A Word from the Domestic Goddess

‘Tis the season for game watching
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Which requires food for noshing
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Chips and dip are kinda boring
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Why not make something worth adoring
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La-la-la-la!

In the spirit of baseball (GO RAYS!) and football (GO GATORS!) seasons, I give you my easy-peasy (promise) Uber-Yummy Nachos recipe. It’s great for a party or gathering because people can put their own serving together however they like. Oh -- beer. Goes really well with this. Really well.

Try this -- you’ll like it.


The Chips
Any sort of tortilla chip you like. Me -- I’m into the flour tortilla chips right now.

The Salsa
1 (28-ounce) can whole tomatoes, drained, reserving the juice (recommended: San Marzano)
1 small red onion, roughly chopped
1 Serrano chile
1 garlic clove, roughly chopped
2 limes, juiced
1/2 cup chopped cilantro leaves
Kosher salt
Freshly cracked black pepper
Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling

Pulse all the ingredients, except the tomato juice, in a food processor. Add the reserved tomato juice if the salsa is too thick. Drizzle salsa with olive oil, cover with plastic wrap and set aside, allowing the flavors to marry.

The Meat
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound ground sirloin
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons dark chili powder (I use ancho chili powder, but y’all use whatever you dig)
1 1/2 ground cumin, half a palmful
2 teaspoons to 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper sauce, giving you medium to hot heat level
1 can black beans, 15 ounces, drained

Heat a medium nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Add oil, garlic, onion and peppers to the pan and sauté two minutes, then add meat and crumble with wooden spoon. Season meat with salt, chili powder, cumin and cayenne pepper sauce. Cook meat five minutes, then stir in beans and reduce heat to low.

The Cheese
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups evaporated milk
3/4 pound cheddar cheese, shredded, about 2 1/2 cups

In a medium sauce pot, melt butter and add flour to it. Cook flour and butter 1 to 2 minutes over moderate heat, then whisk in milk. When milk comes to a bubble, stir in cheese with a wooden spoon. Remove cheese sauce from the heat.

The Other Stuff, As You Like It
Sour cream
Chopped scallions
Chopped black olives
Diced pimento
Sliced avocado, dressed with lemon juice
Hot pepper sauces


Y’all can figure out how to put together the nachos, I’m sure. Just do it -- and enjoy.