Cheese And Tortilla Chips: The Perfect Pairing

Choosing the right cheese for tortilla chips can be a tricky business. The cheese needs to be able to withstand the weight of the toppings without compromising on flavour.

For a simple snack, a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese is a popular choice. For a more complex flavour, you could try a blend of Monterey Jack, Sharp Cheddar, and Colby.

If you're making your own cheese sauce, it's best to grate the cheese yourself. Pre-shredded cheese often contains additives to prevent clumping which can make your sauce grainy.

And if you're feeling extra adventurous, you could try making your own tortilla chips. Simply cut tortillas into triangles, spray with oil, and bake in the oven until crisp.

Cheddar cheese

Choosing the Right Cheddar Cheese:

• It is recommended to use medium or sharp cheddar cheese for a smoother sauce.
• Avoid pre-shredded cheddar cheese as it often contains anti-caking agents that can affect the melt and make the sauce gritty. Instead, buy a block of cheese and shred it yourself.
• Some recommended brands of cheddar cheese include Cracker Barrel, Tillamook, and Cabot.

Preparing the Cheese Sauce:

• To make a basic cheddar cheese sauce for tortilla chips, you will need butter, flour, milk, and shredded cheddar cheese.
• Start by creating a roux: melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then whisk in an equal amount of flour until combined.
• Next, add milk and continue whisking. You can also add seasonings like salt, chili powder, or cayenne pepper to taste.
• Once the mixture is thickened and bubbly, remove it from the heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted.
• It is important not to overheat the cheese sauce, as this can cause it to become thick and grainy.

Serving Suggestions:

• For a simple snack, melt cheddar cheese over tortilla chips in the oven and serve with your favourite toppings and dips, such as sour cream, guacamole, salsa, or hot sauce.
• You can also create a more substantial dish by adding toppings such as ground beef, tomatoes, jalapeños, scallions, or beans.
• For a heartier meal, try using the cheddar cheese sauce with tortilla chips as a base and adding your favourite nacho toppings, such as ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and green onions.

Monterey Jack cheese

To make a simple, delicious, and creamy queso dip with Monterey Jack cheese, you will need the following ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• 1 small red onion, finely chopped (or ½ a large onion)
• 1 jalapeño, seeded and diced (plus slices for garnish)
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon of cornstarch
• 1 ½ cups of whole milk or 2% milk
• 16 ounces of shredded Monterey Jack cheese (about 2 cups)
• Cilantro for garnish
• ½ cup of panko bread crumbs
• Add extra virgin olive oil and panko breadcrumbs to a cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Stir until the breadcrumbs are crisp (about 5 minutes). Add salt to taste and set aside to cool.
• In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat and add the extra virgin olive oil. Once hot, add the diced onion, jalapeño, garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and fragrant (about 8-10 minutes).
• Add 1 ½ cups of milk and bring to a low boil over medium-high heat.
• Create a slurry by mixing cornstarch and water, then add it to the milk. Simmer until thickened (about 3 minutes).
• Remove the skillet from the heat and add the cheese. Stir until the cheese is fully melted and incorporated with the milk.
• Pour the queso into a serving dish (or serve straight from the skillet) and top with breadcrumbs and cilantro.
• Serve with tortilla chips, bread slices, or veggies. You can also pour it on top of nachos, burritos, or tacos.

This dip is perfect for any occasion and can be customised to your taste preferences. Enjoy!

Pre-shredded cheese

When using pre-shredded cheese, it is important to monitor the melting process closely. Microwaving for a few extra seconds can cause the cheese to turn from melted and gooey to broken and greasy. Therefore, it is advisable to keep a close eye on the tortilla chips through the microwave door and remove them as soon as the cheese has melted. This attention to detail will ensure that your tortilla chips have the desired texture and taste.

In addition to the type of cheese, the thickness of tortilla chips is an important consideration. Thicker tortilla chips are recommended when using pre-shredded cheese to ensure they can withstand the weight of the toppings without breaking easily. Flavoured tortilla chips, such as Doritos, are generally not recommended as they can overpower the flavour of the cheese and other toppings.

Nachos with meat

Ingredients:

• Tortilla Chips
• Cheese (cheddar, pepper jack, or monterey jack)
• Ground beef
• Toppings (optional): jalapeños, sour cream, salsa, sliced black olives, green onions, lettuce, avocado, etc.

Instructions:

• Preheat your oven to 200°C. Line a large baking sheet with foil and lightly grease the foil.
• Prepare your toppings by slicing, dicing, or chopping as needed.
• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook and stir ground beef until browned and crumbly.
• Stir in your desired toppings, such as jalapeños, onions, and bell peppers, and cook until the liquid has reduced.
• In a separate skillet, make a cheese sauce by melting butter and whisking in flour to create a roux. Add milk, and season with salt and cayenne pepper to taste.
• Once the milk mixture is thick and bubbly, turn off the heat and add shredded cheese. Stir until the cheese has melted and the mixture is smooth.
• Spread half of your tortilla chips in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
• Spoon the beef mixture and desired toppings onto the chips.
• Top with the remaining tortilla chips and repeat layering with the beef mixture and toppings.
• Sprinkle the cheese sauce over the nachos.
• Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.
• Remove from the oven and add any final toppings, such as avocado or sour cream, as desired.
• Serve and enjoy!

Oven-baked nachos

Ingredients:

• Tortilla Chips
• Cheese (Monterey Jack, American, Mozzarella, Cheddar, or a combination)
• Toppings of your choice (e.g. ground beef, shredded beef, pork, chicken, black beans, tomatoes, jalapenos, chilies, corn, black olives, avocados, etc.)
• Sides of your choice (e.g. guacamole, sour cream, salsa, refried beans, etc.)

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 350-400°F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or foil. Spread a standard-sized bag of tortilla chips over the cookie sheet.

Sprinkle half of your grated cheese over the chips, followed by your desired toppings, and finish with another layer of cheese.

Bake for approximately 3-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted to your liking.

Serve warm with sides such as guacamole, sour cream, or salsa.

Tips:

• Grate your own cheese for better melting and to avoid anti-clumping agents.
• Avoid using thinner tortilla chips as they can get soggy.
• For easy clean-up, use a silicone mat on your baking sheet.
• For a large crowd, you can make multiple trays of nachos with different toppings.
• Leftovers are not recommended as nachos are best served immediately.

Frequently asked questions