Must Grill Everything! {Grilled Nachos!}

We have been enjoying a major grill-fest for the last week. Ever since we moved in we can't use our grill enough! This means I have a serious need for garlic, olive oil, and all of my favorite items that are basically useless when you're not grilling out. Go to the produce section, and near the herbs you should fine these delightful tubes of tasty things. It's all of your favorite things basically made into a paste that is PERFECT for marinades. My favorite thing is that you can just keep it in the fridge until you need it. No wilted cilantro leaves, etc.

Tonight I made Mexican-inspired grilled chicken breasts with grilled onions and red bell peppers. I used an 8-oz prep bowl and poured a generous amount of olive oil into it. Next I added about 2 tablespoons of minced garlic and 2 tablespoons of cilantro paste. I added an undetermined amount of red chili paste, probably just under a tablespoon. Next was a few dashes of smoked chipotle peppers, kosher salt, and a bit of Mrs. Dash's southwest seasoning. I allowed the chicken to marinate for about 10 minutes while I heated up the grill. (If you need instructions on just how to grill chicken, then you need more help than I am prepared to provide.)

I put the chicken on the grill and then went inside to skewer a large, thick slice of onion and 1 red bell pepper, which I quarted. I brushed both with a little olive oil, then sprinkled on garlic salt & chipotle powder. By the time I went back out, the chicken had about an 8-minute headstart. I started the veggies over the hottest part of the grill until they began to blacken, and then moved them over. You will love the smoky flavor that the veggies take on as they grill.  

Once everything was done cooking, I diced up the chicken & veggies and made some amazing nachos. Yes, I used store bought queso. If you don't like it, you're totally not invited to my birthday party. It's the one terribly fake food I must have on occasion. ;-) 

Assembled nachos

The perfect chip!