Welcome, human inhabitants of the world, to this edition of Paulina Cocina , where you'll find a super-easy and complete recipe for homemade Mexican nachos , with a comprehensive list of side dishes.
Nachos are a delicious and versatile Mexican dish that can be enjoyed in many different ways: with cheese, meat, guacamole, or a combination of all of them.
Nachos a delicious quick snack.
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About the nachos recipe
Today's recipe is a very typical and traditional dish of Mexican cuisine. It's prepared by frying or baking tortillas. They can then be eaten with cheese and other ingredients such as meat, guacamole, and salsas. They are often served as an appetizer or as a main course.
Why are they called that?
The origin of the name “ nachos ” is attributed to a man named Ignacio Anaya , who in 1940, was working as a cook in a restaurant in Piedras Negras, Mexico. One day, a group of customers arrived late to the restaurant and Anaya didn’t have anything ready. So, he improvised a dish using fried corn tortillas, grated cheese, and jalapeños. Anaya called these tortillas “Nachos especiales,” in honor of his nickname “Nacho .” Over time, the name was shortened to “nachos,” and the dish became a hit at the restaurant and then in other places around the world.
The most typical, nachos with cheese
The basic recipe for making nachos with cheese is quite simple. First, cut corn tortillas into small, triangular pieces. Then, fry the tortillas in hot oil until golden brown and crispy. Finally, place the fried tortillas on a baking sheet, cover them with grated cheese, and bake until the cheese is melted.
What are Mexican nachos?
Mexican nachos are a traditional dish of Mexican cuisine consisting of fried or baked corn tortillas covered with cheese and other ingredients such as meat, guacamole and salsa .
Original Mexican nachos are typically served with a variety of topping options such as meat, beans, guacamole, and salsa. One of the most popular combinations is nachos with meat and cheese, where beef or chicken is cooked and mixed with chilies, onions, and spices. It's then placed on fried tortillas and topped with grated cheese. It's then baked to melt the cheese.
Please note that there are many variations and additions you can make to give this recipe a special touch. For example:
- Add different types of meat, such as chicken, pork, or ground beef, to give it a more intense flavor.
- Add vegetables like corn, onion, bell pepper, and tomato to give them a fresh touch.
- Add different types of cheese, such as cheddar, mozzarella, or Gouda, to give them a different flavor.
- Add different sauces, such as tomato sauce, chili sauce, or avocado sauce to give them a different flavor.
- Add spices like chili powder, cumin, or garlic to give them a more intense flavor.
- Add fresh fruits like mango, avocado, and tomato to give them a fresh flavor.
- Add nuts such as walnuts, almonds, and pistachios to give them a crunchy flavor.
- Add sour cream, yogurt, or cream to give them a creamy flavor.
- Add a variety of fresh herbs such as cilantro, oregano, lemongrass, or thyme to give them a fresh flavor.
- Use different types of tortillas, such as flour tortillas or whole wheat corn tortillas, to give them a different flavor.
Nachos with guacamole
Guacamole is another popular topping for nachos and our beloved Mexican tacos then placed on fried tortillas and topped with grated cheese before baking.
I invite you to see 10 Mexican food recipes that you can't miss !
What's in nachos?
Nachos are a traditional Mexican dish consisting of fried or toasted corn tortillas topped with grated cheese, jalapeños, beans, sour cream, guacamole, and other ingredients. They are often served as an appetizer or light meal, but can also be a main dish. They are popular worldwide and can be found in many restaurants and fast food places.
What meat is used?
The most commonly used meat is ground beef or ground chicken . However, other varieties of meat, such as pork or lamb, can also be used. Some restaurants offer shrimp or fish options for nachos. The meat is cooked before being added along with other ingredients such as shredded cheese, jalapeños, beans, sour cream, guacamole, and other toppings.
What is the difference between nachos and totopos?
Nachos and totopos are traditional Mexican dishes based on corn tortillas, but they differ in their preparation and presentation. Nachos are fried or toasted corn tortillas topped with grated cheese, jalapeños, beans, sour cream, guacamole, and other ingredients, and are usually served as an appetizer or light meal. Totopos, on the other hand, are raw or lightly toasted corn tortillas cut into squares and served with salsa or guacamole. They are generally used as a side dish or for dipping in sauces.
Mexican nachos recipe
- Yields: 250 gr of nachos
- Total preparation time: 1 hr
Mass ingredients
- 80 ml of olive oil
- 150 g of corn flour
- 50 gr of wheat flour
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1 pinch of pepper
- Water quantity needed (approx. 160 ml)
- Pinch of paprika optional
- Pinch of turmeric.
- Garlic powder optional
How to make baked nachos at home
- Preheat the oven to high heat.
- Sift the corn flour and wheat flour into a large bowl and knead lightly. Add salt, pepper, and paprika, if desired.
- Add a splash of olive oil and begin to slowly add hot water, allowing the flour to absorb it.
- Continue adding water little by little, kneading all the while to ensure the nacho dough is smooth. Knead until the dough no longer sticks to your hands. Once done, let the dough rest, covered, for 30 minutes.
- Roll out a piece of parchment paper on a flat surface and place the dough on top. Cover with another piece of parchment paper and roll out the dough with a rolling pin. Try to stretch the dough and make it as thin as possible.
- Once done, lift the parchment paper and cut it into triangles.
- Place the parchment paper with the cut nachos on a baking sheet. Freeze for 1 hour.
- Once the time has elapsed, place the baking sheet in a preheated oven. Brush the nachos with olive oil. Bake for 10-15 minutes.
- At this point, you can also fry them. Place them in hot oil and, when golden brown, place them on absorbent paper to remove excess oil.
- Let it cool and serve.
Accompanying Options
- Creamy avocado : Mash the avocado with a touch of olive oil and lemon or lime juice, season with salt and pepper, and set aside. If you want to make guacamole, add diced onion and tomato.
- Pico de gallo : Dice the onion and tomatoes. Mix in a bowl with chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Add lime or lemon juice, mix, and let it sit while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
- Cheddar Cheese Sauce: Mix cheddar with a touch of cream in a small saucepan and melt.
- Chili con queso: Cook the ground beef in a skillet. Drain off the excess fat, add onion and garlic, and continue cooking for 5 minutes. Add tomato sauce, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix and cook for a few more minutes. Add grated cheese and milk to the skillet with the beef. Stir for 5 minutes.
- Chickpea or eggplant hummus.
