Best Guy Talian Nachos Recipes

ITALIAN NACHOS

Steps:

• For the nachos: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Place the baguette slices on a baking sheet fitted with a rack. Brush the slices with the olive oil. Toast until crisp on the outside but still slightly tender on the inside, 6 to 8 minutes.
• On an ovensafe platter or a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper, alternate layers of baguette slices, shredded Italian cheese blend, chopped cured meats, beans and pearl mozzarella, ending with a layer of shredded cheese. Bake until the shredded cheese is melted,10 to 12 minutes.
• For the salsa: While the nachos are baking, in a medium bowl, combine the tomatoes, basil, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and salt and pepper to taste. Toss to coat.
• For the crema: In a small bowl, whisk together the fig jam (or honey) and balsamic vinegar. Add the sour cream and salt and pepper to taste and whisk until completely blended. Transfer to a ziptop bag and store in the fridge until ready to use.
• For the toppings: Top the nachos with the giardiniera, pepperoncini, black olives and salsa. Slice the corner of the ziptop bag with the crema and drizzle it over the nachos. Finish with more chopped basil. Serve immediately.

GUY-TALIAN NACHOS

Steps:

• Italian Salsa: Mix 8 diced seeded Peppadew peppers plus 2 tablespoons juice from the jar, 4 diced seeded plum tomatoes, 1/3 cup minced red onion, 1/4 cup chopped parsley and 1 tablespoon each chopped and whole capers in a bowl. Add 1 tablespoon each minced garlic and olive oil, 1 teaspoon pepper and a pinch of salt; toss. Set aside.
• Beef and Sausage: Heat 1/2 tablespoon olive oil in a saute pan over medium-high heat. Add 1/2 pound each ground beef and Italian turkey sausage (casings removed) and cook, breaking up the meat, until no longer pink; remove to a plate. Add another 1/2 tablespoon olive oil and 1/4 diced onion; cook until opaque, 4 to 5 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon minced garlic; cook, stirring, 2 more minutes. Return the meat to the pan and stir; set aside.
• Wonton Chips: Heat 2 inches canola oil to 350 degrees F in a large pot over medium heat. Cut 1 package wonton wrappers in half diagonally. Working in batches, fry the wrappers until puffed, 30 seconds, then flip and fry until just browned, 30 more seconds. Drain on paper towels and season with salt.
• Make the Italian salsa, beef and sausage and wonton chips (see above).
• Arrange half of the wonton chips in a large baking dish. Top with half of the meat and 1 cup shredded mozzarella; repeat with another layer of chips, meat and mozzarella. Broil about 9 inches from the heat source until the cheese melts, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and top with 2 ounces julienned salami, 1 tablespoon each julienned basil and chopped parsley and the Italian salsa.
• Puree 1/4 cup each sour cream and ricotta in a blender; transfer to a resealable plastic bag and snip a corner. Drizzle over the nachos and sprinkle with chopped scallions.

TRASH CAN NACHOS

Steps:

• Carne Asada: Combine 2 minced garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons lime juice and 1 teaspoon kosher salt; rub all over 8 ounces skirt steak and refrigerate 30 minutes. Grill over high heat, turning, until charred, 6 to 8 minutes. Let rest, then chop.
• Super Melty Cheese (SMC): Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat; add 1 tablespoon flour and whisk until smooth and toasted, 5 minutes. Whisk in 1 cup each whole milk and heavy cream; bring to a boil. Add 2 ounces each grated mild cheddar, monterey jack, Oaxaca and asadero cheese. Whisk until melted. Stir in a pinch each of cayenne and cumin, 1 tablespoon each minced pickled jalapenos and pickled jalapeno juice and 2 tablespoons pico de gallo. Remove from the heat and keep warm.
• Black Beans: Rinse 1 cup dried black beans, then soak in water overnight; drain. Transfer to a saucepan, cover with water by 2 inches and bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer. Add 1/2 cup minced sweet onion, 1 clove minced garlic, 1/2 tablespoon kosher salt and 1 sprig epazote (or 1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano). Simmer until the beans are tender, about 1 hour, adding more water as needed. Discard the epazote.
• Make the carne asada, super melty cheese (SMC) and black beans (see above).
• Spoon some of the SMC in a large tin can (an empty 110-ounce can works well, or you can use a pot or a metal bucket). Layer 1/4 pound tortilla chips one-quarter of the way up.
• Spoon more SMC over the chips, then sprinkle with a layer each of carne asada and black beans. Sprinkle with pico de gallo, shredded cheddar, sliced jalapeno, crumbled Cotija cheese, sliced red onion, julienned radish and chopped cilantro; drizzle with Mexican crema.
• Repeat to make 3 more layers of chips, SMC, meat, beans and toppings. Place a large round platter or tray on top of the nachos; invert onto the platter and remove the can. Garnish with more pico de gallo, cilantro, red onion and jalapeno.