Fully Loaded Nachos with Smoked Lentils, Kale and Turmeric Cheese

Loaded with plants and protein, these show stopping vegan nachos are perfect any get-together, party or celebration.

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Where do I start? Before I became vegan, nachos were my jam, my go-to... my comfort food. Since then, I've been cooking up ways to make the ultimate vegan nachos, and you know what? This is it, this is the recipe. Yes there are a lot of ingredients, but its worth the effort, believe me.

Fully Loaded Nachos with Smoked Lentils, Kale, and Turmeric Cheese

Ingredients

1 bag of tortilla chips

Turmeric Cheese
1/2 cup cooked sweet potato or approx. 1 small sweet potato
1 cup cashews, soaked in boiling water for 20 minutes
1/2 cup canola oil
1/2 cup non-dairy unsweetened milk of choice
Juice from 2 lemons
1/4 cup pitted green olives (optional - gives it a nice salty flavor)
1 jalapeño
1 tbsp olive or jalapeño brine (liquid from a jar of olives or pickled jalapeño)
1 1/2 tbsp nutritional yeast
1 1/4 tsp turmeric
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
salt and pepper to taste
4-6 tbsp water

Smoked Lentils
1 can of lentils, seasoned with onion & bay leaf - such as
1/2 yellow small onion, finely chopped
1 tbsp canola or grapeseed oil
handful of kale,, finely chopped.
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/4 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp chili powder
salt and pepper to taste

Optional Toppings
Guacamole (1 avocado smashed with juice a lime, pinch of cilantro, salt and pepper, and chili flakes. I also added a dash of green sriracha)
salsa
jalapeño cream
diced tomato
diced purple onion
diced jalapeño
olives
fresh sprouts

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Directions

Prepare the turmeric cheese

1.  Add all the ingredients for the turmeric cheese into a high-speed blender, except the water.
2. Blitz on high for 1 minute. Add the water tbsp by tbsp. You want a slightly runny consistency.
3. Once the cheese is ready, set aside.

Prepare the nacho toppings

1. Dice your vegetable toppings such as the tomato and onion
2. Prepare guacamole, salsa, etc., so you have it on hand when you start to build your nachos

Prepare the smoked lentils

1. In a medium-sized pan, add oil and heat on medium-high for 1 minute.
2. Add diced onion and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Add the canned lentils and spices and fully combine. Turn heat to low.
4. Add kale to lentils and mix to combine. Remove from heat.

Build your nacho platter

1. Ensure your cheese is still warm, heat in microwave or stove top if nessessary.
2. On a large platter, start by adding a layer of tortilla chips.
3. Spoon a light layer of the lentil mixture.
4. Next drizzle the cheese and add your favorite vegetable toppings.
5. Repeat as many times as you like!

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