CRISPY CHIPOTLE LIME CHIPS, MELTED COTIJA, BEEF AND PORK STEW, FRESH PICO, LIME CREMA.
SERVES 4-6 pers.
INGREDIENTS
CHIPOTLE LIME TORTILLA CHIPS
- Corn tortillas, cut into triangles
- Neutral frying oil
- Fine salt
- Chipotle powder
- Lime zest
- Lime juice (very light mist)
CHEESE
- Cotija cheese, finely crumbled
BEEF & PORK STEW
- Chuck roast, coarsely ground
- Pork shoulder, coarsely ground (½ the weight of the beef)
- Beef tallow (or neutral oil)
- 1 large onion, finely diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1½ tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp Mexican oregano
- 1 tsp chipotle powder
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- Beef stock
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
PICO DE GALLO
- Roma tomatoes, finely diced
- White onion, finely diced
- Jalapeño, finely diced
- Fresh lime juice
- Salt
LIME CREMA
- Sour cream
- Lime juice
- Lime zest
- Salt and black pepper
GARNISHES
- Radishes, thinly sliced and soaked in ice water
- Fresh cilantro (leaves and tender stems)
- Salsa verde (Heartbeat)
METHOD
CHIPOTLE LIME CHIPS
- Heat frying oil to 350°F / 175°C.
- Fry tortilla triangles in batches until deeply golden and crisp. Drain thoroughly.
- While still hot, toss gently with salt, chipotle powder, and lime zest.
- Mist very lightly with lime juice-just enough for aroma while keeping maximum crunch.
- Spread chips evenly on a large baking tray.
CHEESE BASE
- Sprinkle Cotija generously over the chips.
- Bake at 400°F / 205°C until the cheese is hot and just beginning to melt.
- Remove from the oven and set aside.
BEEF & PORK STEW
- Heat beef tallow in a Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add onion and garlic with a pinch of salt and sweat until soft and translucent.
- Add cumin, Mexican oregano, chipotle powder, and tomato paste.
- Cook until fragrant and slightly caramelized.
- Add ground beef and pork. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Brown thoroughly, breaking up the meat, until well colored.
- Deglaze with beef stock to just cover the meat.
- Add cinnamon stick and bay leaves.
- Simmer uncovered until the liquid is almost completely reduced and the mixture is rich, thick, and glossy.
- Remove cinnamon and bay leaves. Adjust seasoning.
PICO DE GALLO
- Combine tomatoes, onion, jalapeño, lime juice, and salt.
- Mix gently, then strain well to remove excess liquid before using.
LIME CREMA
- Mix sour cream with lime juice, lime zest, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Transfer to a squeeze bottle.
ASSEMBLY
- Spoon the hot beef and pork stew generously over the cheesy chips.
- Top with pico de gallo and crisp radish slices.
- Drizzle lime crema and salsa verde over the nachos.
- Finish with fresh cilantro.
- Serve immediately.
By Laurent Dagenais