I love cooking

Mostly, grande means big, not necessarily fancy. That is, if you’re speaking Spanish. (Hope I got it right, Maria José?). So, in trying to contain the Monday blues, I invent meals that (I think) are quirky or unique, and definitely big. This is because a devoted carnivore like me feels deprived by having no meat on the menu but somehow big (meaning lots) does tend to soften the blow considerably. And so does spicy.

So, without much ado on this day, another meatless Monday, I shall contain the bitchin’ and moanin’ and set out to make one of my most-loved meatless meals: Nachos Grande. Yes, you got it Miranda. It means big nachos. Even the grand children love it and have enjoyed it since they were little. They even ask for it by name. And we are just a small corner of the world who loves and regularly eat nachos …

So what’s the thing with nachos? It is after all just dry corn crisps, cooked dried chilli beans and depending on the cook’s budget, she may also add cheddar cheese, spicy mince, sour cream, avocado, fresh tomato, lettuce and whatever she has on hand. I think we love the dish so much because it at once zones into several of our sensory requirements: it is spicy, crispy, soft and chewy, aromatic, warming, cooling, tasty and deeply satisfying while it’s also an all-in-one meal and best of all, it is eaten by hand. Bliss!

Here is my meatless version and it’s not because of my budget – I really want to be part of the saving-the-world-cooksisters …

Best Veggie Nachos Grande

Click here to get the recipe:

http://ilovecooking.co.za/recipes.php?categorie=10§ion=detail&recipe=149