Reuben has been telling me for some time that I need to blog more of my recipes. I’ve always been a bit hesitant to do so as I am not a food blogger, or a chef, or particularly confident of my abilities in the kitchen. However! Since the people I feed generally seem to enjoy the stuff I make and the feedback on the couple of recipes I posted long ago has been overwhelmingly positive, I’ve decided that in 2013 I’ll make an effort to be a little more confident in sharing some of my own recipes. It’ll mostly be really simple food with an emphasis on fresh produce, because that’s what I like to make and eat!
This meal is so ridiculously simple I’m reluctant to even call it a recipe, but when I posted a picture of my cheaty veggie nachos a little while ago a few people asked about it, so it seemed like a good place to start. My nachos are loosely based on the incredible nachos served at one of our favourite Bendigo cafes, Old Green Bean (seen in this post). The “recipe” changes every time I make it depending on what ingredients I have on hand, so you can use whatever veggies or herbs are in your fridge, or according to taste. These nachos might not be terribly authentic but they are seriously delicious!
You’ll need:
Corn Chips
Canned Kidney Beans (1 Can per Packet of Corn Chips)
Grated Tasty Cheese
Herbs and Veggies for Salsa – Tomatoes, Capsicum, Corn, Onion, Chilli, Coriander, Parsley (What ever takes your fancy!)
1 Avocado (or 2 if you like a lot of Guacamole like I do)
1 or 2 Cloves of Garlic
An extra Tomato
Sour Cream
1. Preheat your oven to 200ºC. Strain and rinse your kidney beans.
2. Spread corn chips out evenly in a baking dish then spread a layer of kidney beans over the top. Sprinkle corn chips and beans generously with grated cheese, then pop it all in the oven for 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese melts and starts to turn slightly golden.
3. While your corn chips, beans and cheese are in the oven, prepare your salsa. Simply chop whatever vegetables and/or herbs you want to use finely, then mix it all together in a bowl. For the version above I used fresh tomatoes, canned corn, fresh capsicum and (the secret ingredient!) a little crumbled feta. If I’d had a red onion on hand I would have added that too. I also really like fresh coriander in my salsa, but Reubs isn’t a fan so I omit it. A squeeze of lemon juice and/or a little fresh garlic wouldn’t go astray either. Really, it all comes down to personal preference. Use your imagination!
4. To make your guacamole roughly chop your remaining tomato, garlic and avocado then wizz it all together in a food processor, adding sour cream to taste.
5. Take your corn chips, beans and cheese out of the oven, then pile your salsa and guacamole on top. You might like to add a dollop of sour cream and (if you’re feeling fancy) garnish it with a pretty sprinkle of fresh herbs. Reubs and I are also quite partial to finishing ours with a few jalapenos (like they do at Old Green Bean).
That’s it! Yummy, super quick and easy (so perfect for a fast midweek meal) and absolutely bursting with lovely, nourishing veggies. It doesn’t get much better than that!
It look delicious, healthy and cloroful!
sorry…*colorful!
Hi Katie. I agree with Reuben. Food is a part of life so it good to see it here. Your nachos look delicious. All the best for 2013 to you both!
Thanks Rhonda! And of course you’re right, food is a big, BIG part of life, so it make sense to share it here. Happy New Year! xx
Thanks for the recipe! One of my resolutions for 2013 is to vary my daily meals. So, I think I’ll try this one. It looks delicious!
Yum yum! I’ll have to try this soon!
Yum! this looks so good! I’ve never tried making my own nachos before, and since I’m on a healthier food curb… this looks excellent!
Homemade nachos are SO easy and SO good Milynn! You must give them a try
That looks too good for words. I am going to make it.
My family will go “Cooooorn?… Beeeeans? *whine whine*
My family can suck it.
: )
Oh, yum! These look great!
Reuben is right…..share your recipes here. Yours pics always look so good, it would be great to have recipes for some of the delights you whip up. I’m looking forward to seeing more of them.
xox
Thanks so much Katie. This recipe looks absolutely scrumptious…simple and healthy too. I agree with Reuben and I’m looking forward to seeing more.
Happy New Year!
Fiona
There is no reason why I don’t need to make these!
those look super yummy! so glad I stumbled upon your blog! new follower!
happy new year!
Saralyn
http://www.studiomaisonblog.us look super yummy!
This is something no Dutch person would come up with, I’m going to give it a try! It looks delicious
Thanks for the inspiration Katie . . . we have just had nachos for tea after a swim at our local pool . . . perfect!
Ah this look sooo good!! x
Oh YUMMMM…. guess what’s for dinner tonight ? don’t forget the olives, just the thing for these hot nights, if it is too hot to put on the oven, just pop under the grill for a bit.
Congratulations on the new house, can’t wait to follow all your reno adventures, I have been slowly doing it for 10 years, on a limited budget.
yum! we officially turned veggo a few months ago and this looks delicious!