Ingredients
-
-
4 vine-ripe tomatoes, seeded and chopped
-
1 -2 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped (adjust to your heat level)
-
1 small white onion, chopped
-
1/4 cup cilantro leaf, finely chopped
-
-
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
-
2 garlic cloves, chopped
-
1 small onion, chopped
-
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
-
1 lb ground sirloin
-
1 teaspoon salt
-
1 1/2 teaspoons dark chili powder
-
1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
-
2 teaspoons Frank's red hot sauce (or up to 1 T., adjust to your heat level.)
-
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained
-
-
2 tablespoons flour
-
2 1/2 cups monterey jack pepper cheese, shredded
-
sour cream
-
2 tablespoons butter (I use unsalted)
-
-
2 cups whole milk
-
2 (13 ounce) bags corn tortilla chips, I like to use 2 different colors, ie. 1 bag yellow and 1 bag blue corn chips
Instructions
- Arrange the corn chips on a large serving platter.
- Combine the salsa ingredients and let the flavors meld.
- Make the beef and beans topping:
- Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium high and add the olive oil, garlic, onion and jalapeno. Saute for about 2 minutes.
- Add meat and break into smaller bits. Season with salt, chili powder, cumin and the cayenne pepper sauce. Cook meat mixture until browned, about 5 minutes. (Drain any grease.).
- Stir in the beans and turn the heat down to low.
- Make the cheese sauce:
- In a saucepan, melt the butter over moderate heat.
- Then add the flour, stirring and cooking for about a minute.
- Whisk in milk.
- When the milk comes to a bubble (watch carefully and keep stirring to make it lump-free and so it doesn't scald), stir in cheese using a wooden spoon.
- Remove cheese sauce from the heat.
- Pour cheese sauce evenly over the tortilla chips.
- Top evenly with the beef and beans mixture.
- Top it all off with the pico de gallo salsa (and optional toppings, if using).
- Serve it while it's hot!