Delight in a simple yet flavorful snack or sharing dish with charred corn and black bean nachos. This recipe features crispy tortilla chips layered with melted cheese, smoky charred corn, and seasoned black beans, all brought to life with fresh jalapeños. The dish is easily customizable, allowing you to add your favorite ingredients like tomatoes, avocado, or extra spices.
To prepare this delicious treat, start by removing the kernels from two ears of corn and heating them in a large frying pan over high heat. Cook the kernels while stirring occasionally for about five to ten minutes until they achieve a deep char. Once done, transfer the corn to a large bowl.
Using the same pan, add some vegetable oil, followed by canned black beans that have been drained and rinsed, and lightly crushed cumin seeds. Season the mixture with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cook over high heat for around five minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beans become slightly crisp and start to pop. Mix the beans with the charred corn, then finely grate the zest of one lime over the mixture and add the juice from one and a half limes. Stir in most of the chopped fresh coriander and finely chopped jalapeños, then toss everything together, adjusting the seasoning with more lime juice, salt, or pepper as needed.
Preheat your grill to high and arrange the tortilla chips evenly on a baking tray. Sprinkle grated mozzarella and mature cheddar over the chips, then place the tray under the grill for a few minutes until the cheese melts and becomes bubbly. Be sure to watch closely to avoid burning the chips or cheese. Transfer the hot nachos to a serving platter, spoon the charred corn and black bean mixture over the cheesy chips, and add small dollops of sour cream. Garnish with the remaining coriander and jalapeños and serve immediately.
For those seeking extra freshness or flavor, try adding diced ripe tomatoes or serving the nachos with guacamole. You can also enhance the depth of flavor by incorporating smoked paprika, crushed coriander seeds, or other favorite spices into the beans.