Game Day Nachos

This weekend there will be games galore for all you football and soccer fans:

On Saturday, January 9th -

• the Chiefs will play the Texans
• the Steelers will play the Bengals

On Sunday, January 10th - 

• the Seahawks will play the Vikings
• the Packers will play the Redskins

On Monday, January 11th - 

• Alabama will play Clemson for the National Collegiate Championship

And if American football does not provide enough excitement, this weekend will be the third round of the FA Soccer Cup with games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  Some of these games will be televised in the United States - check your local listings:

• Exeter City vs Liverpool
• Wycombe vs Aston Villa
• Arsenal vs Sunderland
• Man United vs Sheffield
• Oxford vs Swansea
• Chelsea vs Scunthorpe
• Tottenham vs Leicester

A real treat to enjoy during any of these contests will be these Game Day Nachos.  A lot of the preparation can be done ahead of time making it easy to assemble the nachos quickly and easily at half time.  Here is the recipe:

Ingredients:  To make 8 servings -

• 1 pound of relatively lean ground beef (no more than 10% fat)
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 large bag of restaurant style tortilla chips (13-14 ounces)
• 16 ounces of shredded cheddar jack cheese
• 1 16-ounce jar medium salsa
• one 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and well drained
• 1/2 cup finely diced onion
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• guacamole - per recipe below

Guacamole:

• 1 ripe avocado
• 1 small clove garlic, finely minced
• 2 tablespoon lime juice
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon coriander
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon oregano

Preparation:

1. In a cast iron skillet over medium high heat brown the ground beef on one side.  Add the spices for the ground beef and continue to cook the meat until it becomes a rich brown throughout.  Chop up the meat as it cooks with a metal spatula until the meat is cooked through and is crumbled up nicely.  Set aside.
2. To make the guacamole, in a separate bowl combine all ingredients for the guacamole and mash with a potato masher.  Cover the bowl and refrigerate until you are ready to assemble the nachos.  
3. When time to assemble - make sure the beef mixture is heated up.  Microwave a minute or two, if necessary.
4. In two (12 to 14-inch) skillets (with lids) spray with olive oil cooking spray.  Layer both bottoms of the skillet with one-quarter of the bag of chips.  Top with one-quarter of the beef mixture, cheddar jack, salsa, black beans.  Repeat with second layer of the same in each skillet.  Cover and cook over medium heat until cheese is melted.  
5. Top with diced onions, dollops of sour cream and guacamole.  
6. Serve right in the frying pan.

To add a little flair to your game day, consider using football- or soccer-themed party items.  These can be secured from local party stores or online from providers such as Oriental Trading Company and Birthday Express:

Football plates:  http://www.orientaltrading.com/touchdown-time-oval-football-plates-a2-13600666.fltr?Ntt=superbowl%20plates

Soccer plates: http://www.birthdayexpress.com/p/99175/soccer-dinner-plates-8

Bon appétit!