Toastachos
Mix and match toastatoes and nachos for an irresistible dish.
Ingredients
- Corn or vegetable oil, for frying
- 4 6-inch corn tortillas
- Salt and pepper
- 3/4 cup ground beef chuck
- 1 small onion, finely chopped, divided
- 2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and finely chopped, divided
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon chili powder (about a scant palmful)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin (about 1/3 palmful)
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander (about 1/3 palmful)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/4 cup beef stock
- 2 plum tomatoes, seeded and finely chopped
- A small handful of cilantro, finely chopped
- 1 1/2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon flour
- About 2/3-3/4 cup milk
- 1 1/2 cups shredded yellow cheddar
- 1/4 cup pickled jalapeño slices, drained
- Sour cream, for garnish
Preparation
Heat a thin layer of oil in a small skillet and fry the tortillas one at a time over medium-high heat until golden and crisp. Season with salt.
In a medium size nonstick skillet, heat a drizzle of oil over medium-high heat. Add the beef and brown for about 5 minutes. Add half each of the onion and jalapeño peppers along with the garlic, chili powder, cumin and coriander; season with salt and pepper. Cook until the onion is softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste for 1 minute. Add the beef stock and lower the heat to a simmer.
In a small bowl, combine the tomatoes with the remaining onion and jalapeño and the cilantro. Season the salsa with salt.
Heat the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour for 1 minute. Whisk in the milk and cook to thicken, about 2 minutes. Stir in the cheese to melt.
Place a tortilla on each dinner plate. Cover with the meat mixture and cheese sauce, then top with the tomato salsa, pickled jalapeños and sour cream.
