Vegan Nachos with Nut-free Nacho Cheese

Ingredients

For the Black Beans

• 1 tsp organic canola, or safflower oil
• 2 cloves of garlic, chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped tomato
• 1/2 tsp chipotle pepper powder
• 1/4 tsp cumin powder
• 1/4 to 1/2 tsp salt
• 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed ot 1.5 cups cooked black or pinto beans
• 2 Tbsp water

For the Nut-free Nacho Cheese sauce

• 1.5 cups non dairy milk
• 2 Tbsp chickpea flour, or other flour like unbleached white
• 1 Tbsp cornstarch, or arrowroot starch
• 1/2 tsp mustard powder
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder or paste, or 1 small clove
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp chipotle pepper powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika or smoked paprika
• 1/4 tsp cumin powder
• 1 Tbsp pickled jalapeno, or 1 tsp fresh jalapeno
• 3 Tbsp nutritional yeast
• 2 -3 tsp lemon juice
• 1 Tbsp chopped tomato, or chunky salsa
• 1/4 tsp turmeric, optional for color
• 1/2 tsp salt or to taste

For the Nachos

• Tortilla Chips
• Spiced Black Beans, Recipe Above or Refried Pinto Beans
• Nacho Cheese Sauce, Recipe Above
• pico de gallo or any chunky salsa
• guacamole, or mashed avocado mixed with lime juice and salt
• fresh or pickled jalapeno slices, cilantro and hot sauce (optional)

Steps

Make The Beans

1. Heat the oil over medium heat in a skillet; add the garlic and give it 2 minutes to cook. Cover and cook for 10 minutes after adding the other bean ingredients. Mash some beans, then taste to see whether the salt or spice needs adjusting.

Make the Nacho Cheese Sauce

1. Blend all the cheese-sauce ingredients to a smooth mixture in a blender. Pour it into a skillet over medium heat and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring throughout, to cook the flour through. It will become a smooth, thickened sauce.
2. Taste the sauce carefully, then adjust with more salt or chipotle pepper, or with lemon juice or vinegar for sourness. Use it on the nachos straight away.

Make the Nachos

1. Warm the tortilla chips by putting them in the oven for 5 minutes.
2. Build the layers in this order: chips, beans, nacho cheese sauce and salsa/pico de gallo; then chips, cheese sauce and salsa. Finish with guacamole or mashed avocado and fresh or pickled jalapeno, and serve. If desired, add a drizzle of vegan sour cream.