Post date: Jun 21, 2020 8:15:36 PM
Adapted 6/17/2020 from Lee Drummond, "The Pioneer Woman," https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a11642/loaded-nachos/
Prepare "Goop":
Pre-heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high flame/heat. Add EVOO and diced onions. Sautee onions until they soften and become transluscent. Add ground turkey and cook meat, breaking up chunks, until pink color disappears. Add dry seasonings (medium-hot chili powder, ancho chili powder, paprika, cumin, red chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Stir to meld flavors. Add refried beans and drained beans. Add water and stir. Reduce to lowest hear possible and allow to simmer while preparing other ingredients.
Prepare Pico de Gallo:
Combine tomatoes, shallts, serrano chilies, chopped cilantro, lime/lemon juice, and salt. Taste and adjust for seasonings. Set aside. (Alternatively, if you are short on time or energy, just use store-bought salsa.)
Prepare Other Garnishes:
Using 1/4" holes on a box grater, shred cheese into a bowl or on to plate or on to a work surface.
Wash and stem cilantro and roll in paper towels to remove excess moisture. (If self-serve, place in serving bowl.)
Halve avocado(s), remove pit(s), cut into chunks.(If self-serve, place in serving bowl.)
If sour cream does not come in squeeze bottle format, place in a small squirt bottle for more controlled apportioning.
Open tortilla chips and sample a couple to "make sure they good enough for everyone else."
Build Nachos:
If using oven, preheat to 325°F. If using microwave, check that serving plattter(s) or plate(s) will fit. Depending on size of platter/plates, you will be creating 2-3 layers of chips, goop, and cheese:
Place a layer of tortilla chips on platter/plates.
Top with 1/2 of turkey-bean goop and 1/2 of grated cheese.
Add another layer of chips, turkey-bean goop, and cheese.
Add final layer of chips, goop, and cheese.
Zap in microwave in 45-second intervals until cheese is melted and bubbly
(Alternatively, place in oven for ~5 minutes, until cheese is melted to desired consistency.)
Garnish platter with squirts of sour cream, pico del gallo (or salsa), avocado, and cilantro leaves.
(Alternatively, arrange bowls of garnishes so guests can help themselves, as they like.)