Recipes

Gourmet Nachos (Half Steak, Half Vegetarian)

Base serves 2 with leftovers — slide to scale the ingredients.

Ingredients (Serves 4):

Base Ingredients:

  • 1 large bag (13-16 oz) restaurant-style tortilla chips
  • 2 cups Mexican blend shredded cheese
  • 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced (seeds removed for less heat)
  • 1 small red onion, diced
  • 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup sliced black olives

Steak Half:

  • 12 oz flank or skirt steak
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

Optional Toppings:

  • Guacamole
  • Pico de gallo
  • Pickled red onions
  • Lime wedges
  • Hot sauce
  • Queso fresco
  • Sliced radishes

Instructions:

Prepare the Steak:

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. Mix chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
  3. Rub steak with olive oil, then coat evenly with spice mixture.
  4. Heat a cast-iron skillet over high heat until very hot. Sear steak for 3-4 minutes per side for medium-rare.
  5. Let rest for 10 minutes, then slice thinly against the grain.

Assemble and Bake:

  1. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Spread half the chips on one side of the baking sheet (for vegetarian half).
  3. Spread remaining chips on the other side (for steak half).
  4. Sprinkle both sides with black beans.
  5. Add sliced steak to one half only.
  6. Sprinkle both halves evenly with both types of cheese.
  7. Add jalapeño slices to both sides.
  8. Bake for 7-10 minutes, until cheese is fully melted and bubbly.

Finish and Serve:

  1. Remove from oven and immediately top both halves with diced red onion, tomatoes, and black olives.
  2. Add diced avocado and cilantro.
  3. Serve with sour cream and any optional toppings on the side.
  4. Clearly mark or announce which half contains steak.

Variations:

  • Chicken Option: Substitute steak with grilled chicken breast seasoned with the same spice mix.
  • Seafood Twist: Use grilled shrimp instead of steak.
  • Vegetarian Enhancements: Add roasted corn, bell peppers, or plant-based meat substitute to the vegetarian half.
  • Breakfast Nachos: Add scrambled eggs and breakfast potatoes to either half.

Notes:

  • For crispier chips, bake the bare chips for 5 minutes before adding toppings.
  • To keep chips from getting soggy, drain all wet ingredients well and serve wet toppings on the side.
  • For a party presentation, use a round platter and arrange toppings in sections like a color wheel.