Made With Love Nachos Tower

I read On The Line by Naomi Loud. This is the first book by this author that I have read and I will say it had me hooked. I loved Ozzy and James as a couple. I felt that the two of them complimented each other really well. They always showed up for each other and did not leave the other had me feeling good. I felt like Ozzy was prime boyfriend material. There was one part of the book when Ozzy is talking with his roommate, Alec. Alec is trying to get Ozzy to spill the beans on what James is like. Ozzy handled the situation like a true man. He put his best friend down so elegantly and as a reader you understood at that point how much Ozzy truly cared about James.

These two characters went through a lot to get to the point they were at in the book. Their struggles were raw and of things that no one should have to go through. They both experience family trauma uniquely and authentically. Even their previous relationships did not go without their struggles to make them into the people they were in this book. Especially for James. She went through some traumatic situations with her ex-boyfriend. One particular situation is discussed in the book as a previous event and is not written as having had happen in the present. However, the impact of the situation has its effects on James. Ozzy knows about James' previous relationship and helps her through it the way that works for James.

It is important to note that Ozzy and James met at work. Ozzy is a line cook and James is a server at a nice restaurant. They often work together a lot and then hang out with each other after their shift. One particular night that they are working together is the day of James' birthday. James did not break up with her boyfriend, Zachary, prior to this scene. He shows up to her job with his best friend. Zachary was a toxic boyfriend and it always made James feel like she was walking on eggshells whenever they spent time with each other. She would never know what mood he would be in. Mix alcohol into the mix and things can get out of control. Zachary did not get James anything for her birthday but was still looking for her to give hime a good time. Ozzy makes James a nacho cake tower using Doritos because they are her favorite chip. He made her something meaningful and that left an impact on her. It caused her to realize how little her boyfriend actually does for her. Zachary starts to get rowdy at the restaurant and James asks him to leave. Zachary gives her a hard time and Ozzy finally comes around to kicking them out. Of course, James gave Ozzy a little motivation and you will have to read the book if you want to know what it is. This scene is also a turning point in their relationship.

Since the book was so impactful and the birthday scene was a turning point for the two of them I decided I wanted to make the nachos. I thought it was very interesting that Doritos was used for the chip. I have never thought to use Doritos as the tortilla chip for Nachos. I have heard of "walking tacos" where Doritos are used and you pile the taco meat and toppings into the bag of Doritos. I also felt that since Ozzy made the nachos at the restaurant, he would have used steak. The way the restaurant is described, steak seemed more fitting than ground meat. James is often described as a picky eater or needing to know what is in her food. I felt that not having many toppings with the nachos is how Ozzy would have made them for her.

At the very end of this book there is are a few recipes that Ozzy made throughout the book. Surprisingly the nachos was not one of the recipes in at the back of the book. Ozzy's love language is cooking so it was fitting that there would be so many recipes shared. Let me know what you think of the nachos or the book.

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Doritos Nachos Tower

Doritos Nacho Cheese

Ingredients

• 9 1/4oz bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos

• 8 oz shredded Cheddar cheese

• 3/4 cup Queso Cheese

• 1/2 of a pepper, chopped

• 1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed (optional)

• 1/2 of an onion, chopped (optional)

• 2lbs steak (I used Flank)

• half a packet of taco seasoning

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 4tbsp butter

Directions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Season the steak with taco seasoning, salt and pepper and garlic powder. In a large skillet over medium high heat melt the butter. Once the butter has melted add the steak. Cook the steak on each side for about 7 minutes, depending on the thickness of the steak. You want the steak to reach a temperature of 145 degrees if you are using flank. Higher then that will make the steak become chewy and tough. Once done, let it rest for 15 minutes.

Step 2: While the steak rests arrange the Doritos on a large baking sheet. Try to keep them to a single layer. Sprinkle on the shredded cheese, pepper and optional black beans and onion.

Step 3: Heat the Queso cheese in the microwave and drizzle on top of the Nachos

Step 4: Cut the steak into cubes. Add the cubed steak on top of the nachos. Put the Nachos in the oven for 5 to 7 minutes. Watch carefully as you do not want the Doritos to get too brown. Enjoy while reading On The Line by Naomi Loud.