How Nachos Became a Popular Snack

What started as a simple dish to feed a group of hungry housewives on a shopping trip has grown to be one of the most popular snacks in the U.S.

Nachos have an interesting history. In 1943, a group of housewives from the military base of Fort Duncan in Eagle Pass, Texas, made a trip to Mexico. When they got hungry, they stopped at a restaurant which had closed for the day. The chef prepared a dish for them from what he had on hand in the kitchen. The chef, nicknamed "Nacho" served them a dish of tortilla chips with melted cheese and jalapeno peppers as a topping. The women enjoyed the snack and started making it at home.

In the beginning, nachos was only a Texas dish. In the 1950s, the dish was introduced at a Mexican restaurant in Los Angeles. During a broadcast of Monday Night Football in the 1970s, nachos were served as a snack to the broadcasters. It was a subject of discussion throughout the broadcast.  After the broadcast, the dish spread as an appetizer or snack throughout the United States.

Many restaurants that do not specialize in Mexican food may have nachos on their menu as an appetizer. There are a number of variations which include the basic ingredients of tortilla chips with melted cheese and jalapeno peppers along with shredded beef or ground beef, chicken, refried beans, black beans, olives, lettuce, tomatoes, gucamole, and sour cream. These appetizers are known as "loaded nachos." There is also a barbecue variation where shredded barbecued pork or beef is used as a topping and the barbecue sauce is served on top.

Nachos are also served in other countries. Tortilla chips may be substituted for another crunch item but toppings are usually the same.

If you want to make a snack for the family to eat while watching your favorite movie or sports game, nachos are easy to prepare. You can create your own recipe by adding various toppings. For a healthy snack, you can use package tortilla chips that are salt-free and fat-free and add toppings of light cheese, jalapeno peppers, lettuce, and tomatoes, and light sour cream. You can also find pre-packaged cheeses for nachos at your grocery store. Or, you can shred your own favorite cheeses such as Monterey Jack.

This is an authentic Mexican dish that the whole family can enjoy at any time. It may be a bit messy so have plenty of napkins on hand.

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