Sarasota's Gourmet Seafood Nachos with Tropical Mango Salsa
Indulge in Sarasota's Gourmet Seafood Nachos, a delightful twist on classic nachos that combines the richness of crab, shrimp, and an optional selection of gourmet seafood like scallops and lobster. This dish is not only visually stunning with layers of melted cheese and seafood but also packed with flavors, thanks to the fresh mango salsa that harmonizes beautifully with the savory nachos. Perfect for hosting friends or enjoying a cozy movie night, these nachos are made even more special by personalizing with your favorite toppings like avocado, sour cream, and fresh lime. Whether you prepare them in individual foil pouches for a unique presentation or serve them family-style in a sharing platter, they are sure to impress your guests. Quick and easy to assemble, these nachos are your go-to option for elevating any gathering into a memorable experience. Don't skimp on the mango salsa—it's the star of this dish!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
29
Ingredients
Ingredients
White tortilla chips
16 ounces (none)
Cheddar cheese
1 cup (grated (preferably white))
Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup (grated)
Monterey Jack pepper cheese
2 cups (grated)
Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup (grated (more or less to taste))
Crabmeat
8 ounces (prepared from deli or lump crab in a can)
Shrimp
1/2 lb (roughly chopped)
Seafood (lobster or scallops)
1/2 lb (roughly chopped (or more shrimp or crab))
Heavy cream
1 cup (none)
Jalapeno
1 small (ribs and seeds removed, finely diced)
Shallots
2 (finely diced)
Minced garlic
1 teaspoon (none)
Butter
1 tablespoon (none)
Flour
1 teaspoon (none)
Cumin
1 pinch (none)
Salt
to taste (none)
Pepper
to taste (none)
Mango
1 medium (peeled and finely chopped)
Red bell pepper
1/4 cup (finely chopped)
Scallions
2 (finely diced (white and green parts))
Fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons (finely minced)
Fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons (none)
Olive oil
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Avocado
to taste (diced (or use guacamole))
Tomatoes
to taste (diced)
Black olives
to taste (diced)
Iceberg lettuce
to taste (shredded)
Sour cream
to taste (none)
Lime
cut in wedges (to squeeze over the top)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a large 13x9-inch baking dish or individual foil pouches, ensuring they are coated with non-stick spray or lined with parchment for easy cleanup.
2
For the Mango Salsa: In a small bowl, combine the diced mango, red bell pepper, scallions, cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well and set aside, preferably refrigerating for 1-4 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
3
For the Seafood Sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and diced shallots, sautéing for about 2 minutes until fragrant. Sprinkle the flour into the mixture, whisking continuously for 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste.
4
Gradually pour in the heavy cream, stirring until fully incorporated. Season with salt, pepper, and cumin. Add in the uncooked shrimp, scallops, or lobster, cooking for 2-3 minutes until the seafood is opaque. Finally, gently fold in the crab meat and allow the sauce to simmer on low heat.
5
For Assembling the Nachos: Spread half of the tortilla chips evenly across the bottom of the baking dish or pouches. Top with half of the cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, and pepper jack cheese. Bake for 2-4 minutes until the cheese melts.
6
Remove from the oven and spoon half of the seafood sauce over the melted cheese. Layer the remaining tortilla chips, followed by the rest of the cheese and seafood sauce, and finish with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Bake again for another 3-4 minutes until everything is bubbly and golden.
7
To Serve: If using pouches, let each guest personalize their nachos with mango salsa, avocado, diced tomatoes, black olives, shredded lettuce, sour cream, and lime wedges. For a family-style presentation, serve the nachos on a large platter over a bed of shredded lettuce, generously topping them with the mango salsa and desired toppings.
8
Enjoy your gourmet seafood nachos as a luxurious appetizer or a satisfying main course paired with your favorite drinks!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Sarasota's Gourmet Seafood Nachos?
Sarasota's Gourmet Seafood Nachos are a luxurious twist on traditional nachos featuring layers of crab, shrimp, and gourmet seafood like scallops or lobster, topped with a fresh tropical mango salsa.
What types of seafood are included in this recipe?
The recipe uses 8 ounces of crabmeat, 1/2 lb of chopped shrimp, and 1/2 lb of additional gourmet seafood such as lobster or scallops.
How do you make the Tropical Mango Salsa?
Combine diced mango, red bell pepper, scallions, cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, and salt and pepper in a small bowl.
How long should the mango salsa sit before serving?
It is recommended to refrigerate the mango salsa for 1 to 4 hours to allow the flavors to properly meld.
What temperature should the oven be for baking the nachos?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) before beginning the assembly.
What cheeses are best for these seafood nachos?
This recipe uses a blend of white Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Monterey Jack pepper cheese, and a finishing touch of Parmesan cheese.
How do I make the creamy seafood sauce?
Sauté garlic and shallots in butter, whisk in flour, add heavy cream and spices, then cook the seafood in the liquid until opaque before folding in the crab.
How should I layer the nachos for the best results?
Spread half the chips and cheese, bake to melt, then add half the seafood sauce. Repeat the layers and finish with Parmesan before a final bake.
Can I make these nachos as individual servings?
Yes, you can prepare them in individual foil pouches for a unique presentation and personalized topping options.
What ingredients are in the seafood sauce seasoning?
The sauce is seasoned with minced garlic, diced shallots, a pinch of cumin, salt, and pepper.
Is the mango salsa spicy?
The salsa itself is tropical and fresh, though the nachos include a small jalapeno (ribs and seeds removed) and pepper jack cheese for a mild kick.
How long does it take to bake the cheese layers?
The initial cheese layer takes 2-4 minutes to melt, and the final bake takes another 3-4 minutes until bubbly.
Can I substitute the lobster or scallops?
Yes, if you don't have lobster or scallops, you can simply use additional shrimp or crabmeat.
What is the serving suggestion for a family-style presentation?
Serve the hot nachos on a large platter over a bed of shredded iceberg lettuce and top generously with the mango salsa.
What garnishes go well with these nachos?
Recommended garnishes include diced avocado, tomatoes, black olives, sour cream, and fresh lime wedges.
How do I prepare the shrimp for the sauce?
The shrimp should be roughly chopped before being added to the sauce to ensure even distribution.
What type of tortilla chips should I use?
The recipe calls for 16 ounces of white tortilla chips.
How much heavy cream is needed for the sauce?
You will need 1 cup of heavy cream to create the rich seafood sauce base.
What role does the flour play in the recipe?
One teaspoon of flour is used as a thickener to create a roux with the butter before adding the cream.
How do I ensure the seafood doesn't overcook?
Cook the shrimp and scallops in the sauce for only 2-3 minutes until opaque, then immediately turn the heat to low before folding in the crab.
Can I use bottled lime juice?
While fresh lime juice is recommended for the best flavor in the salsa, bottled can be used in a pinch.
What is the best way to prepare the baking dish?
Use a 13x9-inch baking dish coated with non-stick spray or lined with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Is this recipe considered an appetizer or a main course?
It can be served as a luxurious appetizer for parties or as a satisfying main course.
How many shallots are needed for the seafood sauce?
The recipe requires 2 finely diced shallots.
Should the crabmeat be fresh or canned?
You can use either deli-prepared crab or lump crab from a can.
How much mango is required for the salsa?
One medium mango, peeled and finely chopped, is used for the salsa.
Can I use guacamole instead of fresh avocado?
Yes, the recipe suggests either diced avocado or guacamole as a topping to taste.
What provides the 'tropical' flavor in this dish?
The tropical flavor comes primarily from the fresh mango salsa and the squeeze of fresh lime juice.
How many types of Monterey Jack cheese are used?
Two types are used: 1 cup of standard Monterey Jack and 2 cups of Monterey Jack pepper cheese.
What is the final step before serving?
The final step is to top the hot nachos with the chilled mango salsa and your choice of cold toppings like sour cream and avocado.