Welcome back to Friday Night Nachos, where we bring you an original nacho recipe every week of the NFL season—and talk a little football trash on the side. Because not everybody likes your favorite team. You hear that Bears fans?
On Sunday night, the Dallas Cowboys will take on the New Orleans Saints in the Big Easy. And man, is it gonna be a downer.
The Saints are 0-3 so far this season, with quarterback Drew "Breesus" Brees expected to return after injuring his shoulder. That's hopeful news for them, but...we talked about the Saints last week. If you're all about NOLA, geaux (see what I did there?) re-read that piece and make yourself some spicy crab nachos.
No, today I'm thinking of the 'Boys. I lived in Texas for eight years, some of my best friends bleed blue, staring bewildered at TVs each season as their otherwise decent QB Tony Romo somehow manages to choke—game after game after game.
And this week? They don't even have that to look forward to.
Romo's out with a broken collarbone, maybe for the season. And this is only the latest blow to the Cowboys: star wide receiver Dez Bryant is out for foot surgery, and several other players are out with injuries from ankle sprains to concussions. It's gonna be a rough road on Sunday.
But at least there will be nachos.
How to Make Cowboy Blues Nachos
Because I figured my Texas buddies could use some old fashioned comfort food, this week's nachos are an ode to that old Tex-Mex staple, the crunchy beef taco. Only this taco is a nacho. On blue corn chips. Blue for the Cowboys, blue for sadness.
Start by making some taco meat—I like the chipotle beef from this recipe by Homesick Texan Liza Fain. (Fain's from Houston, but I doubt she'll mind her neighbors to the north soothing their souls with her creations.) Sprinkle generously with cheddar cheese; the more nervous you are for Sunday's game, the more cheese you can go ahead and add. Bake according to our Ultimate Nachos method.
Garnish with shredded lettuce, diced tomato, and a generous wallop of sour cream. And then, because Texans like it spicy, drizzle with Cholula and our creamy jalapeno salsa. And chin up, guys! At least you've won a couple games—that's more than the Saints can say.
