Recipe: Nachos
Bluuurgh. I can now personally vouch that these nachos are amazing, because I am stuffed. Let's examine how I got to this point. (Jesus, that was a terrible sentence.)
Nachos
Well, I forgot to take a photo of my ingredients before beginning, which uh. WHOOPS. But here's the list:
-1 block monterey jack cheese (or whatever you prefer)
-1 jalapeno
-1 can black beans
-1 bag tortilla chips (I like the Tostitos Naturals Blue Corn ones, or whatever they're called)
optional (but recommended):
-dried cilantro
-chipotle powder
-garlic powder
-salt
Whew! Well, first you're gonna grate your cheese. You could go for a bag of pre-shredded cheese, but there really is a difference. Freshly shredded cheese is softer, and just tastes better. And remember-- if you don't consider calling a physician, you don't have enough cheese. My four-ish serving recipe has a pound of cheese in it, and I'm really not sure I bought enough.
Optional: I mixed a little chipotle powder into the cheese, but you can leave it out if that isn't your thing.
Now, the beans. Open your can of black beans, and drain and rinse them. Now move them into a bowl, because otherwise stuff will fall through the holes in your collander, and sprinkle them with salt, garlic powder, and cilantro. Make sure you taste them before you call them done, because it's sort of surprising how much they need some salt. Again, this is optional, but come on. It makes them delicious.
See, they even look more delicious!
Now, just chop up a jalapeno-- or, as I mentioned in my salsa post, more than one, or another kind of pepper, etc. If you're worried about heat level, you can occasionally, in the process of chopping it, shake the half-pepper you have left over the sink, and some of the innards will fall/fly out.
Now it's time for assembly! Spray a baking sheet (one of those ones with a raised edge) with some cooking spray, and put down a layer of chips. Sprinkle on some beans and some jalapenos, making sure you don't leave sad lonely chips out.
Doesn't that look pretty? Now just smother them bitches with cheese.
Awwwww yeahhhhhh.
Now just add another layer of chips, then beans, jalapenos, cheese, etc. until you run out of something. I ended up only having two layers (maybe 3/4 of the bag of chips), because I have a cheese problem and it ran out. Now pop the pan in a 350° F oven (apparently 176.667° C, so GOOD LUCK WITH THAT, SILLY EUROPEAN FOLKS) for abooout ten minutes. I ended up turning off the oven at around seven minutes, and just let the pan stay in the oven the rest of the time. I turned it off because the cheese all looked very melted, and I think that's a good rule of thumb, to prevent burning.
Ooh, good work accidentally getting a foodie shot, Anne! Yep, there they are, all baked and pointlessly delicious. The jalapenos actually got this really nice roasty flavor, which was a nice surprise.
And there we are! Combine with salsa and sour cream, and you're set! Be sure to tell me if you try it out, and I hope you enjoy! :D
Nachos
Well, I forgot to take a photo of my ingredients before beginning, which uh. WHOOPS. But here's the list:
-1 block monterey jack cheese (or whatever you prefer)
-1 jalapeno
-1 can black beans
-1 bag tortilla chips (I like the Tostitos Naturals Blue Corn ones, or whatever they're called)
optional (but recommended):
-dried cilantro
-chipotle powder
-garlic powder
-salt
Whew! Well, first you're gonna grate your cheese. You could go for a bag of pre-shredded cheese, but there really is a difference. Freshly shredded cheese is softer, and just tastes better. And remember-- if you don't consider calling a physician, you don't have enough cheese. My four-ish serving recipe has a pound of cheese in it, and I'm really not sure I bought enough.
Optional: I mixed a little chipotle powder into the cheese, but you can leave it out if that isn't your thing.
Now, the beans. Open your can of black beans, and drain and rinse them. Now move them into a bowl, because otherwise stuff will fall through the holes in your collander, and sprinkle them with salt, garlic powder, and cilantro. Make sure you taste them before you call them done, because it's sort of surprising how much they need some salt. Again, this is optional, but come on. It makes them delicious.
See, they even look more delicious!
Now, just chop up a jalapeno-- or, as I mentioned in my salsa post, more than one, or another kind of pepper, etc. If you're worried about heat level, you can occasionally, in the process of chopping it, shake the half-pepper you have left over the sink, and some of the innards will fall/fly out.
Now it's time for assembly! Spray a baking sheet (one of those ones with a raised edge) with some cooking spray, and put down a layer of chips. Sprinkle on some beans and some jalapenos, making sure you don't leave sad lonely chips out.
Doesn't that look pretty? Now just smother them bitches with cheese.
Awwwww yeahhhhhh.
Now just add another layer of chips, then beans, jalapenos, cheese, etc. until you run out of something. I ended up only having two layers (maybe 3/4 of the bag of chips), because I have a cheese problem and it ran out. Now pop the pan in a 350° F oven (apparently 176.667° C, so GOOD LUCK WITH THAT, SILLY EUROPEAN FOLKS) for abooout ten minutes. I ended up turning off the oven at around seven minutes, and just let the pan stay in the oven the rest of the time. I turned it off because the cheese all looked very melted, and I think that's a good rule of thumb, to prevent burning.
Ooh, good work accidentally getting a foodie shot, Anne! Yep, there they are, all baked and pointlessly delicious. The jalapenos actually got this really nice roasty flavor, which was a nice surprise.
And there we are! Combine with salsa and sour cream, and you're set! Be sure to tell me if you try it out, and I hope you enjoy! :D