Mexican cuisine is spicy, flavorful, and full of fun colors and exciting textures. A meal prepared by a talented Mexican chef can be an experience you’ll never forget, but if you don’t have access to experts south of the border, or if you just don’t have time to learn how to do it on your own, there are a few dishes that are so common in Mexican cooking that you can easily find them in restaurants nearly anywhere in the world.
Nachos originated in the 1940s in the American Southwest. You can make them from tortilla chips, and they can be topped with cheese, sour cream, various vegetables and sometimes even meat. Serve vegetarian nachos with salsa and guacamole, and they can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Although initially a mid-western dish, it has become popular around the country and is consumed by people of all ages.
One such dish is vegetarian nachos that you can make for your next meal. They are a better alternative to traditional nachos when you want something more filling and less greasy. It is present in almost all restaurants, so be sure to take advantage of this opportunity to add this dish to your repertoire.
The Basics
The best nachos feature a thin and crispy corn chip foundation, also known as nachos chips. The chips really take the spotlight here by providing the bedrock of the dish for other toppings to rest upon. When it comes to deciding what type of chip underlying the cheese, pico de gallo and guac, go with corn chips or tortilla chips over store-bought chips like Fritos because the ones you buy at the grocery store are almost always too thick! This way, you can get your vegetarian nachos fix without having to settle for lackluster chips.
Be sure to let the chips heat in a single layer in a skillet. If you put, say, a single layer of ten chips in a pre-heated pan, the anchos will form a bottom with either melted or melted cheese on top of it. Since melting is what you’re going for here, putting multiple chips in the pan at once prevents that from happening. The more evenly distributed they are, the crispier and evenly browned your nachos will be.
Layer in beans! A must-have
The best way to up the protein + fiber content of your nachos while also making them taste better is to layer in some kidney or pinto beans underneath other toppings. This way, you get all of the flavors with none of the dryness. Black beans are suitable for this too, but they are jam-packed with so much flavor and substance that they can sometimes be too much on their own. For a healthier alternative to refried beans, layer pinto beans on top of your vegetarian nachos. They are a great source of protein and fiber. Put a layer on baked chips, top with cheese, and heat in the oven for a few minutes for a quick meal that’s filling and delicious.
How about the garnishing?
Once the chips and cheese are in the oven, you’ve got plenty of time to prep the remaining ingredients. Saute an onion, some bell peppers, and a jalapeno if you like heat. Top with red bell pepper and jalapeños, then bake until golden. This course serves as an excellent example of how to create breakfast vegetarian nachos. Add some cumin and chili powder for depth of flavor. Then add in some salsa verde or tomatillo sauce for brightness. All that is left is to add the beans and cook until they’re warm. Serve with your favorite salsa and top with your favorite garnishments.
Salsa is the soul of loaded vegetarian nachos
Salsa is an excellent topper for loaded nachos. It is also a perfect dip for corn chips. It can be used as a marinade, dressing, and so much more. Salsa recipes are endlessly creative and delicious. It can be made with fresh or canned tomatoes crossed with onions, chilis, bell peppers, mangoes, etc. The basic salsa recipe can also come with sour cream, cheese spread, herbs and peppery spices to create the eternal flavors of salsa.
Guacamole for vegetarian nachos
There’s nothing better than a fresh guacamole recipe. This Mexican snack can turn any party into a fiesta. While there are endless variations, the basics are simple to make. All you need are avocados, onion, tomatoes, cilantro, garlic, limes and salt. To test your avocados, give them a gentle squeeze to see if they are soft when squeezed gently. Perfectly ripe avocados are vital because they are the main ingredient of this delicious appetizer that will turn your boring party into a real fiesta.
What makes loaded nachos the perfect party food?
Loaded vegetarian nachos are a cheese lover’s dream. You can pile as much cheese as you want on this dish. It’s a great choice if your friends and family have different dietary requirements, as you can easily make it vegan and gluten-free. Plus, if someone isn’t into jalapeños or olives, they can simply pick them off their plate. What’s incredible about this recipe is that it takes less than 30 minutes to prep and cook. If you start chopping vegetables at the same time you put the beans to soak, you should be able to get everything ready in 25 minutes.
Final Word
Let’s face it, nachos are one of the greatest inventions–even if they are pretty akin to the classic pizzas of the culinary world. The idea of taking tortilla chips, smothering them with gooey cheese sauce, and adding some sour cream, salsa, tender ground beef, hearty black beans, diced tomatoes, or whatever else your heart desires is just plain genius. As if that weren’t enough of an excuse to celebrate the glory of nachos (which is basically a chip and dip bowl in one convenient package), Loaded vegetarian nachos exist as a whole separate culinary entity. This version of nachos takes things to a whole other level by heaping on all sorts of toppings.
