BROWN TRASH CAN RECIPES

Steps:

• Carne Asada: Combine 2 minced garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons lime juice and 1 teaspoon kosher salt; rub all over 8 ounces skirt steak and refrigerate 30 minutes. Grill over high heat, turning, until charred, 6 to 8 minutes. Let rest, then chop.
• Super Melty Cheese (SMC): Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat; add 1 tablespoon flour and whisk until smooth and toasted, 5 minutes. Whisk in 1 cup each whole milk and heavy cream; bring to a boil. Add 2 ounces each grated mild cheddar, monterey jack, Oaxaca and asadero cheese. Whisk until melted. Stir in a pinch each of cayenne and cumin, 1 tablespoon each minced pickled jalapenos and pickled jalapeno juice and 2 tablespoons pico de gallo. Remove from the heat and keep warm.
• Black Beans: Rinse 1 cup dried black beans, then soak in water overnight; drain. Transfer to a saucepan, cover with water by 2 inches and bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer. Add 1/2 cup minced sweet onion, 1 clove minced garlic, 1/2 tablespoon kosher salt and 1 sprig epazote (or 1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano). Simmer until the beans are tender, about 1 hour, adding more water as needed. Discard the epazote.
• Make the carne asada, super melty cheese (SMC) and black beans (see above).
• Spoon some of the SMC in a large tin can (an empty 110-ounce can works well, or you can use a pot or a metal bucket). Layer 1/4 pound tortilla chips one-quarter of the way up.
• Spoon more SMC over the chips, then sprinkle with a layer each of carne asada and black beans. Sprinkle with pico de gallo, shredded cheddar, sliced jalapeno, crumbled Cotija cheese, sliced red onion, julienned radish and chopped cilantro; drizzle with Mexican crema.
• Repeat to make 3 more layers of chips, SMC, meat, beans and toppings. Place a large round platter or tray on top of the nachos; invert onto the platter and remove the can. Garnish with more pico de gallo, cilantro, red onion and jalapeno.

Steps:

• Dump the cereals, M&Ms, nuts & pretzels in a large bowl.
• Melt the white chocolate in the microwave or in a double boiler. Melt very slowly, stirring occasionally, being careful not to burn the chocolate.
• Dump melted chocolate over the rest of the ingredients and fold over and over until you have well-coated hunks and chunks.
• Spread the whole mess out on parchment paper and set in a cool place until it sets up, then break it into pieces.
• Store in zip-top bags or air-tight containers.