Who doesn’t love Mexican night?

My Mexican go-to meal has always been nachos. Unfortunately, the way it’s usually made is quite unhealthy. It has very little nutritional value often using cheap and processed ingredients. However, there’s some good news!

By simply replacing a few of the more “unhealthy” ingredients with nutritional ones there is no reason you can’t enjoy nachos. Let’s discuss how to make nutritious nachos.

 

Note: this recipe serves two people. For more serves, simply double or triple the quantities listed below as needed.

What you will need:

• 1 avocado
• 3 large sweet potatoes
• 2 Tbsp Olive oil
• 2 medium tomatoes
• 1 medium sized zucchini
• ½ red onion
• 500g lean organic minced meat
• 1 can organic crushed tomatoes
• 4 cloves of garlic
• ½ yellow onion
• ½ lemon
• Salt, pepper, paprika and Moroccan seasoning to taste

 

Cooking instructions:

1. Pre heat oven to 180° and line medium sized baking tray with baking paper.

2. For the sweet potatoes - peel off the skin and thinly slice, drizzle with olive oil and then bake in the oven until crunchy and golden brown. This should take about 20-30 minutes.

Note: By replacing corn chips with sweet potato you are cutting out excess sodium and unnecessary processed carbohydrates. Corn chips have little to no nutritional value where as sweet potatoes are full of vitamin C, vitamin B1,B2, B6, vitamin A and potassium and are a great source of healthy carbohydrates that will keep you fuller for longer.

3. Next, chop up your onion and garlic, and then fry in an oiled pan until the onion is browned. Add in the zucchini and continue to fry until zucchini has softened.

Note: Garlic and onion not only taste great but they are full of antioxidants. Zucchini is a great source of vitamins, omega 3 fatty acids it and protein.

4. The next step is to add in the minced meat and cook for five minutes. When ready, add in the crushed tomatoes.

5. Following this, season the minced meat with salt, pepper, paprika and Moroccan seasoning to taste and then reduce the heat and simmer for another 15 minutes.

Note: Lean minced meat is the perfect source of protein and high in iron whilst being low in fat and sodium. When buying your meat for this recipe make sure to get the best quality you can find as it is the main ingredient.

6. Mash avocado and add lemon juice, salt and pepper.

Note: Avocados are a great source of healthy fats filled with vitamin E, copper, folate and potassium.

7. Chop the red onion and tomatoes to create salsa. This step adds freshness to the nachos whilst providing you with a great dose of vitamin C from the tomatoes.

8. Finally assemble your nachos by creating a layer of sweet potatoes on your plate, then spoon meat and sauce over the top. Afterwards, add a spoonful of the avocado mixture and salsa!

9. Enjoy!