Noshing on Nachos

One of my favorite foods is nachos.  Let's be honest, they are practically a perfect food.  You have protein, veggies, dairy and chips!  I have ordered nachos in dozens of restaurants and made them homemade.  The ones I made had chips, chorizo cooked, drained and patted with paper towels, salsa, cheese, peppers, olives and more cheese.  If you make them on your own, you can add anything you want.

Last night I was in a bar in Forest Park called Duck Fat.  Their nachos have pot roast on them, they are topped with a delicious salsa, fresh guacamole, and just the right amount of jalepeno peppers as well as tons of chihuahua cheese.  They were probably the best nachos I have had.  Part of the appeal was the chips were so fresh.  I wouldn't be surprised if they are made to order or at least made right as the bar opens.  Even the chips not covered in toppings were warm and crisp.

February's Food Network Magazine does nachos 50 ways.  Some of these combos are crazy!

Start with 8 C. chips on a rimmed baking sheet or in a shallow dish.  Add cheese and other toppings, then bake at 475 degrees in the upper third of the oven until melted, about 7 minutes.  Below are some fun variations.  Nachos may become a dinner staple at my house...or breakfast; see variation #2.

Jerk Pork--top your chips with pork tenderloin cooked with jerk seasoning and grilled; pineapple and pepperjack cheese.  Bake and top with jalepenos, cilantro and lime juice.

Bacon and Egg-Top tortilla chips with a can of refried beans and 3 C. shredded cheddar, add 1lb. crumbled cooked bacon and crack 4 eggs on top.  Bake until the whites set, about 10 minutes.  Top with salsa and scallions.

Chimichurri--Puree 1/2 C. each parsley, cilantro and olive oil, 1 garlic clove and some hot sauce.  Rub 1lb. skirt steak with half of the sauce, grill and slice.  Top lime flavored tortilla chips with 1 1/2 C. each mozzarella and cotija cheese.  Bake then top with the steak and remaining chimichurri sauce.

Greek--Top 4 C. pita chips with 1 C. each hummus, diced cucumber, tomatoes, and feta, 1/4 C. each chopped red onion and kalamata olives, some tzatziki sauce and oregano.  Do not bake.

Chorizo-Manchego--Top tortilla chips with 1 can refried beans, 3 C. manchego and 1lb. cooked crumbled chorizo.  Bake, then top with pickled jalepenos, salsa and sour cream.

Chili-Corn Chip--Top Fritos with 2 C. chili and 3 C. shredded cheddar.  Bake and top with pickled jalepenos and sour cream.

Shrimp--Top tortilla chips with 1 1/2 C. each white cheddar and muenster.  Bake then top with sauteed shrimp, diced onion, avocado and cilantro.

Pizza--Toss half of a thinly sliced baguette with olive oil, then spread on a baking sheet and bake until crisp, about 7 minutes.  Top with 2 C. pizza sauce, 3 C.  shredded mozzarella and 1/2 C.  parmesan.  Bake, then sprinkle with chopped basil.

S'Mores--Top graham crackers with marshmallow fluff.  Bake, them drizzle with hot fudge.

Chocolate-Banana--Drizzle pretzel crisps with 1/2 C. warm Nutella and top with 2 sliced bananas, 1/4 C. chopped peanuts and whipped cream.  Do not bake.