Nacho Party!

What vino would you pair with with nachos?

Well, it depends. Tonight I'm pairing these homemade chicken nachos with a delicious white wine called Albariño. Traditionally, Albariño is grown in Rías Baixas, a wine region in Galicia, Spain. However, here in the U.S., and in the state of Texas, grape growers are doing an outstanding job of producing some amazing Albariño. For these chicken nachos... I say, this Texas 2020 Grower Project Alabriño is the pick! Fantastic acidity and citrusy notes perfect with any spicy Mexican cuisine.

For my Houston based followers, I make an effort to post wines which are available in the grocery store and easy to find. I do know the 2021Grower Project Albariño is available online and perhaps soon at Whole Foods, HEB, and Houston Wine Merchant. I found the 2020 Albariño at Houston Wine Merchant for $21.99.

Talking about making some nachos? These nachos were simple and quick to make.

All you need:

· Tortilla chips restaurant style

· Beans (smashed and refried)

· Onions

· Tomatoes

· Jalapeños

· Cilantro

· Chicken (I used roasted shredded chicken breast)

· White cheese, like Monterrey Jack cheese is perfect!

Chop the onions, dice the tomatoes, jalapeños, cilantro, and shred some white Jack cheese. So, the trick is to prepare each individual tortilla chip meticulously with a spoon full of each ingredient. Start with the tortilla chip then spoon on the refried beans. Sprinkle on the chopped onions, tomatoes, jalapeños, cilantro, top with the chicken... and last goes the cheese. Line them up on a cookie sheet and broil. OMG.

Did you know the best nachos in America are made in El Paso, Texas? Oh, it is true. You see, I am an El Paso native and know first hand that The Tap Bar & Restaurant nachos are the best. The cool thing is in 2015 The Tap's nachos were voted as one of Yahoo's 21 Best Nachos in America. In my book, The Tap's nachos are number one, and I certainly did my best to emulate the recipe. They turned out great. Yay!

The photo below of those incredible beef nachos is courtesy of The Tap, and my good friend Charlene Soule. Last week, I visited El Paso with International Food Bloggers Conference. Unfortunately, The Tap was closed during spring break. Charlene gives her employees vacation during spring break to enjoy time with their families. Since I could not take my food blogger buddies over to The Tap for a beer and their famous nachos, I took a stab at making them myself. I do have to say, my impromptu homemade chicken nachos came out delish.

At moment, I work and reside in Houston, Texas. However, one day I will return back home to live in the sun city. In the meantime, I visit El Paso occasionally especially at Christmas time. Every other trip, I do stop by to visit my childhood friend Charlene Soule who manages The Tap. Charlene and I both graduated from Loretto Academy.

In May, I'll be back in El Paso for our Loretto Alumnae Reunion party at the historic Hotel Paso Del Norte on the 10th floor El Mirador. Charlene and I will be sipping 1912 craft cocktails; called the 1912 cocktail for the actual year the hotel was built.