(Gluten Free, Meat Free) It’s the weekend, and I have a real hankering for some nachos. Even though I try not to eat too much dairy, I sometimes just have to treat myself! So, here’s the recipe I made up, which sneaks vegetables into a notorious ‘junk food.’ Spoiler alert – kale is one of the sneaky vegetables that found it’s way into this treat! No surprise there I’m sure  -what with the recipe’s name and all 😉 Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 1-2 tbsp coconut oil or butter
• 1 onion, chopped (I used red onion)
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 green pepper, chopped (or whatever pepper you might have)
• 100 g (1 cup) roasted vegetables (I had roasted onion, broccoli and potatoes in my fridge leftover but use whatever you have around)
• 1 can of black beans
• 1 pack of taco seasoning (Yes, I cheated and used a pre-made pack of taco seasoning, but if you want to be less of a cheat, I’ve added a recipe for taco seasoning below)
• 3 handfuls of tortilla chips (or, I treated myself and used M&S Montery Jack Refried Bean Chips– YUM)
• Grated hard cheese (use however much is best for you. I used about 50g of mature cheddar)
• 2 handfuls of kale rubbed with a little bit of olive oil and salt
• Salsa (to top with -optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 170C (350F).
2. Saute onion, garlic and pepper for 3-5 minutes.
3. Throw in roasted vegetables (if you have some) and black beans until hot.
4. Add in taco seasoning (homemade recipe below) with a few tablespoons of water. Cook for another 5 minutes until sauce is thickened and vegetables are cooked. FYI- You’ll only use about half of this vegetable mixture so throw the rest on some greens with salsa for lunch the next day!
5. Put one layer of chips on baking tray and layer with 1/4 of vegetable mixture and cheese. Add another layer of chips, 1/4 vegetable mixture and cheese. Top with olive oil-rubbed kale.
6. Bake for 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted and kale is a little crispy.
7. Top nachos with some salsa, pop on a flick and bask in the glory of the nachos and the weekend!

Just look these beauties…nom nom nom.

What’s that? You want a close up of these sexy nachos? Okay fine! You’re welcome.

Taco Seasoning

Mix the following ingredients together:

• 1 Tbsp. Chili Powder
• ¼ tsp. Garlic Powder
• ¼ tsp Onion Powder
• ¼ tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
• ¼ tsp Dried Oregano
• ½ tsp Paprika
• 1 ½ tsp Ground Cumin
• 1 tsp. Sea Salt
• 1 tsp. Black Pepper (optional)