!!!!!!!
Matt and I ventured out to the grocery store to stock up for the week and came home a nacho buffet.
Los chips –
[Trader Joe’s veggie + flax tortilla chips. I didn’t realize the red ones were beet and ONION until I realized that they always left a funny taste in my mouth. Notice that Matt got all the red ones on his nacho plate! Won’t buy these again..]
The chips were placed on a baking sheet and topped with some grass-fed local beef that was browned with cumin, chili powder, garlic powder and salt with some red bell pepper
Next came cheese and pickled jalapeno
Really delicious sharp cheddar from Whole Foods, hand grated. I will never buy just any ole cheese again – the good stuff has so much flavor!
5-8 minutes in a 400* oven and we have meltage!
Tonight’s toppings included plain yogurt and mashed avocado spiked with lemon, cumin, chili powder and salt
~Interlude to talk about the yogurt!~
I have fallen in love with Whole Foods organic low-fat yogurt. No tang, all cream!!
I have never been a fan of liquidy yogurts, which is one of the main reasons why I love greek yogurt. I’ve strained my plain yogurt before, but in the past I’ve let it strain for too long, make it more like cheese than greek yogurt, which made it not-so-edible. Tonight I strained it – but for just an hour. BINGO!!! Perfect texture, perfect taste, perfect price!
I wish I could say that I’m going to use the whey in smoothies and muffins, but to be frank, whey has always grossed me out (I always pour it off the top of my yogurt) so I did not save it.
So back to the nachos!!
We debated how we were going to get them from pan to plate and considered just eating them family style on the dining room table!! But they ended up being very easy to transplant a few at a time – into a mountain!
We declared this the best dinner we’ve had in ages!
For dessert, we watched the movie The Man from Snowy River. Natalia, you’re in trouble for this recommendation! Ha, not really : ) She recommended the movie a while back when I requested names of good westerns. This movie was rugged and western (although it took place in Australia), but there were moments when we laughed out loud at the direction! Huge horse’s eyeballs and horror film music. But we did enjoy the movie 
Also, the sea salt dark chocolate we shared during the film!
Tomorrow is a busy one already, and I’m debating going running right when I wake up. Gasp! I haven’t done that since it was 100 degrees out or I was on vacation!
{ 79 comments… read them below or add one }
Dinner looks awesome and fun!
I love working out right when I wake up, otherwise it’s likely to not happen!
Looks tasty! I’ve been craving Mexican – I think its the warm-ish weather.
I’m in the same boat with a morning run tomorrow. Already talking myself into it… and back out… and back in…
Mmmn, those do look tasty!
You are using paper towels there for straining, and not cheesecloth, correct? And, if so, do any paper towl bits get into your yogurt or does the paper not get degraded enough for that worry?
Yes, papertowels. And it was fine! But I think Bounty, which is supposed to hold up spaghetti, no?!
Oh my gosh, that dinner looks out of this world!
I crave nachos incessantly. This will be what happens next time instead of heading to BJs, especially since I recently learned that BJs nachos are 1700 calories. Holy nacho calorie volcano.
I looove nachos!
Check out my nacho blog!
Yum! Now I want nachos
Looks delicious & colorful 
I haven’t had nachos in forever. Those look so amazing.
I’ve only strained yogurt once. It shrunk so much! As long as I can get Greek from Costco, I won’t have to strain. Love those TJ’s chips, including the red ones
Mmmm I LOVE yogurt on nachos!!
Oh God I am addicted nachos…and pizza. Pretty much anything with cheese and sauce I guess. Have you seen “True Grit” – it’s still recent but I hear it’s funny and it’s nominated for a bunch of awards. I haven’t seen it yet – just heresay (plus Matt Damon’s in it ; ).
Why do you strain your yogurt?
Good luck with your busy day! I know what you mean. I stress just thinking about it. Do you ever feel that your “not working” though since you blog a few times a day, etc? Or do you just love it?
That does look like an awesome dinner! I love Greek yogurt instead of sour cream
Nachos are one of my favorite foods! Looks like you had a delicious day of making many types of food
DInner looks great, love having a healthier version of nachos for a casual meal! The colorful chips are so fun too.
Maybe instead of straining your own yogurt, next time you grab some plain Chobani
Chobani isn’t organic though!
I love those chips. I usually use baked blue corn chips for my nachos. I love nachos, fun for a Friday and Saturday night also.
Those nachos looks awesome!!
We make a lot of nachos in our kitchen – my husband is obsessed! Truly his favorite food, and he’s a master- making his own corn tortillas and chips. Jalapenos are key!
I’ll be running 1st thing in the morning, too!
Oh those look so good! i always forget to bake, when i make them!
Oh gosh, those nachos look amazing! I’ve never seen tortilla chips like that in Canberra!
oh yumo – love nachos!
Oh lord — we had tacos for lunch and now I wish I had transformed them into nachos instead! These look so good.
Pickled jalapenos — did you make them yourself?
Nope, from a jar
Great call on dinner. Nachos are so good – homemade ones are even better! Enjoy your evening & your run tomorrow morning if you do it!
So dumb question, but since straining concentrates the yogurt, does it increase the protein by any significant amount?
I’m not really sure of the nutr. breakdown of whey vs. casein so I don’t know the answer to that. But since greek yogurt is strained, it wouldn’t surprise me!
Nacho’s have always been my weakness. Nice blog. I look forward to following. Oh those nacho’s…I am craving them now.
I never thought of reusing the whey, but I do agree with you. It grosses me out, too, and I also always pour it off the top of my yogurt. Though, I do like to over-strain my yogurt. I may need to do this with my recent purchase of “European style” yogurt. It’s high in protein as is (14 g per cup), but it’s just as thin as normal yogurt, and I miss the thickness.
Though I’ll probably never use it as a sour cream sub, mostly because I never liked sour cream.
Those nachos look fantastic, and I’m with you on the whey – I always pour it off of my yogurt.
Do it…LIVE a little and run right when you get up
I love tasty/healthy nachos for dinner- great idea, Kath!!
Those nachos look AMAZING!! That’s definitely going to be on the menu for dinner sometime this week!
Wow that looks wonderful!! I’m soooo craving Mexican food right now!
I never would have thought to put greek yougurt on pizza but because I love both ingredients, it makes sense. Will have to try that combo.
My go-to nacho cheese is Tillamook Sharp Cheddar. It is so good! It’s not organic but it is RSBT free. I highly recommend it.
Glad you found yogurt you love! And the straining is always a great tip. Making greek yogurt at home, basically
Thanks for the movie info. I never see movies anymore. I have a blog. lol. It seems to suck me in
And the nachos. Holy yum!
Enjoy your early run if it happens!
Yum! I did nachos for dinner a few months ago (wow, has it been that long?) and they were a hit! I didn’t bake them, though – I created my toppings in one of my cast iron skillets. Here’s the recipe if you’re interested – http://www.thestrengthoffaith.com/2010/09/dinner-nachos.html. If you love rotel, you’ll love it!
I love how colorful those chips are! I haven’t ever tried straining my yogurt. I like Greek-style because of the protein content and am not sure if straining regular yogurt would result in a higher protein concentration or not. If not, I’m content to eat it as-is. If so, then I will go right ahead and try straining it!
I love those nachos!!! Those are my favorite movie time snack.
Love those chips from TJ’s!! Those nachos look incredible!!
Haha, The Man from Snowy River? I was just a kid (in Australia) when that movie came out and have seen it many times! I was totally into horses then. It’s quite funny looking back at the 80′s classic… well it was in Australia! Like you say the direction and some of the comedic aspects are hilarious now! Did you know there is a sequel? The Man from Snowy River II
The Man from Snowy River!! Such an old classic! Who would’ve thought you could get a whole movie based on an old poem (look up Banjo Paterson’s poem of the same name as the movie!) If you like that, try the Man from Ironbark poem from the same poet!! Sorry, just trying to convert you to our Aussie way (though I don’t think they teach Paterson anymore!) I’m impressed to see 2 of my fav blogs have featured Australia in the past week (crunches for cupcakes also).
Anyway, keep up the great blog, I love it!!
I must say your nachos to look incredibly enticingly delicious! And the cheese looks super duper good too!
I love how you said you watched a movie for dessert
I don’t do nachos often enough. They are such a fun relaxing meal…I need to do that soon.
nachos look great!
I love homemade nachos!
Nachos are such a fun meal! It’s like eating a messy, deconstructed taco. Delicious.
Oh my. I have never had a nacho craving before – ever in my life – but now I do.
That looks amazing! I bet my husband would love this dinner. And, I love the Man from Snowy River! It is such a guilty pleasure and sort of exists in its own genre!
Nachos make the BEST dinner. I haven’t made nachos in ages but you’re making me crave them now.
Ah, The Man From Snowy River. One of our movie theaters replayed it a few years after it came out during the summer (one of those keep the kids entertained while school’s out kind of deals). My parents took me and my sister to watch it. I have to say, on the big screen, to a 5 year old, this movie was the coolest. When Jim’s riding his horse straight down the mountainside…YIKES!
BEST SCENE EVER. Just had to say it…
That is my cats favorite yogurt, too
I make taco salads for us for dinner and my husband gobbles them up – I serve them to him with chips.
I would declare that the best dinner too!! I love nacho platters!
Boo about the chips that tasted like beets and onions, at least Matt took them ; ) I dont think I would like that flavor either, but the colorful chips look so pretty!
Have a great day! I hope you get that long run in!!!
<3 xoxo
Super great western… The Missing with Tommy Lee Jones and Cate Blanchett. Amazing movie.
I agree – I don’t like a lot of Westerns, but that one was really compelling.
Good luck on your run (if you decide to go…)!
Those nachos look BOMB.
Have a great day!
Oh, my goodness, Kath. Those look amazing!
I love making nachos – I used to mix salsa in with beef and then top the chips. Very delicious!
I would love to try it again using lentils instead of ground beef…
hello!
i just discover your blog (its too late isnt it?hehe)
and YOUR BLOG IS AMAZING! those foods looks nice ><
i am super duper woooper tempted to try out some recipes from you!
and cant wait to try! hehe
anyway, have a nice day! great that i found your blog!
cheers!
Welcome!!
Those nachos look tasty AND pretty!
I’ve never strained my own yogurt, I should give it a try.
Yum! I love nachos! These look fantastic!
homemade nachos are a hit in my home!
why pickled jalapenos and not fresh ones?
Convenience, mildness
I strain my regular plan yogurt all the time to make it thicker! I figure it is cheaper than buying Greek yogurt.
Right up Nach Lindsay’s alley!
Those chips look beautiful! I bet I would love the beet and onion flavor!
The nachos look great, but I was surprised to not see any SALSA! Salsa is a must topping for my nachos.
Ahhh haha I love your review!! It’s totally “one of those” movies but it’s a good homey classic, you have to admit. The horror music at the cliff scene with Jessica? Yea. Let’s just say that’s not the best…
No tang yogurt? I’ll definitely being trying 365.
I LOVE NACHOS.
but they’re always soooo greasy and unhealthy and bleh.
these ones on the other hand….look amazing and like the type of food i wouldn’t feel too guilty eating
im used to pm. workouts…im just not 100% right when i wake up..it always takes at least an hour to get the blood and (and brain) pumping
btw. this is the first time i’ve seen your blog!! i love it. really. keep it up!
welcome!
Wow those nachos do look super tasty!
Nachos rule. And homemade nachos are the best because you can control the ingredients and add the things you like best! We have nachos for dinner whenever there’s a big sports game on…it’s how my husband tempts me into tolerating football
MAN I wanted nachos for dinner last week… after seeing this, now I absolutely MUST have them! Looks great!
YUM!!! Those nachos are mouth-watering!
I remember loving The Man From Snowy River when I was a kid, but I haven’t seen it in years. May have to try and find a copy for a re-watch.