Cheesy Bacon Baked Tortilla Chips

It's football season, but it's not like I care, I don't even watch football! I just happen to think that this recipe would be perfect for a tailgating party, or pre-football watching party or any kind of party actually. It's filled with bacon, onions and cheese with a kick of jalapenos. How could this not be good?!?

Yummm, I think that's a 9:1 bacon ratio there, that's a gooooood ratio:

Now for the addition of the cheddar; cheese always makes things better:

First, spreading on the salsa, then topping with the cheddar-bacon mixture:

Cheesy Bacon Baked Tortilla Chips

Yields: Enough as an appetizer for about 10 people

Slighty adapted from here.

Printable Recipe

2 jalapenos, minced (you can discard the seeds if you prefer)

1 small onion, minced

1 garlic clove, minced

1 package bacon, chopped into small pieces

2 cups cheddar cheese

1 jar salsa (choose your favorite)

1 large bag of tortilla chips

Preheat oven to 400 F. Place tortilla chips on a large baking sheet in a single layer, set aside. In a large pan brown the bacon until fully cooked and crisp. Remove from the pan and drain on a paper towel, allow to cool. Remove all of the bacon grease from the pan except 1 tablespoon. Add onions, jalapenos and garlic. Cook for 3 - 5 minutes until translucent and cooked through. Add to bacon and allow to cool. Once cool, add the cheddar to the mixture and mix well. Spoon a teaspoonful of salsa on each tortilla chip and top with the cheese mixture. Place in oven for 5 - 8 minutes or until the cheese turns a nice golden brown. Serve straight away and enjoy!

Tales of Summer Over-Indulgence

Ever heard of the Orange County fair? Well if you're a native, not only have you heard of it, you've probably made numerous pilgrimages during the summer. It's a staple to American culture and the culinary offerings never fail to delight, shock, or put into cardiac arrest. Name anything deep fried and I betcha, you'll find it here, along with deep fried poptarts, cupcakes, and frog legs. I'm surprised people still live to talk about it!

Highlights of my visit to the fair this year were the kettle cooked chips and the Mexican funnel cake. Chips... ehh you say? Well that's what I thought I would be saying, who the heck buys chips at a world-renowned deep fried food fair? ME, from now on, every year! There's something about these chips that are absolutely magical and completely addicting. 

The fresh grilled corn is also a part my yearly ritual menu. A vegetable to balance out all of that trans fat goodness. But I guess smothering it in mayonnaise, parmesan cheese, and hot sauce doesn't really help does it? 

Then an epiphany came to me in the form of a Mexican funnel cake. OH MY GOSHHH! Let me say again, many, many times over: oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh. It was like a ginormous churro in the form of a funnel cake served with freshly whipped cream that should have basically been called ice cream, it was SO thick and creamy. But take my advice, share this beast with 3+ people (especially if you plan on trying other fair delights). We were so bloated I almost wanted to vomit. But my heart told me otherwise and its love for this funnel cake was undying and enduring... and that ladies and gentleman, was the day I almost died from a food coma.

In the same booth they sold "apple fries," and all I can say is that I shouldn't have wasted my precious stomach space on this. Next year, I'll definitely pass.