You’re right.  You don’t really need a recipe for this.

However–you just might love having the idea of the flavors that make this appetizer a winner.  My family tried a nacho appetizer like this one at a nearby restaurant and we LOVED it so much that we knew we would have to put together our own version.  The combination of sweet baked beans with the savory steak just hits home.

This delicious dish is one reason that I like to have frozen slices of flank steak available in my fridge.  It only takes a few minutes in my cast iron skillet to get it ready for the nachos.  While it’s cooking I warm up the baked beans, slice up the onion and avocado and grate the cheese.  I like using a couple of different layers of cheese.  I firmly believe that no tortilla chip should come to this mouthwatering party undressed.

Lay down a layer of chips and cover them with a handful of grated cheese.  Put it in your oven or microwave just long enough to get the cheese starting to melt.   Add baked beans by spoonfuls on top of the cheesy chips and toss on your cooked steak bites.  Now throw on another handful of cheese and pop it back in the oven or microwave until that top layer of cheese is melted.  I usually use my microwave oven and this is why I like the fine grated cheese for this recipe–it doesn’t have to hang out in the microwave very long to melt.  Top with onions and avocados, a dollop of sour cream and a drizzling of salsa or picante sauce.   (I’ve been known to carmelize onions for this dish too–if you have the time it’s worth the taste).

Serve it to the waiting masses…. in my case that’s Keven, my adorable son.  He’s had these three days in a row for his after school snack.

**if you are using canned baked beans, do yourself a favor and drain them really well, add a couple of tablespoons of brown sugar and warm them on the stove top to get rid of the “tin can” taste.