spring hill ranch's tortilla chip pie

20 Pinches 13 Photos
Sierra Vista, AZ
Updated on Jul 14, 2023

San Miguel County, and especially the country store in Pecos (pronounced Peck'-os by locals) and the area around Villanueva, is famous for its Frito pies. It made me so dang mad that they were trying to cash in on a specialty dish from the "rust belt" and not the uniqueness of our local area. Well, it got to the point I was requested to bring this to the fiestas and "do's" many times a year. And while this is great just as it is, folks seem to like to use it as a side to cheese enchiladas or chile rellanos along with the refried beans.

prep time 30 Min
cook time 4 Hr
method Slow Cooker Crock Pot
yield 4-6 serving(s)

Ingredients

  • FOR THE MEAT:
  • 1 teaspoon lard (or vegetable oil)
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 medium white onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 8-ounce cans reduced salt tomato sauce
  • 1/3 cup chopped ripe olives
  • 1 4-ounce cans mushrooms
  • FOR THE SAUCE:
  • 8 ounces sour cream
  • 8 ounces cottage cheese
  • 1/4 pound (about 2) new mexico green chiles, roasted, peeled and diced
  • 1/8 pound (about 2) jalapeño or serrano chiles, roasted, peeled and diced
  • 8 ounces pepper-jack cheese, grated, divided
  • FOR THE "PIE" CRUST
  • 1 12-ounce packages tortilla chips, crushed, divided
  • FOR SERVING:
  • More tortilla chips for serving
  • Cilantro chopped, for serving

How To Make spring hill ranch's tortilla chip pie

  • Step 1
    In a skillet over medium high heat, melt the lard. Toss in the onions and cook, stirring often, until they begin turning translucent. NOTE: I normally use fresh mushrooms and will cook them with the onions here.
  • Step 2
    Add the ground beef, browning it as you mix it with the onions.
  • Step 3
    When the beef has just about finished browning but is still showing a little red meat, add the garlic. Stir/toss and cook for about another minute.Then drain off the excess fat.
  • Step 4
    Back on the heat, stir in the tomato sauce, olives and mushrooms (if using canned). Stir and cook for another couple minutes to let the flavors fester.
  • Step 5
    Meanwhile, in a medium mixing bowl, combine the sour cream, cottage cheese, green chiles and Jalapeños.
  • Step 6
    In the bottom of your slow cooker, spread about 1/3 of the crushed tortilla chips
  • Step 7
    Over the chips, spread about 1/2 of the meat mixture.
  • Step 8
    Over the meat mixture, spread about 1/2 the sour cream mixture.
  • Step 9
    Over the sour cream mixture, spread about 1/2 the grated cheese.
  • Step 10
    Now repeat the layering process with 1/3 of the chips. the remaining meat mixture, sour cream mixture and cheese. Top it off with the remaining crushed chips. Put the cover on and slow cook that puppy on low for 4 hours.
  • Step 11
    For serving, layer a plate (or line a bowl) with tortilla chips. Spoon on a couple good ladles of the good stuff. Sprinkle on a little cilantro and serve with a few more chips.

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