Nothing beats a tray of nachos, except for a tray of nachos with Hot Date on it!
Author:
Camryn Lapp
Ingredients
Nachos
12 ounces tortilla chips
1 pound ground beef (with taco seasoning)
16 oz refried beans
1 cup shredded cheese (mexican blend, pepper jack, or cheddar)
3 TBSP fresh cilantro
1 jalapeno, sliced (optional)
Hot Date Syrup
Taco Seasoning
1 tsp salt
1 tsp chili powder
½ tsp cumin
½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
¼ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp onion powder
¼ tsp oregano
Queso
1 TBSP butter
1 TBSP flour
¾ cup milk
1 oz cream cheese, softened
5 oz cheddar cheese (freshly grated)
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Toppings
Shredded lettuce
Salsa
Pico de gallo
Sour cream
Guacamole
Red onion
Directions
Preheat oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Cook your ground beef or meat of choice and add pre-packaged or homemade taco seasoning.
Chop up all your veggies and shred cheese, if needed.
Spread the tortilla chips in an even layer over your baking sheet. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheese. Next add the taco meat, and then spread the refried beans in an even layer over that. Top with the remaining cheese and thinly sliced jalapeno if desired.
Bake on the center rack for 5-10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the ingredients are heated through.
While the nachos bake, gather your queso ingredients. Shred the cheese and premeasure your ingredients. You need to be ready to add everything quickly!
Warm your milk in the microwave for 30-45 seconds or in a pot on the stove until tempered. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk until the mixture becomes bubbly and foamy. Cook for 1 minute.
Add the warm milk and whisk until combined. Continue to whisk occasionally until the milk is simmering. Continue to stir until thickened, and then remove from the heat.
Add cream cheese and whisk until melted into the mixture. Then slowly add ⅓ of the freshly grated cheese, repeating until it’s all been fully melted and combined. If you work quickly, the cheese should melt without any additional heat so the consistency remains smooth.
Season with cayenne pepper and salt to taste.
By this point the nachos are done or have already been removed from the oven. Pour the hot queso over the nachos, and then add a generous amount of hot date syrup. Enjoy with additional toppings if desired!
