Simple Nachos Snack

Simple Nachos Snack

Every now and then I want something meaty and cheesy and crunchy for a snack. Kind of like Nachos but without all the mess and the work in making them.

So one night I grabbed a bag of tortilla chips and thought to myself, "You know what might be good on these chips?

My answer was ground beef. But then I asked myself, "But what will keep the ground beef from falling off the chip when I pick it up?" The answer of course was CHEESE. 

 

So I got out some shredded Cheddar for flavor and some Mozzarella for that cheesy pull and sprinkled it all over the place. Then I needed to melt the cheese so I popped it in the microwave for 2 minutes and all that glorious cheese melted over that delicious ground beef on top of those paper thin warm crispy tortilla chips. OMG. Delicious! 

Oh you can add your other toppings.... avocado, salsa, guacamole, onions, red and green bell peppers, tomatoes, Jalapenos, whatever. But for a quick snack, I pass all that stuff and like them just like this. This is my go to.

Simple Nacho Snack

1 lb. lean ground beef

½ yellow onion, diced

Salt and pepper to taste

Tortilla Chips, about 6-7 cups

2 cups of Cheddar cheese, shredded

2 cups of Mozzarella, shredded

Heat a large skillet over medium-heat. Add Ground Beef and onion and cook for about 10 minutes, breaking the beef into crumbles. Add salt and pepper to taste.  Note: if you want spicy, add 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning. Remove drippings and add drained beef to a paper line plate or bowl. 

Add the tortilla chips to a large plate or platter. Top with the Ground Beef Mixture, then the shredded cheeses. Place the plate in the microwave for 2-3 minutes or until cheese has melted.

Remove from the oven and serve as is or with the toppings of your choice!

Homemade Mozzarella Sticks

 Homemade Mozzarella Sticks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh Yum!  Homemade Mozzarella Sticks, freshly made in your kitchen. They are so easy to make, and the perfect ooey gooey snack! My secret to making sure the cheese doesn’t leak out is to freeze the cheese sticks before frying, which ensures that the cheese doesn’t leak out before the shell gets golden and crispy.

Homemade Mozzarella Sticks

1 Pack of Sargento mozzarella string cheese (20 pack or less)

3 large eggs

1 cup all purpose flour 

2 cups Panko bread crumbs

salt

vegetable or peanut oil for frying ( Do not use olive oil).

 

 

First, unwrap each cheese stick and dispose of paper. 

 

 Prepare a plate or bowl of flour and panko breadcrumbs. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First coat the sticks in a light layer of flour. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Place the eggs in a bowl with 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1 tablespoon  of water, and whisk to combine. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Place the bread crumbs and the Panko in a second bowl next to the eggs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dip each cheese stick first in the egg and let the excess egg drip off.  Then coat in the bread crumbs, shake off the excess, and place on a tray.  Repeat with the remaining cheese sticks.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once each cheese stick has been breaded, take each one through the egg and bread crumbs twice again for a third coating.   

NOTE:  I prefer to bread the cheese sticks three times for a crispy, but two coats is sufficient to prevent the cheese from leaking during cooking.

Once all the sticks are breaded, place the tray into the freezer for at least two hours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heat the oil to 365 degrees in a heavy 3 quart saucepan or deep fryer.  You can also do a shallow fry and use a cast iron skillet

NOTE:  The amount of oil you need will depend on the size of the pan you use. I like to fry small batches of cheese sticks in a 3-quart pan. 24 ounces of oil is enough to fully submerge the sticks in this size pan. If you use a larger pot or pan, you will need more oil.

Fry the mozzarella sticks in batches for about 2 minutes, until golden brown. I don't fry more than 6 or so at a time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let the cheese sticks drain briefly on a paper towel and give a few shakes of salt.  Then serve promptly with marinara or your favorite dunking sauce. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

Photography is the property of and copyrighted to Welcome Home.

Chocolate Covered Ritz With Sea Salt

Chocolate Covered Ritz With Sea Salt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is an easy, no-bake, sweet and salty treat using Ritz crackers. A sprinkle of sea salt flakes puts these over the top! Three ingredients and oh so good! 

 

Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Ritz Crackers

 

24 Ritz crackers 

1/2 cup smooth peanut butter 

12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips 

Sea Salt flakes, optional

 

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper.  Set aside.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spread peanut butter onto the tops of 12 crackers. (I like to have the salted side facing in, but you can spread peanut butter on whatever side you prefer.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Place the rest of the crackers on top of the peanut butter and sandwich them together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Melt chocolate in the microwave or over a double boiler. Once chocolate is melted, use a fork to dip the peanut butter cracker sandwich into the chocolate to coat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shake off any excess and place onto a wax paper lined cookie sheet. Let chocolate harden at room temperature.

 

 

 

 

 

Photography is the property of and copyrighted to Welcome Home.