Best Halftime Nachos Recipes

TRASH CAN NACHOS

Steps:

• Carne Asada: Combine 2 minced garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons lime juice and 1 teaspoon kosher salt; rub all over 8 ounces skirt steak and refrigerate 30 minutes. Grill over high heat, turning, until charred, 6 to 8 minutes. Let rest, then chop.
• Super Melty Cheese (SMC): Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat; add 1 tablespoon flour and whisk until smooth and toasted, 5 minutes. Whisk in 1 cup each whole milk and heavy cream; bring to a boil. Add 2 ounces each grated mild cheddar, monterey jack, Oaxaca and asadero cheese. Whisk until melted. Stir in a pinch each of cayenne and cumin, 1 tablespoon each minced pickled jalapenos and pickled jalapeno juice and 2 tablespoons pico de gallo. Remove from the heat and keep warm.
• Black Beans: Rinse 1 cup dried black beans, then soak in water overnight; drain. Transfer to a saucepan, cover with water by 2 inches and bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer. Add 1/2 cup minced sweet onion, 1 clove minced garlic, 1/2 tablespoon kosher salt and 1 sprig epazote (or 1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano). Simmer until the beans are tender, about 1 hour, adding more water as needed. Discard the epazote.
• Make the carne asada, super melty cheese (SMC) and black beans (see above).
• Spoon some of the SMC in a large tin can (an empty 110-ounce can works well, or you can use a pot or a metal bucket). Layer 1/4 pound tortilla chips one-quarter of the way up.
• Spoon more SMC over the chips, then sprinkle with a layer each of carne asada and black beans. Sprinkle with pico de gallo, shredded cheddar, sliced jalapeno, crumbled Cotija cheese, sliced red onion, julienned radish and chopped cilantro; drizzle with Mexican crema.
• Repeat to make 3 more layers of chips, SMC, meat, beans and toppings. Place a large round platter or tray on top of the nachos; invert onto the platter and remove the can. Garnish with more pico de gallo, cilantro, red onion and jalapeno.

BREAKFAST NACHOS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Cook the waffle fries according to the package instructions on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Remove the fries from the oven and top with the black beans, bacon and cheese. Return to the oven until the cheese melts and is bubbling, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Spray the skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Pour the eggs into the hot skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the eggs are just cooked and opaque yellow, 2 to 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• While the eggs are cooking, make the guacamole. Combine the avocados, garlic, lime juice and salt and pepper to taste in a mixing bowl and mash with a fork until chunky. Add the tomato, serrano and cilantro and mix well.
• Remove the fries from the oven and top with the red onion, scallions and cooked eggs. Dollop dabs of guacamole evenly around the nachos. Serve immediately.