Day 48: Friday Night Nachos

Yay, it’s Friday again and in my eyes that calls for a chilli and a glass (or two) of wine to celebrate getting through another week where I have neither damaged / poisoned / killed anyone – unintentionally or otherwise – but we’ve all got through the week unharmed.

 The kids won’t entertain anything even remotely spicy so I’m producing a pared-down, no chilli version of nachos, including my homemade guacamole, refried beans and tortilla chips with lots of lovely cheese. I prefer to bake my own tortilla chips from ready made wraps, which means I can control the salt content (slightly) and won’t be adding any extra.

Ingredients

• Corn tortillas wraps (pack of 8)
• 1 x 400g tin chopped tomatoes
• 1 x red onion, finely chopped
• 1 x garlic clove
• Cheese for grating

Cut the wraps into 8 to create tortilla chips, drizzle with olive oil on a baking tray and bake in a medium oven for approx 10 minutes. They will crisp up once they are out of the oven, so don’t be tempted to over cook them.

Meanwhile, fry the onion and garlic in olive oil in a saucepan then add the chopped tomatoes. Simmer whilst you wait for the tortilla chips.

When cooked, place the chips in an oven proof dish, spoon the sauce over and top with grated cheese. Return to the oven until the cheese melts.

Serve with refried beans and guacamole.

For the guacamole:

• 2 x ripe avocados
• 1 x ripe tomato, cut into tiny pieces
• Handful of coriander, finely chopped
• Squeeze of lime

Cut the avocado in half, remove the stone and scoop the flesh out into a bowl. Mash roughly, then stir through the coriander and tomato before squeezing in the lime juice.

For the refried beans:

• 1 x 400g tin kidney beans
• 1 x red onion, finely chopped
• 1 x garlic clove, crushed
• Paprika

Cook the onion in olive oil until soft, add the garlic and paprika and stir through before adding the kidney beans and a splash of water. Roughly mash with a potato masher and continue to cook until they are all heated through.

  
Verdict: I thought this was a really great, fun Friday night meal. It was easy and quick enough for me to throw together after I got in from work and it seemed to go down well – The Boy objected slightly to the tomatoes but Mathilde loved the refried beans, which made me happy as it means she’s getting some protein.
We loaded ours up with jalapeños and also served with Veg Chilli (packed full of chillis!)