ROUSES_Fall2023_Magazine

NO MORE SOGGY NACHOS

1. Choose sturdy, thick chips that can handle the weight of various toppings. Avoid thin, restaurant style tortilla chips, as they may crack or become soggy. 2. Preheat your oven to 350ºF and line a baking sheet with the chosen chips. Make sure to spread them out evenly. 3. Sprinkle a generous amount of grated or crumbled cheese on top of the chips. Popular options like Cheddar and Monterey Jack work wonders due to their excellent melting properties. 4. Bake the nachos in the preheated oven for a brief period, about 5 to 7 minutes. The cheese will melt and create a protective layer that preserves the chips’ crispiness. 5. While the cheese and chips alone are delicious, you can take your nachos to the next level by adding additional toppings like shredded chicken, browned ground beef, cooked steak (carne asada), black beans or pinto beans. If you are using Cotija cheese, add it now. Cotija doesn’t melt the same way as Cheddar or Monterey Jack. It softens just enough to cling to the nacho chips but doesn’t coat them. 6. Return the sheet pan to the oven for a few minutes to warm these toppings. 7. Once the nachos are out of the oven, garnish them with cilantro, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, grilled corn, black olives and sliced jalapeños. 8. Serve sour cream, salsa, pico de

PICO DE GALLO Makes 2 cups

QUICK PICKLED RED ONIONS Makes about ½ cup

WHAT YOU WILL NEED: 2 cups cored, peeled, seeded and coarsely chopped tomatoes 1 cup minced white onion 1 clove garlic, minced Juice of 1 lime Salt, to taste Black pepper, to taste 1 stemmed and minced jalapeño or other hot fresh chili ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro, or more to taste

WHAT YOU WILL NEED: ½ cup apple cider vinegar 1 tablespoon sugar 1½ teaspoons kosher salt 1 medium red onion, very thinly sliced HOW TO PREP: Whisk apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt and 1 cup water in a small bowl until sugar and salt dissolve. Place onion in a jar; pour vinegar mixture over. Let sit at room temperature for 1 hour before serving.

HOW TO PREP: Combine all ingredients but the cilantro, and taste to check season ings are as desired. Stir in half the cilantro, and set aside for 30 to 60 minutes. Adjust seasoning, garnish with remaining cilantro, and serve.

gallo, guacamole and pickled red onions on the side in small bowls with spoons. This allows everyone to customize their nachos according to their preferences, and topping them just before eating keeps the nachos from getting soggy.

COTIJA CHEESE ARROW-CIRCLE-RIGHT Cotija cheese is a crumbly,

white Mexican cheese crafted from cow’s milk and named after the town of Cotija.

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