$2 Loaded Nachos | But Cheaper

Ingredients

• 227 g crimini mushrooms
• 227 g ground beef — 70-80% lean recommended
• 1½ L vegetable oil — for frying
• 1½ tbsp unsalted butter
• 15 g all-purpose flour
• 240 ml whole milk
• 3 g paprika — optional
• 2 g ground cumin — optional
• 3 g garlic powder — optional
• 36 g grated American cheese
• 72 g grated cheddar cheese
• 1 ea avocado — for guacamole
• 113 g cherry tomatoes
• 1 ea red onion
• 1 ea ear of corn
• 2 ea serrano chilies
• 1 ea lime — for guacamole
• 1 ea sour cream — for topping

Steps

1. 1

   Chop 227g of crimini mushrooms extremely fine, resembling minced meat.

   ▶ 1:13
2. 2

   In a 12-inch pan, add a splash of vegetable oil and heat over medium-high.

   ▶ 1:20
3. 3

   Once hot, add the chopped mushrooms and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring often, until moisture evaporates and they start to color. Season with salt and scoot to the side.

   ▶ 1:24
4. 4

   Add a bit more oil if needed, then add 227g of ground beef. Press it out for a good sear and season with salt.

   ▶ 1:33
5. 5

   Sear for 2 minutes, flip, season again, and sear for another 2 minutes. Chop up the beef with a spatula or potato masher until finely crumbled.

   ▶ 1:34
6. 6

   Once cooked, add the juice from one can of chipotle peppers in adobo, reserving the solids for another use. Stir in a pinch of ground cumin and 3 cloves of roughly chopped garlic. Cook until crisp to your liking.

   ▶ 1:55
7. 7

   Cut corn tortillas into sixths (halves and then thirds).

   ▶ 2:25
8. 8

   In a pot, heat 1.5L of vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). Fry the tortilla chips in batches for 2-3 minutes until bubbling subsides and they start to color. Remove and season with salt while hot. Repeat with all tortillas.

   ▶ 2:32
9. 9

   For the nacho cheese sauce, melt 1.5 tbsp (21g) of unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add 15g of all-purpose flour and whisk for 30-40 seconds.

   ▶ 2:36
10. 10

    Whisk in 240ml of whole milk and cook until thickened. Optionally add 3g of paprika, 2g of ground cumin, and 3g of garlic powder. Stir in 36g of grated American cheese and 72g of grated cheddar cheese until smooth. Adjust thickness with more milk if necessary, and season with salt and pepper to taste.

    ▶ 3:10
11. 11

    For guacamole, mash 1 avocado with salt and lime juice to taste. Thinly slice half a red onion and wash to reduce bite. Blister 113g of cherry tomatoes in a hot pan for 2 minutes until softened. Char one ear of corn over an open flame and remove kernels.

    ▶ 3:11
12. 12

    To assemble, layer half the chips on a tray, followed by the beef, nacho cheese, cherry tomatoes, corn, red onion, and sliced serrano chilies. Add the second half of the chips and repeat the layering with nacho cheese, beef, tomatoes, corn, red onion, sour cream, guacamole, and cilantro if desired.

    ▶ 3:22