Nachopasta Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Pulse the carrot, onion and garlic in a food processor until finely chopped.
• Heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons water in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat until the water starts to boil. Add the sausage link and cover the pan. Cook until browned in spots, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the lid and continue to cook until all the water has evaporated and only the oil is left, about 5 minutes. Remove the sausage from the pan and slice into half-moons and set aside.
• Add the carrot mixture to the pan and cook, stirring, until the onions begin to soften and the garlic is fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the ground beef, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper cook, breaking up the beef into very small pieces with a wooden spoon, until cooked through, 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in the marinara, tomato paste, sausage, and 1/4 cup water and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce begins to thicken, about 15 minutes. Keep warm.
• Attach a deep-fat fry thermometer to the side of a large heavy bottom pot. Fill with about 1-inch of vegetable oil to 375 degrees F.
• Working in batches of 2 to 3, fry the wontons, until golden brown and crisp, 1 to 2 minutes. (Be sure to return the oil to 375 degrees F between batches.) Sprinkle with salt to taste.
• Lay 6 wontons on the back of a baking sheet, overlapping slightly. Spread half of the meat sauce over the chips. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup mozzarella, 2 tablespoons Parmesan, half of the alfredo sauce and 1/4 cup of the cherry peppers. Lay the remaining 6 wontons on top and repeat with the remaining ingredients in the same order. Bake until the cheese has melted, about 10 minutes. Slide the chips off the back of the baking sheet onto a serving platter.

Steps:

• Heat the oil to 350 degrees F in a tabletop deep-fryer or in a Dutch oven with a deep-fry thermometer attached. Place a wire rack over a sheet pan for draining. Fry the tortillas in small batches until crisped and golden, 4 to 6 minutes. Place on the rack to drain.
• Spoon the Black Bean Puree over the bottom of a large oval platter. Arrange the fried tortillas over the top. Spoon the Queso generously all over. Top with pico de gallo, pickled chiles, avocado and cilantro.
• Heat a 3-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add the oil, onions, jalapeno, coriander and cumin. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onion is soft, 4 to 6 minutes. Stir in the beans. Add the stock, crema and salt to taste. Bring to a simmer. Transfer the mixture to a blender and puree. Yield: about 4 cups.
• Melt the butter in a 3-quart saucepan set over medium heat. Stir in the flour until combined. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Switch to a whisk and slowly whisk in the milk and cream. Whisk in the salt. Switch back to a spoon and cook, stirring, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the Cheddar and Jack cheeses. Turn the heat off and allow the cheese to melt. Stir until smooth. Yield: 6 cups.