INDIAN-ISH NACHOS WITH CHEDDAR, BLACK BEANS AND CHUTNEY

Indian-ish Nachos With Cheddar, Black Beans and Chutney image

Provided by Priya Krishna and Ritu Krishna

Time 30m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

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1 large bunch fresh cilantro, leaves and tender stems roughly chopped (about 4 cups)
1 small Indian green chile or serrano chile, stem removed and roughly chopped
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (from about 1 lime), plus more as needed
1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
Kosher salt
1 (8-ounce) bag white corn tortilla chips, preferably unsalted
1 medium red onion, finely chopped
2 medium Roma tomatoes, cored and finely chopped
4 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (about 1 pound)
1/4 cup store-bought tamarind sauce (or 1/4 cup date syrup or maple syrup whisked with 1 tablespoon lime juice)
1/4 cup ghee or olive oil
2 tablespoons cumin seeds
Pinch of red chile powder, such as ground cayenne
Greek yogurt, for serving (optional)

Steps:

Heat the oven to 425 degrees. Make the chutney: In a blender, combine the cilantro, green chile, lime juice, sugar and salt and blend until smooth. If the mixture is too thick to blend, add up to 3 tablespoons water, a tablespoon at a time, to get it going. Taste and adjust the salt and lime juice, if needed. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, lightly mash the beans with a fork (this is so they won't roll off the chips), and season them with salt. On a foil-lined 13-by-18-inch sheet pan, arrange half the chips, followed by half the beans, onions, tomatoes and cheese (in that order). Repeat to make a second layer. Bake for 7 to 10 minutes on the highest rack of the oven, until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
While the nachos are in the oven, make the chhonk: In a small pan or a butter warmer over medium-high, heat the ghee. Once the ghee melts (or the oil begins to shimmer), add the cumin seeds and cook until they start to sputter and brown, about 15 seconds. Immediately remove the pan from the heat and stir in the red chile powder. Set aside.
Evenly drizzle the cilantro chutney and the tamarind sauce on top of the nachos, followed by the chhonk. Add a few dollops of the Greek yogurt, if using.