I love St. Patrick’s Day!  It has special meaning in our family.  It is not only part of our Irish heritage, but also our wedding anniversary. This year we celebrate 8 years married, 13 years together as a couple. Yesterday we celebrated our anniversary by going out as a family for a late lunch in one of the places it all started for us. The first dinner the future hubby and I shared together took place at Dunleavy’s Irish Bar and Restaurant in Hainesport, NJ.  Their website describes their place as “American classics served in a cozy, 100 year-old real log cabin. All in the heart of South Jersey.” and it is all that and more! We sat at the 1st booth by the door.  It was the first time I had ever been,  for my husband it was a place his family had gone to for years, and a place where his parents frequented.  He had the Hainesport Burger and I had sweet sausage and linguine.  The rest is history…

This weekend they are featuring live bands playing Irish music and feature a menu with genuine Irish fare.  Since we travel as a family we prefer to go out before the evening rush. Things tend to be more family friendly right before the official celebration begins.  Our daughter behaved wonderfully and enjoyed soaking in all the stained glass and “‘other” items adorning the walls of the log cabin.  They feature a free kids meal with the purchase of any adult entrée.

One of the items on the appetizer menu is so wonderful we make it at home every St Patrick’s Day.  I wanted to share my DIY version of the recipe.  If you are ever in the Southern New Jersey area stop by for a drink and a bite to eat and try the original.  You won’t be disappointed!

How To Make Irish Nachos:

Ingredients:

Waffle Fries

Shredded Cheese

Ground Beef

Sour Cream

Pre-Cooked Bacon (Not Pictured)

Chives (Not Pictured Optional)

Pre heat oven to 375 degrees. Drizzle a bit of Olive Oil in the baking dish.  Line the dish with a layer of frozen waffle fries.

Brown the ground beef in a pan on the stove top.  Drain the grease from the meat and mix the crumbled pre-cooked bacon and beef together. Sprinkle on top of the fries, along with the shredded cheese.

Repeat layering of fries, meat and cheese.  Top off the dish with more cheese, sour cream and a sprinkle of dried chives (optional to taste) Bake in the oven for about 60 minute or until prefered fry crispness occurs.