Traditional Nachos
- Level: Intermediate
- Yield: 4 servings
- Total: 40 min
- Active: 40 min
Ingredients
Canola oil, for deep-frying
16 fresh 3-inch whole corn tortillas
2 cups Black Bean Puree, recipe follows
2 1/2 cups Queso, recipe follows
1 cup pico de gallo
3 tablespoons sliced pickled Fresno chiles or other pickled chiles
1 large avocado, pitted, peeled and diced
3 tablespoons chopped cilantro
Black Bean Puree:
1/4 cup canola oil
1/2 yellow onion, finely diced
1 jalapeno, roughly chopped (leave the seeds in)
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Two 15 1/2-ounce cans black beans, drained
1 1/2 cups chicken stock
1 cup Mexican crema
Kosher salt
Queso:
1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
2 cups heavy cream
2 teaspoons kosher salt
4 cups shredded sharp Cheddar
4 cups shredded jalapeno Jack cheese
Directions
- Heat the oil to 350 degrees F in a tabletop deep-fryer or in a Dutch oven with a deep-fry thermometer attached. Place a wire rack over a sheet pan for draining. Fry the tortillas in small batches until crisped and golden, 4 to 6 minutes. Place on the rack to drain.
- Spoon the Black Bean Puree over the bottom of a large oval platter. Arrange the fried tortillas over the top. Spoon the Queso generously all over. Top with pico de gallo, pickled chiles, avocado and cilantro.
Black Bean Puree:
- Heat a 3-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add the oil, onions, jalapeno, coriander and cumin. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onion is soft, 4 to 6 minutes. Stir in the beans. Add the stock, crema and salt to taste. Bring to a simmer. Transfer the mixture to a blender and puree. Yield: about 4 cups.
Queso:
- Melt the butter in a 3-quart saucepan set over medium heat. Stir in the flour until combined. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Switch to a whisk and slowly whisk in the milk and cream. Whisk in the salt. Switch back to a spoon and cook, stirring, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the Cheddar and Jack cheeses. Turn the heat off and allow the cheese to melt. Stir until smooth. Yield: 6 cups.