When it comes to my favorite microwavable snack, nachos win hands down. Whether it be in a dorm room, or anywhere else, nachos really are the best. Granted, you can do a lot more with them in a stove or oven than you can with a 1200 watt microwave, but they are one of the few foods that do not suffer with limited kitchen access. For that reason, I have chosen to tackle this particular snack this week.

For starters, you are going to need a few things:

• Sturdy tortilla chips. This does not mean Tostitos. Those weaklings give out under the slightest weight of toppings. I like Green Mountain Gringo strips (yellow and blue corn variety because it makes a prettier final product).
• Cheese and a whole lot of it. I recommend mixing and matching (sharp cheddar with some mango habanero Gouda). I understand that some prefer the queso in a jar (that’s that yellow goopy stuff). This is fine too. The beauty of nachos is it’s completely a product of its creator.
• Green leaf lettuce (shredded is more convenient in the limited confines of the dorm).
• Red onion (diced).
• As of September, avocados are out of season. This means they’re going to be super expensive, hard, and tasteless. For this reason, guac is out. However, you can get some prepared guac at Walmart. It’s edible, but I recommend using conservatively.
• 1 can petite diced tomatoes
• 2 jalapeño peppers (you can switch out with Serrano, chile, etc. depending on your preferred heat level).
• Sour cream
• 1 can refried beans
• Lemon juice
• Cilantro (it’s for the salsa so fresh is preferred but not necessary)
• Cumin

Basically, the steps are as follows:

Small dice the red onion and one jalapeño pepper (DO NOT TOUCH YOUR FACE!). Mix with drained tomatoes, lemon juice, dash of cumin, and about ½ to 1 tsp of cilantro.

Shred your cheese or buy it already shredded. In a bowl (or really, right in the chip bag), mix 1/2 with chips so the cheese is evenly spread. Slice the other jalapeño and toss those in as well. Once together, spread the chips out on a microwaveable dish. Create a crater and put the refried beans in the center. Spread the rest of your cheese on top of the beans and the rest of the chips. Heat in the microwave until the cheese oozes beautifully over your mountain of chips. Place a handful of lettuce in the center, topping with a liberal scoop of salsa, followed by sour cream, and there you have it- restaurant quality nachos without leaving the dorm. It makes a perfect treat for the cold months ahead. Sadly it does not keep well though, so only make what you’re going to eat.