Mexican gastronomy is recognised worldwide for its diversity, intense flavours and the use of indigenous ingredients. It has been recognised as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
Mexican cuisine has a wide variety of delicious dishes, such as tacos, nachos or enchiladas, as well as a wide variety of desserts and cocktails.
Totopos are pieces of corn tortilla that have been fried or toasted until crispy.
They are the base of many Mexican dishes, including nachos. You can enjoy totopos in a variety of ways, either on their own, with salsas, guacamole, or as an accompaniment to other dishes.
Origin of Totopos
Totopos, like many other culinary creations, have roots in the rich tradition of Mexican cuisine. The word “totopo” comes from the Nahuatl word “totopochtli”, meaning “puffed corn”.
Maize has been a staple food in the diet of many indigenous cultures of Mesoamerica for centuries. The preparation of totopos was born as a way to make use of corn tortillas.
Traditionally, totopos were made using tortillas that were no longer fresh, so they were given a second life by frying or toasting.
The technique of cutting tortillas into triangles or squares and then frying or toasting them to make totopos is a practice that has evolved over time.
Totopos have become fundamental in Mexican cuisine and are the basis of many dishes, such as nachos, chilaquiles and other Mexican antojitos.
How to prepare homemade nachos step by step?
Here we leave you the recipes so you can prepare delicious homemade nachos step by step with the most popular styles.
Basic Nachos Recipe
Ingredients to prepare nachos:
- Corn tortillas (nacho triangles)
- Grated cheddar cheese
- Tomato sauce
- Guacamole
- Sour cream
- Sliced jalapeños (optional)
- Chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
Step-by-step instructions for preparing nachos:
- Preheat the oven to 180°C.
- Place the nacho triangles on a baking tray, distributing them evenly.
- Sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese generously over the nachos.
- Bake in the preheated oven until the cheese is melted and the nachos are hot (approximately 8-10 minutes).
- Once the nachos are out of the oven, spread tomato sauce, guacamole, sour cream and any other toppings you want to include on top of the nachos.
- Optionally, garnish with jalapeño slices for a spicy touch.
- Sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro over the nachos before serving.
Nacho Customisation Options:
Nachos with Chicken recipe:
Add chunks of cooked, seasoned chicken on top of the nachos before baking.
Vegetarian Nachos Recipe:
Add black beans or refried beans on top of nachos before adding cheese. Add corn, peppers and grilled onions as additional toppings.
Nachos with Cheese Dip Recipe:
Prepare a homemade cheese sauce by blending cheddar cheese, milk and a dash of cumin. Pour it over the nachos before baking.
Nachos with Pico de Gallo recipe:
Add fresh pico de gallo (tomato, onion, cilantro and lime) on top of the nachos after baking.
Nachos with Beef Recipe:
Cook beef with taco seasoning and add over nachos before baking.
Avocado Nachos Recipe:
Add fresh avocado slices on top of the nachos before serving.
With this, there is no excuse to prepare and enjoy good homemade nachos.
And you can always customise them! Adapt these recipes according to your preferences and add your favourite ingredients to make your nachos even more delicious.At Birra’s Taqueria we are experts in tacos and Mexican food since 1989. Come and taste some quality traditional nachos or other typical recipes at C/ Don Pedro, 11 and Plaza de las Comendadoras, 2, or place your order at home, you’ll be surprised!
