15 Tips for Perfect Nachos

Nachos are easy, they are versatile, they take under thirty minutes, and they are awesome. I feel like I could almost stop there because it seems silly to write out a recipe for something so simple.

But….I have tasted nachos that were, as Kyrie used to say, “Miss-gusting!” Now, no one wants to have “Miss-gusting” nachos so I thought that with this recipe I would make sure that you didn’t use Miss Gusting’s recipe.

So here are some tips for really awesome nachos-

1. They should be crispy and light, and that is really only achievable with homemade tortilla chips. One more time, homemade tortilla chips are so easy to make and so inexpensive that you will never go back to buying them if you ever make them once. Just cut in wedges and fry at 375F until light and crispy.
2. Don’t salt the chips. Add salt to the nachos as needed
3. If you are using meat with your nachos then season it with cumin, garlic, salt, pepper, and a pinch of chipotle as it cooks.
4. Use medium cheddar, the real thing not that ooblek-like sauce from a can
5. Use fresh hot peppers. Try a variety:jalapeno, bonnet, chipotle, serrano…
6. Use Vidalia onions or Texas 1015s
7. Add grated cheese in addition to the melted cheese once it comes out of the oven, better presentation
8. Lots of fresh, chopped cilantro
9. Grate lime zest over top after baking, serve with limes for drizzling..wakes up the flavor
10. Chop the peppers rather than slicing, flavors blend better
11. If you are adding beans,tomatoes, guac., or avocado add them just before serving to prevent sogginess
12. Don’t be afraid to use a little cubed mango sprinkled on chicken nachos, seriously
13. Make layers rather than one  layer. Layer of chips, layer of filling, layer of cheese, repeat once or twice
14. Broil, don’t bake..never ever ever microwave
15. Serve immediately

That is about it. You can use any meat you like, or none at all. Experiment of course. Nachos are a great, quick dinner or lunch. If you have a cilantro hater, like I do, just leave the cilantro bigger so they can pick it off.

You might want to check out my really cool tie-dyed tortilla chips for a little color in your nachos.

Here are recipes for:

Chicken Nachos

Beef and Cheese Nachos Supreme

image:MaryeAudet