Ultimate Nachos

Ultimate Nachos recipe is one of the easiest and delicious recipes to make for your guest. It's great for holidays, parties and also perfect for Super Bowl parties.

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped, optional
1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 can (16 ounces) re-fried beans
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Tortilla chips, 1 large bag
2 plum tomatoes, diced
4 green onions, thinly sliced
diced jalapeno peppers
8 oz. shredded Cheddar cheese

8 oz. shredded Monterrey Jack cheese

Toppings

chopped 
cilantro
sour cream
salsa
guacamole

jalapeno pepper rings

black olive rings

shredded cheese 

Directions

Brown the ground beef and onions over medium heat until beef is no longer pink and onions are softened. 

Add green bell pepper, chili powder, cumin, re-fried beans, and tomato sauce. 

Simmer over low heat for about 15 to 20 minutes. 

Taste and add salt and pepper, as needed.

Heat oven to 375°. F.

Spread some of the beef and bean mixture on each chip and arrange the chips in a single layer on the large baking dish or ovenproof plate, or use smaller ovenproof plates or dishes. 

Sprinkle the layer with a little of the diced tomato, sliced green onions, and jalapeno peppers. 

Sprinkle each chip with some of the cheese and make another layer of chips. 

Repeat with the tomato, green onions, peppers, and top with more cheese. 

Bake for 8 to 12 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Add toppings.

Serve hot. 

BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad

"BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad"  is one of the Cheesecake Factory restaurant recipes you're going to want to hold on to! 

Ingredients

BBQ Ranch Dressing

3/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup buttermilk
4 tablespoons BBQ of choice
1 tablespoon Hidden Valley Ranch powder
1 small garlic clove, grated
cracked black pepper, to taste

Crispy Onion Straws
1 large red onion (about the size of a grapefruit)
1 1/2-2 cups buttermilk
1 2/3 cup flour
1 tablespoon salt
dash of cayenne
fresh cracked pepper Canola Oil (enough to fill bottom of pan about 1/2-3/4 inch)

Salad

4 chicken breasts
1 cup BBQ sauce of choice, divided
salt and pepper, to taste
3-4 heads of Romaine lettuce, chopped
2 tomatoes, diced
2 ears corn, shucked rinsed and kernels cut from the cob
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 avocado, diced
Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)

Directions

For the Dressing
Mix all ingredients together and set aside until ready to serve.

For the Crispy Onion Straws
Cut both ends off of the red onion and peel off the papery skin. 

Slice into thin rounds (as thin as you can get them). 

Separate all the little rings and lay them into a shallow baking dish and cover with buttermilk (1 1/2 -2 cups). 

Allow to sit for 30-45 minutes. 

Mix together flour, salt, cayenne, and black pepper in a large bowl.

Heat oil in a deep skillet to 350°-375° (I love my cast iron). 

Using tongs, remove a small amount of the onions from the dish and allow excess buttermilk to drip off. 

Toss the onions in the flour mixture, shake off excess and then place into the hot oil. 

Shallow fry until crispy and golden (be sure to flip partway through); about 2-3 minutes per side.

Remove from oil and place onto a place that has paper towels on it to allow it to drain. 

Repeat until all onions have been cooked. Set aside until ready to use.

For the Salad
Season chicken with salt and pepper on both sides. 

Spray grill with non-stick spray and preheat to medium high heat. 

Cook the chicken for about 4-6 minutes per side (until cooked completely through). 

During last few minutes of cooking, baste the chicken breasts with 3/4 cups of the BBQ sauce (make sure to get both sides). 

Remove from grill and set aside to rest for 3 minutes. 

Cut into bite sized cubes.

Disperse lettuce evenly among four large salad plates or bowls. 

Next, add equal amounts of the tomato, corn, black beans, and avocado. 

Top each salad with a cubed up chicken breast followed by a handful of the onion straws. 

Top with a drizzle of the BBQ Ranch Dressing and a drizzle of the remaining BBQ sauce. 

If desired add a sprinkle of cilantro on top. Serve.