Gourmet Fiesta Nachos
Indulge in these Gourmet Fiesta Nachos, a vibrant and hearty dish crafted with all-natural ingredients that promise a burst of flavor in every bite. Skip the processed cheese and elevate your nacho game by layering crispy corn tortilla chips with a zesty homemade salsa featuring vine-ripened tomatoes, jalapenos, and fresh cilantro. Ground sirloin is seasoned to perfection with spices and combined with creamy, rich Monterey Jack cheese sauce, making these nachos a satisfying treat. Top them off with a selection of fresh garnishes like avocado, scallions, and olives for an impressive snack or lunch option that will wow your guests and leave them coming back for more.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
25
Ingredients
Ingredients
vine ripe tomatoes
4 (seeded and chopped)
jalapeno pepper
1 (seeded and finely chopped)
small white onion
1 (chopped)
cilantro leaf
1/4 cup (finely chopped)
salt
to taste
extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon
ground sirloin
1 lb
garlic cloves
2 (chopped)
small onion
1 (chopped)
jalapeno pepper
1 (seeded and chopped)
salt
1 teaspoon
dark chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons
ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons (half a palmful)
cayenne pepper sauce
1 tablespoon
black beans
1 (14 ounce) can (drained)
butter
2 tablespoons
all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons
milk
2 cups
monterey jack pepper cheese
3/4 lb (shredded, about 2 1/2 cups)
sour cream
to taste
chopped scallion
to taste
chopped black olives
to taste
diced pimento
to taste
sliced avocado
1 (dressed with lemon juice)
hot pepper sauces
to taste
Instructions
1
Begin by arranging a colorful mixture of two varieties of corn tortilla chips on a large platter or utilize a broiler pan for easier serving.
2
In a medium bowl, combine the chopped tomatoes, jalapeno, onion, cilantro, and a pinch of salt. Stir together and set aside to let the flavors marry into a refreshing pico de gallo.
3
Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the extra virgin olive oil, garlic, chopped onion, and peppers. Sauté for about 2 minutes until fragrant.
4
Add the ground sirloin, crumbling it with a wooden spoon. Season the meat with salt, dark chili powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper sauce. Cook for 5 minutes until the meat is browned and fully cooked.
5
Stir in the drained black beans and reduce the heat to low, allowing the flavors to meld together.
6
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over moderate heat. Add the flour and whisk continuously for 1 to 2 minutes to create a roux.
7
Gradually whisk in the milk until the mixture is smooth and begins to bubble. Stir in the shredded Monterey Jack cheese until melted and creamy, then remove from heat.
8
Drizzle the cheese sauce generously over the platter of tortilla chips. Evenly distribute the beef and bean mixture on top, followed by the prepared pico de gallo.
9
Serve immediately, allowing guests to customize their nachos with additional toppings such as sour cream, chopped scallions, black olives, diced pimento, avocado, and hot pepper sauces.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Gourmet Fiesta Nachos?
Gourmet Fiesta Nachos are a vibrant and hearty dish made with corn tortilla chips, seasoned ground sirloin, a homemade Monterey Jack cheese sauce, and fresh pico de gallo.
What kind of meat is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for one pound of ground sirloin, seasoned to perfection with various spices.
How is the cheese sauce for these nachos prepared?
The sauce is made by creating a roux with butter and flour, whisking in milk until thickened, and then melting in shredded Monterey Jack pepper cheese.
What type of cheese is recommended for the sauce?
The recipe specifies using 3/4 pound of shredded Monterey Jack pepper cheese for a creamy and slightly spicy finish.
What ingredients are in the homemade salsa?
The homemade pico de gallo consists of vine-ripened tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, white onion, fresh cilantro, and a pinch of salt.
What spices are used to season the ground sirloin?
The meat is seasoned with salt, dark chili powder, ground cumin, and cayenne pepper sauce.
Can I make these nachos vegetarian?
Yes, the meat can be omitted or replaced with a plant-based alternative, and the recipe already includes black beans for protein.
How long does it take to cook the beef mixture?
The ground sirloin should be browned and cooked for approximately 5 minutes after the aromatics have been sautéed.
What are the suggested garnishes for Gourmet Fiesta Nachos?
Suggested garnishes include sour cream, chopped scallions, black olives, diced pimento, avocado, and hot pepper sauces.
How should the tortilla chips be arranged?
Arrange a colorful mixture of two varieties of corn tortilla chips on a large platter or a broiler pan for easy serving.
Are there beans included in this nacho recipe?
Yes, one 14-ounce can of drained black beans is stirred into the seasoned beef mixture.
How do I make the roux for the cheese sauce?
Melt 2 tablespoons of butter over moderate heat and whisk in 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour for 1 to 2 minutes.
How should the avocado be prepared as a topping?
One avocado should be sliced and dressed with lemon juice to prevent browning before being served.
What is the first step in the assembly process?
The assembly begins by drizzling the warm cheese sauce generously over the platter of arranged tortilla chips.
Is this recipe considered spicy?
The recipe has a moderate kick from jalapenos, dark chili powder, and cayenne pepper sauce, but spice levels can be adjusted to taste.
What kind of oil is used for sautéing the vegetables?
One tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil is used to sauté the garlic, onions, and peppers.
How many garlic cloves are required for the recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 chopped garlic cloves to be sautéed with the onions and peppers.
Can I use store-bought salsa instead of making pico de gallo?
While you can use store-bought, the recipe recommends a fresh, homemade mixture of tomatoes, onions, and cilantro for a gourmet flavor.
What is the best way to serve these nachos?
They should be served immediately after assembly to ensure the chips remain crispy and the cheese sauce stays melted.
What are the tags associated with this recipe?
This recipe is tagged as nachos, snack, lunch, Mexican, party food, and gourmet.
How many ingredients are in this recipe in total?
There are 25 total ingredients used in the preparation and garnishing of these nachos.
How should the jalapenos be prepared for the salsa?
For the pico de gallo, the jalapeno should be seeded and finely chopped.
Is milk required for the cheese sauce?
Yes, 2 cups of milk are whisked into the roux to create the base for the Monterey Jack cheese sauce.
What gives the beef its dark, smoky flavor?
The combination of dark chili powder and ground cumin provides a rich and smoky flavor profile to the ground sirloin.
Are these nachos suitable for a large group?
Yes, they are designed as a platter-style dish perfect for parties or as a hearty snack for guests.
What provides the acidity in the salsa?
The vine-ripened tomatoes provide natural acidity, which is often balanced by the fresh cilantro and onions.
Can I use different types of beans?
While black beans are specified, you could substitute them with pinto beans or kidney beans if desired.
What is the purpose of the pimento topping?
Diced pimentos add a pop of color and a mild, sweet pepper flavor as an optional garnish.
How do I ensure the cheese sauce is smooth?
Gradually whisk the milk into the roux and stir constantly until the mixture bubbles before adding the cheese.
Can I add extra hot sauce?
Yes, the recipe suggests providing hot pepper sauces on the side so guests can customize their own spice level.