9-2: Mexican Fiesta sounds exciting, but it’s really just poorly layered nachos. I know that they were trying to make it seem like a casserole, but all the good stuff that goes in tacos/nachos is basically layered in a pan and covered with a layer of chips on top. I think you’re supposed to eat it like a dip? 🌮
I like the touch of the Corona with a lime in the background of their picture, like all of a sudden that makes it a party. I can’t think of too many decent Mexican places that would serve something like this, but if you want something festive yet inoffensive for a party or a lengthy Netflix session, I suppose this recipe could get the job done. 🌶
I’ve mentioned before that I make food for other people sometimes, and this was one of those times. I was already making some beef and cheese tacos in my borrowed deep fryer, so I thought I’d take some of the extra meat and cheese that I had for the tacos and knock out a recipe while I was at it.
Ingredients. I think by “nachos” they meant tortilla chips, so that’s what we’re going with. My pinto beans aren’t in tomato sauce, but I think it’ll be okay. For “Mexican spice mixture”, we’re going with my home blend chili powder, which is similar to what you’d put in a chili or taco meat. Not pictured here: tiny jar of pimento.
Chopped & sautéed onions.
Starting to brown the meat.
After the meat cooks down and starts to get juicy.
Slicing some black olives.
I like to let my meat cook in the fat, it gets extra crispy and flavorful. My food recipient is totally okay with that, so I let it ride.
Beans with liquid.
Added to the at-this-point-very-crispy meat.
Actually even had pimento for this one, which seems like a somewhat outdated ingredient these days.
Added some tomato sauce to make up for the lack of sauce in the beans.
After letting it all simmer together for a while–it’s basically chili.
Layered on the cheese and olives–I’m doing this in a foil pan since it’s being given away to someone else.
Final view before I covered it in foil–I wrote on top directions for cooking this, since I figured it would taste much better if they did the final broil/heat, a manageable task. I left the cheese in strips so that it would cover evenly. I think it tasted good–I actually never got a review on that one from them. If I were eating it, I’d probably enjoy it–I sampled a bit here and there along the way. 🇲🇽
Grade: A-
