Roasted Fingerling Potatoes.
This was just one recipe of the many I flagged while touring through The New Southwest. I couldn’t decide between breakfast, cocktails (of which she has several totally refreshing sips), garlic guacamole or a corn pudding that had me torn in 14 different directions.
But being a girl who loves to put an egg on it, I went for the breakfast. And a good choice it was.
A few recipe notes:
I favor white corn tortillas so that’s what I used instead of corn. It’s just the way I roll.
Megan’s cookbook recipe calls for Manchego cheese. I went with Mexican Cotija, a little salty and chunky, similar to feta but drier.
Megan layered her egg on the bottom, I went for the ooze on top. Because like I said, I’m all about putting an egg on it.

Breakfast Tostadas with Cumin-Roasted Fingerling Potatoes
Ingredients
For the potatoes
- 1 1/2 pounds fingerling potatoes halved vertically
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ancho chile
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- salt and black pepper to taste
For the tostadas
- vegetable oil for frying the tortillas
- 6 4- inch corn tortillas I used white corn tortillas
- 6 large eggs
- 1 cup Cotija cheese crumbled
- 1 cup tomatoes diced
- Cilantro leaves for garnish
- Guacamole for serving
- Pat of butter for frying eggs
Instructions
For the potatoes
-
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Toss the halved potatoes, olive oil, cumin, ancho and coriander together in a large bowl and toss to coat well. Season with salt and pepper then transfer to a parchment lined baking sheet. Roast the potatoes until browned and crusted on top and fork-tender, about 40 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly.
For the tostada shells
-
Heat approximately 1/2 inch vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet over high heat. Carefully add the tortillas to the hot oil, working in batches so as not to crowd your pan. Fry each tortilla for about a minute per side or until golden brown and crisp. Remove cooked tostada shells and drain on paper towels.
For the eggs
-
Spray a fry pan with cooking spray or add a pat of butter to the pan and crack your eggs into the heated skillet, working in batches if necessary. Cover with a lid and cook until the whites are set.
To assemble the tostadas
-
Top each shell with a layer of potatoes and sprinkle with cheese crumbles, diced tomato and top with a fried egg. Garnish with cilantro leaves and serve with guacamole if desired.
Recipe Notes
Reprinted with permission, Megan Micozzi
Thanks again Meagan, you are fierce, girl, and thank you for being our foodie crush!
web // ScarlettaBakes.com
twitter // @scarlettabakes
facebook // Scarletta Bakes
Reporting by Hayley Teater
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Wild CHild says
Cumin – it says Southwest to me!
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says
Thank you for introducing me to yet another amazingly talented blogger! My fave spice to add to Southwestern food is chipotle chili powder. I can’t get enough of the stuff – the more the better! :)
Marsha says
I have to say cilantro
beating heart rice says
Great delivery. Outstanding arguments. Keep up the good
effort.
Crissy says
Fresh cilantro- love it. Also will have to say cumin adds that different flare to a dish.
Nancy C says
Those breakfast tostadas look wonderful
Kiki C says
I like to add a couple of shakes of ground coriander into my dishes to bring the flavor to SW style dishes…..kind of a mystery taste that elevates the dish with another layer of yum.
Nancy C says
Love the peppers
Cassie says
I love Meagan and her recipes. And now I’m craving these tostadas!
libby rouse says
I use a lot of cumin
cori says
chipotle
Deborah says
Just added this cookbook to my Amazon cart. How did I not already own it???
Liz @ FloatingKitchen says
Fresh Cilantro!
JC says
Cumin. It’s in like everything.
paula says
Cumin and Cilantro!
Christine from Cook the Story says
This is absolutely GORGEOUS!
Jess says
I LOVE ancho chiles! I plan to try to grow some in my garden this summer!
Sandy Headtke says
I grow cilantro and use it in all my dishes for a fresh flavor
Sunnie says
Id say cilantro, I like it!
Melissa @ Treats With a Twist says
I always reach for cumin and cilantro when going southwest!
Josh says
Ahaa, its good conversation on the topic of this article at this place at this weblog, I have read all that, so now me also commenting here.
Rachel Langwell says
Cumin is my favorite one! I love it’s smoky flavor!
Jill J says
I love love love chipotle powder!!!
Savannagal says
I add hot peppers or hot sauce to just about everything. I love spicy food, but also food with flavor. So I also use an abundance of garlic, ginger and other spices.
Jan says
Cilantro is my fav
Jeanne G says
Chipotle powder and cumin are my go to spices for Southwestern foods.
Diane Troxell says
Ancho chili powder.
Sarah Jimenez says
it all looks soooo goood!!
T.R. says
Chili powder
Lisa says
Cumin. I love it. In fact, I could have southwestern, texmex, mexican, whatever you want to call it, every single day.Yum!
Meg @ The Housewife In Training Files says
Cumin all the way!!!
Becki @ Bites 'n Brews says
Adobe Chipotle! I love making barbecued brisket nachos with those peppers!
natalie @ wee eats says
Cumin for sure – and chipotle
Michele W says
Cumin!
Phi @ The Sweetphi Blog says
Awe, love this post and I love both your blog and hers :) I would definitely have to say Cumin is my southwest flavor -go-to- ingredient. This recipe looks insanely delicious, can’t wait to try it :)
Karen D says
Love cilantro!
Auntiepatch says
Coriander & cumin!
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Maddie says
Cilantro! And cumin :)
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
I adore Meagan’s site. I stalk her every chance I get. Love these tostadas. Yum!
Gail says
Cumin seeds … Everyone seems to love the flavor even if they don’t care for cumin ground up…Love!!!!
Chelsey says
Cumin. So good! And I do like extra cilantro :)
Libby says
Cilantro and cumin, love them!
Marcia S. says
I freak out when I’m out of cumin! I love it, and buy it from The Spice House, it is grinded right before they fill my order. The scent is amazing!
Julie Turner says
Chipotle pepper!
Denise Wilson says
cilantro
Maneesha Pradhan says
Chilies.
Cassie says
Cumin, Ancho Chili Powder, and fresh Cilantro!
Cori says
I like to add fresh cilantro when I can. I don’t know the southwestern spice secrets yet though so this book would be perfect. Thanks!
dana says
fresh cilantro! i grow it in my kitchen and add it often
Jenn says
I can’t choose one…it’s the cumin, the cilantro, and the corn!!!!
Noel says
I love cumin and cilantro! My husband lives for cilantro. thanks for the great giveaway.
Abby says
A kick of spice! And corn!
jessica z says
I love cilantro and habenero!
Melissa R says
Roasted green chilis!
sarapete says
cumin, I love it!
Sarah H.P. says
I love paprika!
Shana says
Cumin and roasted chiles!
ali says
i love ancho chiles!
danielle says
Cumin!
Sean C says
Roasted chiles for sure!
Alina says
Chipotle peppers – so yummy and that smoky flavor.
julianne says
i love cumin! also just picked up a bottle of ghost pepper flakes from TJ’s that i’m using on eeeeverything.
Annette says
Chipotle is what comes to mind when I think of Southwestern foods.
Alice // Hip Foodie Mom says
cumin and chili powder!
Sue says
cilantro, pico….fresh vegies, avacado
Dani Meyer says
What a great post! I love Megan’s blog!
Cumin for us and cayenne. Can’t get enough of them.
Dani
Connie says
Definitely chili powder and cumin!
Lainey says
Cumin and cilantro are my favs!
Nina says
It looks soooo delicious! Gotta try it soon!
Rachel H says
I love this post it looks darn delicious! Defiantly going to try.
Rachel,
http://sunkissedrayy.blogspot.com/
June Ebinger says
ADOBO AND CILANTRO
Emily @ Life on Food says
I love Meagan’s blog. We bought a roasted chipotle spice at a specialty store not too long ago. Love it!
Marie says
I’m a huge fan of cumin!
Elaine Isaacs says
I Put Cumin In A lot of Dishes, If there’s no cumin in it then it’s cumin to the table
Casandra says
Definitely cilantro and cumin:) I love cilantro on almost all my meals, adds a lot of flavor!:)
jessica says
cumin!
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tvtap apk says
this looks amazing <3