Tuesday 27 October 2015

Loaded Nachos


I wonder if any of you like Nachos. The first time I ate Nachos was at Chilis. But I had my first glimpse of Nachos at another restaurant many years ago where I observed two ladies digging into a pile of something that looked really delicious.


They were clearly enjoying themselves, scooping the gooey contents with the corn chips. Though I had never ever seen what Nachos looked like, I correctly guessed that those were Nachos. 


So the first opportunity I got, which was at Chilis, I ordered the Nachos. At Chillis, you have a choice of beef, chicken or a combo. Of course, there is no question about it, my choice is beef. I mean, Chicken Nachos? Nehhhh!!!


OK, let's get down to making Nachos. It's not difficult at all. But you need to do some cooking. In my case, I had leftover beef from making Loaded Potato Skins. So that made it very convenient for me to make my maiden Nachos. 

The recipe called for adding Ranch Style Beans (which I love!) but I could not get any. I remember seeing them at Cold Storage but it appears that Ranch Beans are not available anymore. There was Mexican Beans and Chilli Beans but they were quite pricey, so I did not get any.


So what did I do? I added regular Baked Beans to the beef. And yes my friends, it worked beautifully! Now, once your cooked beef or whatever meat you are using is ready, you can now build your Nachos. One of the building blocks is of course tortilla chips. These are easily available at the nom nom section of the supermarket. I used these :


One small packet will do unless if you want to make a portion enough to feed a battalion. Oh, I forgot. You need to make the Pico de Gallo first. But this is optional. If you don't want veggies in your Nachos, it's fine.

Picco de Gallo.
First up, lay a layer of tortilla chips on your platter. Then layer the beef/beans mixture on top of the chips. Top with grated cheese. Then layer again with chips, beef and cheese. Bake the whole lot at 180C for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted.

Before baking.

Just before the Nachos is ready, dice up half an avocado. When the Nachos are out of the oven, top with the avocado and picco de gallo. And enjoy! This is best eaten hot from the oven while the cheese is gooey. 

After, all melted. Not much cheese for me. We have a love hate relationship. 
I tell ya, this is one heck of a Nachos! Better than Chillis' I dare say. I remember the one at Chicago was quite pathetic. So sparse with the filling and it was made with shredded chicken. In fact not too long ago when I had Nachos again at Chillis, it was not as good as the first time.

Want?

After I snapped the pics of this awesome Nachos, I sat down to enjoy this big crunchy pile of deliciousness. In fact I had this two days in a row. Why? Because it was so damn good and because I could not take pictures of the first one due to unfavorable lighting conditions. For my first attempt, I used curry flavored tortilla chips. That was simply awesome!


Well, I don't need to eat Nachos at Chillis anymore. In fact I don't want to, since I can make a far better version at home. I think I have had my fill of Nachos for now hah...hah...

Here, open your mouth wide!

So, what are you waiting for, Nacho lovers? Make your own at home and enjoy it to the max with your family and friends. Or if you have piggy tendencies like me, make one and polish it off all by yourself. Hah!











Loaded Nachos 
Recipe source : Adapted from The Pioneer Woman

Ingredients :

For the meat filling :
- 150g minced beef
- 1/4 packet McCormick Fajita seasoning, or to taste
- 1 small yellow onion
- 1 small can baked beans

For Pico de Gallo :
- 1 tomato, diced
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- a handful of coriander leaves, finely shreded
- 2 small limes
- salt to taste

Other items :
- 1 small packet Tortilla chips
- 1/2 avocado, diced
- grated cheese of your choice

Method :

For the meat filling :
1. Heat oil in a pan and saute onions until wilted and translucent.
2. Add mince beef and cook until the meat is no longer pink.
3. Add Fajita seasoning and mix into the meat.
4. Continue to cook until most of the liquids have evaporated.
5. Add baked beans and cook for another 5 minutes.
6. Set aside.

For Pico de Gallo :
1. Mix tomato, onions and corrainder in a mixing bowl.
2. Squeeze lime juice and mix.
3. Add salt to taste.
4. Set aside.

To assemble :
1. In a heatproof plate, line a layer of tortilla chips.
2. Then layer the beef over the chips.
3. Top with grated cheese.
4. Repeat with another layer of chips.
5. Top with beef and then with grated cheese.
6. Bake at 180C for 10-15 minutes or until cheese has melted.
7. Remove from oven,
8. Top with diced avocado and pico de gallo.
9. Serve immediately.


44 comments:

  1. Phong Hong, I don't know what is Nachos because I haven't eaten any yet. But after reading through your post and looking at the mouth watering pictures of your loaded Nachos, I wish to make some for myself. Lol!

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    1. Nancy, if you like cheese and beef (can also make with pork) then I believe you will enjoy Nachos!

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  2. You asked who likes Nachos.. Me me ! I first had my nachos when I was buying chips from 7-11.. That time, of course I preferred Twisties and Super Rings to Nachos, but my sister said Nachos is "good" and "healthy" wor.. I ate it just like that, until I go Chilis, then only I know they serve nachos with cheese/spinach dips.. Refillable somemore, jakun me.. That was many years ago.. Then I started seeing people serving nachos in house warmings and house parties.. They put a big bowl of nachos in the middle of the table, then got cheese sauce (like KFC cheesy wedges punyer cheese sauce) as dips.. But your nachos is the best la, got beef chilli in it, wah, I love it babe !!

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    1. Louiz, Nachos is really nice to munch on, cannot stop one hee..hee... And make this loaded one, wah! Really heavenly. I know you would love it :)

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  3. My daughter would love this!

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  4. Oh dear, u know Phong Hong, your this post makes me wanted to go to the supermarket to get a packet of Nachos to eat while surfing net or watching tv... hehe...

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    1. hee..hee..I also like to munch while surfing net or watching TV. Not good for the waistline wor....

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  5. Your plate of nachos looks mouth-watering good even to me who is not a fan of nachos.

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    1. Thanks, Veronica! I wonder if you will be converted hah..hah...

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  6. awww sekali masuk this post and saw that plate of sinfully mouthwatering nachos, I straight away drooling already lah!!! evil evil..

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    1. give me five!! if not mistaken, my first time trying nachos was in Chili's too!! errr, mine was that cheap basic (and bottomless) nachos, no toppings but comes with complementary salsa.. hehe!! :p

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    2. you used Chachos for your nachos!! actually that Chachos is already very nice eating just on its own leh, I love that especially the cheese flavor!! and though getting more and more ex, yet still the more economical one we can get in the shelves..

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    3. I thought you will be using those imported tortillas chips, but you used Chachos which is already flavored.. wah, with all your toppings sure even more delicious!! no wonder you had it two days in a row!! hehe~~ :p

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    4. one day I am so gonna make this in my office, muahaha!! I can imagine the whole office is going to smell nachos, and everyone will not be able to resist it!! fattening and high calories, put it aside first when great food is served in front of you, hehehehe!!! xD

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    5. hah..hah... The bottomless one I think is tostadas. I had it once but I did not like their tomato salsa. Wah, if you make in the office better make more because everybody will make a beeline for it hee..hee...

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  7. Oh I love Nachos! But never thought of making them at home. You tempt me ... aiyoh !

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    1. Karen, can make and I bet your big kids will love it!

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  8. My family and I love nachos!

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  9. I love love love nachos! I'll definitely spam more cheese on top... love additional cheesiness from the nachos! ;)

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    1. Yup, loads of cheese for the cheese lovers!

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  10. I am impartial to tortilla chips but I love those avocado, picco de gallo, beans, beef, and cheese. So can you or can't you eat cheese? My spouse does not eat cheese so if I order this dish outside I am going to die from being too full from having to eat this all by myself unless I can get my cavalry to join me.

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    1. Mun, I can eat cheese but depends what cheese and what dishes. I only eat cheddar cheese in sandwiches, omelettes or mozzarella on pizza. Or any other mild cheese in dishes like Nachos or the Southwestern Egg Rolls at Chilis. Other than that, I cannot tahan eg Parmesan, Blue Cheese or those strong smelling ones.

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  11. I never ordered or tried nachos before. I don't know, I don't like the sight of it. It looks like a pile of sh... mess to me...

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    1. For the sake of your health and weight, it's best you continue to see it as a pile of s**t or mess. This thing is bloody fattening!

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  12. Hi Phong Hong,

    I see your enjoyment!!! We like nachos with lots of cheese cheese cheese too... Nay to the sparse sparse cheesy nachos. Shame on Chicago!!! We all know we won't do this kind of stingy act at home :p

    Zoe

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    1. Hi Zoe! Agree 101% I'll never eat Nachos anywhere else now :D

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  13. Phong Hong, that looks absolutely delicious!!!

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    1. Hi Diana! It was so delicious I ate the whole thing up all by myself hah..hah...

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  14. I don't like nachos simply because it always comes with cheese....but I do like that pico de gallo, I just call it salsa. If you like this type of food, I think you'd enjoy Mexican food. Again, I'm surprised that you don't like cheese sauce but seems to like quite a few things that come with cheese, like these nachos, cheese loaded potato skins, pastas and salads with cheese.

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    1. Yes, I do take cheese but mild cheese like cheddar. I don't mind cheese in sandwiches, pizza, nachos or any savory food. What I cannot tolerate is parmesan, blue cheese and any other strong smelling cheese. As for cheesecake, they must contain vanilla extract, or else I cannot eat. In fact I don't like Uncle Testsu cheesecake because it's too strong smelling for me.

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  15. The Americans taught me how to eat the Mexican food and nachos. I have been hooked ever since. I am interested to make them now that you showed how easy it is.
    That Chicago has closed down in One-Utama!!

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    1. Oh, tutup shop already! hah..hah...I didn't know and I am not surprised.

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  16. Hi Phong Hong, looks so good that I wish to pick at them right away.

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    1. Hi Kimmy! It is crunchy and savory. I like it a lot.

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  17. Hi Phonh Hong, great appetizer. This one sure hard to stop munching. hahaha...

    Best regards
    Amelia

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    1. Hi Amelia! This one is a diet breaker hah..hah...

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  18. I love Nachos too! More cheesy the better :D Homemade is definitely the best!

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    Replies
    1. Ann, I see that you are a cheese lover!

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  19. oh no.....soon i think someone will ask me make this liao......

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