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This fresh, vibrant, easy appetizer has lots of south-of-the-border flavor and will be the first thing to disappear at your next gathering!
If you live in the U.S. and you've gone to the grocery store anytime in the last week, you know that there's a big party brewing! I've been shopping several times recently, and I've been amazed at how everything is focused on the Super Bowl. Practically every other end cap is bulging with bags of chips, pretzels, crackers and various other snacking items. Munching your way through the big game has become as synonymous as apples and pie.
And nachos. I couldn't help craving nachos when I saw all the wonderful south-of-the-border ingredients on display. A picture from Bon Appétit caught my eye and, while I didn't follow their recipe, it was definitely an inspiration.
The Bon Appétit version calls for pureeing black beans, but I decided on a simple sauté with olive oil, onions, garlic and a pinch of both cumin and chili powder. They used two different salsas, but I made an easy, fresh salsa verde in the blender and topped my nachos off with diced tomato and avocado. Lots of fresh cilantro leaves make a pretty garnish. If you don't care for cilantro, basil would also work for the sauce as well as the garnish, although the flavor will be different.
I used a Mexican blend shredded cheese, but just about any good melting cheese will work well for these nachos. This is not the time to skimp on cheese though. That's what Scott told me after my first batch. "These ARE nachos" he said, "and it IS Super Bowl, after all!" I have to admit, he was right. The second go round, I was much more generous with the cheese and it made a huge, delicious difference.
But extra cheese is okay - after all, have you heard the Super Bowl rule? It goes like this: Calories don't count up during the big game, only points for your favorite team. I like that, how about you?
Seriously, these nachos won't win a low calorie appetizer race, but they'll definitely rank super high in the fresh and crazy delicious categories. Be sure to put the ingredients on your shopping list, you'll run into most of them as soon as you step foot in your local grocery store!
P.S. If you're looking for more fun Super Bowl Recipes, check out our Easy, Delicious Appetizers for Game Day
For your Pinning pleasure!
Readers often ask what kind of cookware, small appliances, cutlery, etc. I use in the kitchen. Here’s what I used to make this recipe.
These Black Bean Nachos with Salsa Verde are fresh and vibrant. This easy south-of-the-border appetizer will be the first thing to disappear at your next big gathering!
- For the black beans:
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ½ large red onion finely diced
- 2 medium cloves garlic finely minced
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup black beans rinsed and well drained
- For the Salsa Verde:
- 8 ounces tomatillos* husks removed and washed well
- 1 medium clove garlic
- ½-2 jalapenos**
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- ½ cup cilantro
- ½ teaspoon honey
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ medium white onion roughly chopped
- For the nachos:
- 1 11- ounce package tortilla chips
- 12 ounces shredded Mexican cheese blend or cheese of your choice
- 2 medium plum or Roma tomatoes seeds removed and diced in small pieces
- 1 medium avocado cored, peeled and diced small
- fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
- fresh lime wedges
-
Preheat oven to 350°F.
-
Heat olive oil over medium heat in a medium size sauté pan. Add the diced red onion and sauce for 3-4 minutes or until beginning to soften. Add the garlic, cumin, chili powder and salt. Cook for another minute, stirring frequently. Add the black beans and stir well. Remove from heat and set aside.
-
To make the Salsa Verde, combine tomatillos, garlic, jalapeño, lime juice, cilantro, honey and salt in a blender container. Pulse on and off until large pieces are broken down, but mixture is still a bit chunky. Add onion and pulse a few more times.
-
Arrange half of the tortilla chips on a rimmed baking sheet or large oven-safe platter. Top with half of the shredded cheese. Add a second layer of chips and cover chips with the remaining cheese, leaving a small border around the edge free of cheese.
-
Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the cheese is melted and gooey. Top with the small dollops of salsa verde, reserved black beans, diced tomato, diced avocado and cilantro leaves. Serve with lime wedges and extra salsa verde.
* Tomatillos look like green tomatoes. They have bright, citrusy flavor and are a key ingredient in Mexican and Central-American cuisines. You'll find them near the tomatoes in the produce section of larger grocery stores and also Hispanic markets. They have a papery husk covering the fruit which should be removed before eating. I find it's easy to remove the husk under warm running water. The water will also remove a sticky coating on the tomatillos which is actually, a natural insect repellent.
Serve 6-8
** Jalapeños vary tremendously in heat levels. For the Salsa Verde, I recommend starting with a half, then tasting before adding the onion. You can always add more but it's hard to take heat away.
Recipe inspired by Bon Appétit
Beverley Press says
food is in the eye of the beholder and looks every bit as delicious , you two make such a good team! have a great week xoxo
Debra Eliotseats says
As I gazed on that melted cheese, I am getting away from my computer and going in to set out a bit of SB fare early! 🙂
Robyn Gleason says
These are awesome, Chris! Lip smacking deliciousness! I love this flavour combo - perfect for the game!
Happy Friday 🙂
Adina says
I've never had anything like this, but I am such a novice when it comes to Mexican food. I would love to try even if we don't have Super Bowl in Europe.
Maureen says
Is there anyone who doesn't love nachos? I've never met them! These are gorgeous to look at and I'm sure delicious to eat.
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
Absolutely perfect game day snack! Love the salsa verde and the added goodness of the black beans. Yum!
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
I love how you presented the nachos...absolutely beautiful and appetizing!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Angie! We found the cast iron skillet at an antiques store on a recent trip. It was so interesting, I couldn't leave without it!
Susan says
Nachos are a perennial favorite and yours are so beautifully served, Chris! I love your sauteed bean version and gorgeous salsa verde. Wish our Packers were in the big game but I'm sure we'll be watching anyway (for me just to see the commercials) 🙂
Laura | Tutti Dolci says
These nachos look mouthwatering, Chris! What a perfect snack for the big game!
Liz says
I could make a meal out of these gorgeous nachos! Scott is right, the cheesier, the better. But I do appreciate all the other delicious toppings, too.
Sandra Garth says
We always love the snacks more than the game and this would have us completely satisfied!
cheri says
Bring on the cheese!! You sure know how to enjoy the game, these nachos look delicious, love your game-day calorie counting rule.
Tricia @ Saving Room for Dessert says
I really love how you sautéed the beans in all those spices - no doubt they taste great! We are such a food centric country with each holiday and big event focused on what we're going to eat! Gotta love the events that don't include wrapping presents but do have plenty of tasty treats. My husband would flip for these nachos. Pinning and sharing 🙂
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks so much Tricia! Have a great Super Bowl weekend!
Mary says
the bean mixture is set aside . When is the bean mixture added?
Ann says
I love, love, love your website. I have NEVER been unhappy with any recipe and/or newsletter you all have published. I always look forward to receiving your next massive.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks so much Ann, I appreciate your kind words and I love that God has given me this gift to share with others!
Ginny Hartzler says
This is so beautiful! Scott is amazing! Hey, when is he going to start posting on his new blog? This is so seriously mouth watering that I think some game watchers will be paying more attention to eating than to the game!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks for your sweet comments Ginny! I think he's amazing too!
sue | theviewfromgreatisland says
I'm so impressed that you made your own salsa verde - yum!! I've got a loaded nachos recipe coming up on my blog, wish we could have a nacho fest together!
Chris Scheuer says
Wouldn't that be fun Sue? We'd love it too! Happy game watching/eating!
Julie says
Oh Chris, these would surely hit the spot any day! Prettiest nachos ever!
Chris Scheuer says
Aww... thanks Julie!