October 21is International Day of the Nacho #DayOfTheNacho. Not knowing what to make for dinner this evening I may make #Nachos which Charlie has been asking for. The only problem with this is I’m not sure Charlie would be able to eat the Tortilla Chips with his tooth.
I was thinking I might make Nacho Fries for Charlie and David like his mom makes for David’s dad. Before you ask what would I eat. I’m not sure although I could make Cheese Fries for me. Would you like to have dinner with me? I have Milk and Sweet Tea to go with our dinner if your thirsty.
The International Day of the Nacho is October 21 and the origins centers around Ignacio Anaya, who worked at the Old Victory Club in Piedras Negras in 1943. The Old Victory Club was situated near an American military base.
One day, a group of American military wives went on a shopping trip. When they were done, hungry, they approached several restaurants but all of the restaurants in Town were already closed. With stomachs rumbling, the women approached the last open restaurant, the Old Victory Club.
As the Nachos legend continues, Ignacio Anaya worked either as a Chef or a Maitre d’ and because the restaurant rush was over, there wasn’t that much food left to offer the group. Feeling a bit sorry for them, Anaya offered to see what he could find and prepare himself. Eventually, Anaya came out with a new Mexican hors d’oeuvre, a “Nacho special.”
Here’s some added trivia: Ignacio named the dish after himself because “Nacho” is short for Ignacio. According to “Time” magazine, Ignacio “sliced and fried Tortilla Chips, covered them with shredded Cheddar and sliced Jalapenos and put the concoction in the oven for a couple of minutes.” The result was a new Tex-Mex classic dish that Americans and Mexicans have enjoyed ever since!
International Day of the Nacho Activities
- This may surprise you, but we think the best way of celebrating International Day of the Nacho is to eat Nachos! Take the opportunity today to hunt around for the best Nachos in town. (If you’re unsure, ask your friends.)
- International Day of the Nacho is for the true Nacho lover to be creative and make there own original concoctions. After all, there’s no right or wrong way to make Nachos as long as they taste great! If your fingers are covered in melted Cheesiness, you got it right!
- You know what’s tragic? A person grubbing on a plate of Nachos without friends to jump in and share. That’s why International Day of the Nacho is the perfect opportunity to Socialize, and hey, who doesn’t love a message inviting our friends and family somewhere to consume a deliciously carb-y, fatty, greasy, hot, delicious snack? Nobody. That’s who.
- In honor of the creativity of Ignacio Anaya, why not create Nacho art of your own with Tortilla Chips and a blank canvas. Did you know by doing a quick search for “Nacho art” on the Internet should give you ample inspiration. For example, there’s a guy who has changed the album covers of classic records to feature Nachos. There’s Bob Dylan’s “Highway 61 Nachos” and Guns’N’Roses’ “Appetite for Nachos.” Before you ask no, I hadn’t heard of those but I plan on looking for them. How about you?
Why We Love International Day of the Nacho
- Nachos may have been invented on the border of America and Mexico, but Nacho’s are popular all over the world and Nachos come with their own special twists. In Memphis, Tennessee, pulled Pork is a common addition, along with Barbecue Sauce and Peppers. In Hawaii, Kalua Pork and Pineapple Nachos are very common. It’s the little variations in Nachos that make them splendid!
- If you like Spam why not make Spam Nachos? Which could happen one day couldn’t it?
- Traditional Mexican cooking is of course, delicious, but there’s something charmingly commercial about the fusion of American tastes with Mexican cooking, first named after the Texas Mexican Railway chartered in Southern Texas in 1875.
- Nowadays, Tex-Mex cooking has spread across the world, with the first Tex-Mex restaurant opening in Paris in the 1980s. Basically, if there’s Spice, Tortillas, some fried protein and a Chili or two involved, we’re there. Join us as we celebrate the more traditional Mexican eats another day!
Recipe for Ground Beef Nachos
Prep: 15minutes minutes Cook:15minutes minutes Total: 30minutes minutes Servings: 8
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef
- ½ cup finely chopped onion
- 1 (1 ounce) packet taco seasoning mix (or use homemade taco seasoning blend)
- 1 large bag tortilla chips (about 11 ounces)
- 4 cups grated cheese (try cheddar, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, Colby, or a combination of these)
- ½ cup pickled jalapeños, patted dry (optional)
- Optional toppings: chopped tomato, salsa, sour cream, sliced black olives, chopped green onions, fresh cilantro, diced avocado or guacamole
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Grease a large rimmed baking sheet or line with foil or parchment; set aside. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and onion until the onion is tender and the meat is no longer pink. Drain off the fat; return beef and onion to the skillet. Add taco seasoning (and water if called for on the packet). Cook according to the instructions on the seasoning packet.
- Arrange half of the tortilla chips on the prepared baking sheet. Top chips with half of the beef mixture, half of the cheese, and half of the jalapeños (if using). Repeat layers once more.
- Bake in the oven until the cheese melts, about 10-15 minutes. Add optional toppings; serve immediately.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
