Nachos: Difference between revisions

{{redirect|Nacho|other uses|Nacho (disambiguation)}}

[[Image:NachosWithBeefAndBeans.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Nachos with [[beef]], [[beans]], and [[cheese]]]]

<!-- Image with unknown copyright status removed: [[Image:img_0251.sized.jpg|right|thumb|Nachos with cheese]] -->

'''Nachos''' are a popular [[snack]] food, originating in North America. In their simplest form, nachos are usually [[tortilla chip]]s covered in melted [[cheese]]. First created circa [[1943]] by [[Ignacio Anaya|Ignacio "Nacho" Anaya]], the original nachos consisted of fried tortilla chips covered with melted cheese and [[jalapeño]] peppers. The [[International Day of the Nacho]] is celebrated on [[September 11]] with the International Nacho Festival held at Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico.<ref name="Orr">{{cite web

| last = Orr

| first = Adriana P.

| title = Nachos, anyone?

| work = OED News

| publisher = Oxford University Press

| month = July | year = 1999

| url = http://www.oed.com/learning/word-stories/nachos.html

| accessdate = 2007-11-04 }}</ref>

== Origin ==

Nachos originated in the city of [[Piedras Negras, Coahuila]], [[Mexico]], just over the border from [[Eagle Pass, Texas]], around 1943 at a restaurant called the Victory Club.<ref name="Orr"/><ref>The year is attributed to Anaya's [[son]], [[Ignacio Anayo Jr.]]</ref> The account goes that the wives of several U.S. soldiers from nearby Eagle Pass, who were in Piedras Negras on a shopping trip, arrived at the restaurant after it had closed for the day, so chef [[Ignacio Anaya|Ignacio "Nacho" Anaya]] invented a new dish for them with what little he had available in the kitchen: [[tortilla]]s and cheese. Anaya cut the tortillas into triangles and fried them, then added yellow [[Wisconsin Cheese|Wisconsin cheese]], calling the dish ''nachos especiales'', or "Nacho's Specialty". The Moderno Restaurant in Piedras Negras uses the original recipe.<ref>[http://mexicolesstraveled.com/nachofest.htm International Nacho Festival at Piedras Negras, Mexico]</ref>

The popularity of the "nacho" spread throughout Texas, but did not become well known outside of Texas until the 1970s, when [[Howard Cosell]] was given a plate of nachos during a taping of [[Monday Night Football]] at [[Arlington Stadium]] in [[Arlington, Texas]].<ref>[http://www.ballparks.com/baseball/american/arling.htm Arlington Stadium]</ref><ref>[http://ricos.com/history.htm Ricos Products History]</ref> Cosell enjoyed the dish, and was amused by the unusual name. He talked about them throughout the game, and for several weeks following it.<ref>{{cite news | first=Raymond | last=Sokolov | coauthors= | title=The Search for the Perfect Nacho | date=[[2006-02-06]] | publisher= | url =http://online.wsj.com/article/SB113900648565664767.html?mod=todays_us_pursuits | work =[[Wall Street Journal]] | pages = | accessdate = 2008-06-27 | language = }}</ref>

The word "nachos" first appears in English in [[1949]].<ref name="Orr"/>

==Variations==

[[Image:Nachos1.jpg|300px|thumb|right|A tray of Nachos]]

A variation consists of a quartered [[tostada]] topped with a layer of [[refried beans]] and/or various [[meat]]s and a layer of shredded [[cheese]].

Common additional [[toppings]] include:

* [[Ground beef]], [[chicken]], or [[carne asada]]

* [[Chili con carne]]

* [[Jalapeño]] [[pepper]] slices

* Other spicy or mild [[capsicum]] peppers

* [[Onion]]s

* [[Salsa (sauce)|Salsa]]

* [[Guacamole]]

* [[Sour cream]]

* [[Lettuce]] and/or [[tomatoes]]

* [[Olives]]

* [[Refried beans]]

A form of [[processed cheese]] mixed with peppers and other spices is often used in place of freshly shredded cheese in institutional or large-scale production settings, such as schools, movie theaters, sports venues, and [[convenience store]]s, or wherever using freshly grated cheese may be logistically prohibitive. Such processed cheese is referred to in the [[United States]] as "nacho cheese." Though originally formulated as a cheaper and more convenient source of cheese to top nachos, this [[dip]] has become popular enough in the U.S. that it is readily available in many Mexican-themed restaurants <ref>[http://www.tacobell.com/ tacobell.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> or for purchase at most major [[grocery store]]s in both name brand ([[Frito-Lay]], [[Tostitos]], and [[Taco Bell]]) and off brand versions, where it is often served accompanied by various shredded cheeses.

Nachos with an abundance of toppings are sometimes called "loaded nachos." This type of dish is usually served as an [[appetizer]] at bars or restaurants in the United States. The dish is normally prepared in this manner: The tortilla chips are arranged on a platter, meat and [[refried bean]] toppings are then added, and the entire platter is smothered with shredded cheese. The platter is then put into a broiler or [[microwave]] to allow the cheese to melt. The platter is then covered with the cold toppings (shredded lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, jalapeños, etc.) and served immediately.

In [[Memphis, Tennessee]], [[barbecue]] nachos are served in most barbecue restaurants, and also at sporting events. Generous portions of barbecued [[pork]] shoulder are placed atop tortilla chips, then covered with melted cheese, [[barbecue sauce]], and sliced jalapeño peppers.

A similar dish that involves tortilla chips and cheese is found in [[Tex-Mex cuisine|Tex-Mex]] restaurants. Small bowls of [[chili con queso]] and/or, more commonly, [[Salsa (sauce)|salsa]], are served with baskets of warm [[tortilla chips]] as appetizers.

==See also==

{{Wiktionary}}

{{Cookbook|Simple Nachos}}

*[[Chili con queso]]

*[[Mexican cuisine]]

*[[Tex-Mex cuisine]]

*[[Tortilla chip]]

==References==

<references/>

*[http://denverpost.com/portlet/article/html/fragments/print_article.jsp?article=2724023 Denver Post] reference to International Day of the Nacho, [[October 21]].

*Dunne, Mike. ([[January 28]] [[2004]]). "One spicy tale: 'Macho Nachos'. ''Sacramento Bee'', p. F1.

==External links==

*[http://www.urbancookingguide.com/tips/2-Dug-Vegetarian-Nachos.html Recipe for vegetarian nachos]

*[http://www.ilovenachocheese.com ILoveNachoCheese.com - Recipes, Humor, and Opinions on nachos and nacho cheese]

[[Category:Tex-Mex cuisine]]

[[Category:Tortilla-based dishes]]

[[Category:Appetizers]]

[[Category:Cheese dishes]]

[[Category:Snack foods]]

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