YumSugar

Do You Know Your Nachos?

YumSugar — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:15:43 -0800

Today is National Nachos Day! As you probably know, PartySugar loves nachos so much that she came up with a new, innovative recipe for nachos every week in her series Not Your Regular Nachos.

Think you know PartySugar's original nacho recipes? I'll be quizzing you to find out. Here's the drill: When I show you a picture of the ingredients, guess which nacho recipe they make. Are you ready? Let's dig in!

Question 1 of 6

Mozzarella, ketchup, and Lay's potato chips

A Brief History of My Beloved Nachos

partysugar — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 01:07:58 -0800

Get ready to celebrate, today is National Nachos Day! Like many other delicious dishes, nachos were invented accidentally; chef Ignacio "Nacho" Anaya threw together a dish using leftover ingredients he had on hand. In 1943, Anaya was the head cook at the Victory Club in the Mexican city of Coahuila. One day after the restaurant had closed, several American wives from the nearby US military base came in for dinner. Thinking quickly, Anaya cut a few tortillas into triangles and fried them. He then topped these with cheese and jalapenos. Voila! Nachos were born.

Today, there are many variations of nachos, including the ballpark processed cheese one. While concession stand nachos are tasty in a pinch, they don't do National Nachos Day justice.

On a day like today, go all out and make a delicious homemade version with fresh grated cheese and diced jalapeno. You know you want the recipe, just read more

Nachos
From Family Oven

1 pound Mexican chorizo, removed from casings and crumbled
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
2 cups cooked pinto beans
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
Water
Large, restaurant style corn tortilla chips
1 1/2 cups grated pepper jack
1 1/2 cups grated sharp cheddar
1 small white onion, sliced into thin rings
5 large jalapenos, stemmed, seeded, and chopped, or to taste
1 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Chopped fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish

In a large skillet, cook the chorizo, garlic, and cumin, stirring, over medium-high heat until the sausage is browned and the fat is rendered, about 5 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels.
To the fat in the pan, add the pinto beans, chili powder, salt, and 1 to 1 1/2 cups water (depending on the moisture in the beans). Cook over medium heat until warmed through, smashing with the back of a heavy wooden spoon or potato masher until chunky/smooth. Remove from the heat.
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
On a large, oval ovenproof platter or in a large baking dish, spread 1 layer of chips. Top with a layer of 1/2 of the beans, then 1/2 of the sausage, cheeses, onion rings, and chopped jalapenos.
Repeat with another layer of chips, beans, sausage, cheese, onions and jalapenos. Bake until the cheeses are melted and the mixture is hot, 5 to 8 minutes. Remove from the oven.
In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream and lime juice, with a pinch of salt. Drizzle over the nachos, garnish with cilantro, and serve immediately.

Serves 8-10.

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Come Party With Me: Super Bowl Party - Menu

partysugar — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 12:38:52 -0800

Technically the Super Bowl is not a holiday, but it's such a celebrated day that it really should be considered a holiday. I've always wondered why they (they = the people in charge, ex. the US government) don't schedule the game for a Monday instead of a Sunday and let everyone in the nation have the day off to watch the game? When I say everyone, I mean everyone - even the people who work at Safeway and McDonalds. It could be called National Super Bowl Day, or for those who are seriously PC, National Football Appreciation Day. Is there any other day that is so whole heartedly American and celebrated by all religious groups, ethnicities, and ages? I think not and thats why it's time to appropriately go incredibly over the top when planning your Super Bowl Party. I'm cheering for the Chicago Bears (because my mom was born in Baltimore-the original home of the Colts who packed up their team in the middle of the night and sneakily moved to Indianapolis - ask any true Baltimorian who they want to win and they will answer: The Bears) and made fun little blue and orange football shaped invites. Today I'm sharing my menu (which is full of delicious ideas that will take you from kick-off to overtime) so, read more.

Please note: if you are looking for healthy diet friendly recipes to make for your Super Bowl party stop reading.

Below I have compiled a menu of my favorite Super Bowl Sunday dishes that I only splurge on once a year. It's Super Bowl food, it's not supposed to be healthy. To start I'll have a smorsgasbord of appetizers to be consumed during the first and second quarters. Classic Spinach Dip and Baked Feta and Goat Cheese with Marinara will be paired with french bread croutons. You can't have the Super Bowl without nachos or chicken wings and I'll do my own interpretations with the Best Ever Nacho Layer Dip (if you only make one of my recipes make this one! I've been making it for four years and it gets rave reviews every time) and Chipotle Chicken Wings with Blue Cheese Dip. After Prince's performance during half-time, I'll bowl up the main course: a hearty Chili with Cornbread Topping. Finally if people are still hungry or craving something to satisfy their sweet tooth, during the fourth quarter commercials I'll plate a delightfully divine dessert: Black Bottom Chocolate Pie.

Got a must-make Super Bowl party recipe? Tell me about. Stay tuned because tomorrow I'll be talking drinks for this party!

Click on an image below for the recipe:

Salud! It's National Tequila Day!

YumSugar — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 01:28:13 -0700

Today is National Tequila Day, and so we thought we'd look to Mexico for our travel inspired recipes. So check back later today for shrimp tacos, tropical salsa, Tex-Mex nachos, and more. Until then, be sure to bookmark the recipe for the Margarita, and while you're sipping away, be sure to learn more about the various kinds of tequila:

Gold: Value tequilas that get their color from added caramel colorings.
Blanco (aka Silver): Unaged, clear tequila.
100 Percent Blue Agave: Premium tequila made with 100% certified blue agave. It has no added colors, flavors or sugars. May be Blanco, Añejo or Reposado.
Reposado (aka Rested): Aged 60-364 days in wooden barrels (like wine) - the barrel provides the golden color.
Añejo (aka Aged): Aged 1-3 years, also in wooden barrels. The longer aging provides a richer copper color.
Extra-Añejo (aka Reserva/Reserved): Aged 3 years+ in wooden barrels (which are often secondhand bourbon barrels) - copper or amber in color.

Source: Imbibe Magazine
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