Buffalo Chicken Nachos

We have been craving nachos lately and usually we just do our own individual plates where we toss on some cheese and throw it in the microwave. But we have really been wanting to make a big ol' pan in the oven all piled high and layered with yummy things. We finally made these buffalo chicken nachos and they were super good! In fact, the first pan was gone before I remembered to take a picture, so I had to take one of the second batch, which didn't cook as nicely. (Of course that would happen.) 

Ingredients:

3-4 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded

1/2 cup buffalo sauce (We found a recipe online and made our own, using Frank's Red Hot Sauce.)

Pepper Jack cheese, shredded or sliced

Jalapenos, sliced (We used the deli-sliced kind from the jar.)

Tortilla chips 

Directions:

Line baking pan with foil.

Lightly coat chicken with the buffalo sauce. Spread tortilla chips on pan, sprinkle on cheese, add chicken & cover with more cheese. Top with the jalapeno slices.

Broil in oven until cheese is melted. Watch closely so it doesn't burn. (Our second batch got a little crispy.)

Enjoy!

For a yummy variation try Nacho Cheese Doritos, tortilla chips with a hint of lime, or even Fritos!

Onion Veggie/Chip Dip

My mother-in-law gave me this amazing dip recipe, and it is seriously better than any store-bought dip you can find.  We originally made it for veggies, but then started eating it with Ruffles potato chips - WOAH!!  If you like that french onion chip dip, you will absolutely LOVE this!  We loved it so much we made it twice in one weekend.  Mmmmm!  :)

Ingredients:
1 cup sour cream
1 cup mayo
1 TBS onion flakes (dried, minced onions)
1 TBS parsley
1 tsp Beaumond (Spice Islands is the brand)
1/2 - 1 tsp dill weed

Mix all together, and let stand for at least 2 hours in the refrigerator.  (I thought it tasted even better the second day!)

Serve with fresh veggies or potato chips. 

Enjoy!

Reese's Popcorn Munch

I started making some of my Super Bowl treats already, so I don't have as much to do tomorrow. :)  This Reese's popcorn is something I have been wanting to try for awhile, and I decided this would be the perfect opportunity!

I made my boys stay out of it because "it's for tomorrow", but I had to try a little - just to make sure it was good. ;)

Yep.  It's good.  Very, very good! I think chocolate and peanut butter are my new favorite things on popcorn.  Yummy! Who knew?  Oh, you did?  Well thanks for telling me.  haha :)   

 

Recipe adapted from Inside BruCrew Life

Ingredients:

10 cups popped popcorn

1 1/2 cups Reese's Unwrapped Minis, chopped in half



2 cups Reese's Puffs cereal
1/2 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk)
1/2 cup Reese's peanut butter chips
2 tsp shortening, divided
1 cup Reese's Pieces candies

Directions:
Mix popcorn, mini cups and cereal  together and spread on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper.

In a microwave-safe bowl, combine 1 tsp shortening and chocolate chips.  Heat for 30 seconds and stir, continuing until melted and smooth.  Drizzle over popcorn mixture.

Sprinkle with Reese's Pieces candies.

Heat peanut butter chips the same way you did the chocolate chips, using the remaining 1 tsp of shortening.  Drizzle over popcorn.

Let sit in refrigerator for a few minutes until cooled and set.

Break into chunks, and enjoy!!

Bacon Cheeseburger Quesadillas

For some reason I have been craving hamburgers lately.  I am probably just craving the warmer weather and grilling outside.  (We were -17 degrees this morning!)
And because my grill is covered in 2 feet of snow, I was extremely excited when I came across this recipe for Bacon Cheeseburger Quesadillas!

 

They taste EXACTLY like hamburgers on the grill. One bite and my family was SOLD! haha :)  They are also low carb, and you can make them even healthier by using turkey bacon, ground turkey and low-fat cheese!

Recipe adapted from Plain Chicken
Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp chili powder
Tortillas
1 lb bacon, cooked and crumbled
shredded cheddar cheese

toppings:
shredded lettuce
pickles
tomatoes
onions
mustard
mayo
ketchup

Directions:
Brown beef in large skillet, drain fat.  Add in seasonings and set aside.  (I cooked my bacon in the oven while I was browning the beef - soooo easy!)

Spray a large griddle, or skillet and lightly cook both sides of tortillas.  Add meat, cheese and bacon on one half of the tortilla.  Cook a minute or so longer until cheese starts to melt.

Remove to a plate, and add any toppings you prefer. Fold tortilla over and cut into sections.

We did ours this way, because no one wanted cooked toppings - whatever. haha  (If you don't want lettuce, and don't mind warm pickles, etc., you can always fold the top over while you are still cooking it, until everything is nice and melty.)

Either way, it's delicious - and you don't even have to brave the elements! Brrrrr!

Enjoy!

Mexican Bean Dip

This bean dip is such a family favorite - it is our go-to recipe for all the family gatherings.  It is great for potlucks, football parties or just with dinner.  It is also very yummy as a leftover. :)

 

This is one of those recipes, that really doesn't have very exact measurements, you can add as much or as little as you like for your family.  (If you can see, only one half of this dip has serrano peppers, I don't think my 2 year-old would like a mouthful of fire!) haha

 

Ingredients:

8 oz cream cheese

1 can refried beans

salsa (I used about 1/2 cup)

shredded cheese (any kind would be delicious - I used cheddar)

diced jalapeno peppers, optional

chopped green onions, optional

 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 F.

 

Spread the cream cheese in the bottom of a casserole dish or pie plate.  (Sometimes we double the batch and make it in a 9x13 pan.)

 

Continue layering, with the beans and salsa.

 

Spread as much cheese as you would like on the top, then sprinkle chopped peppers and green onions on top.

 

Place dish in oven and bake until cheese is bubbly and melted.  You may have to broil it a little at the end.

  

 

Serve with chips as a dip, or as the little ones like it - wrap it in a tortilla.  It makes a yummy bean burrito!

 

Enjoy!

French dip sandwiches

I must give credit where credit is due. This is from Our Best Bites introduced to me by my friend Christa!  Everything I have ever tried of theirs is like heaven!  These are no exception!  My kids (even my picky eaters) loved them!  Super easy to make, hardly any prep and they make a great left over!

Ingredients:

1  2 1/2- 3lb. beef roast
2 Tbsp. olive oil
salt and pepper
2 1-ounce packages dry onion soup mix
2 c. water
2 cans beef broth
6-8 large buns
Swiss, provolone, or mozzarella cheese, shredded or sliced.

Directions:

Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat and rub roast with salt and pepper.
When oil is hot place roast carefully in pot and brown all sides. Put roast in slow cooker and sprinkle with onions soup mix. Pour water and beef broth over roast.

Cook on low for 8-10 hours   or    high for 4-5 and then low for 2-3 additional hours.

You will know when it is done when it falls apart with your fork.
Place meat in rolls open faced topped with cheese and broil until cheese is melted. (watch carefully so they don't burn)

Ladle juices into small cups for dipping!

YUM! 

Spicy Chicken Bites

This is another recipe I made with my pre-cooked and shredded chicken.

These are so good!  Chicken, hot sauce, and cream cheese all rolled together with a Corn Flake crust.  Yummo!  They have just enough kick to them, but you could go flamin' hot if you're super adventurous like that. I thought they were perfect.

We had these as our main dish, but I'm thinking I might be making these for our next Super Bowl party.  They would be an amazing appetizer!

I will admit I had some troubles getting the balls to stay formed - and they were a little messy!  I might try this as a casserole someday.  I'll just layer the mixture in a casserole dish, and sprinkle the Corn Flakes on top.  What do ya think?

Ingredients:
3 cups cooked, shredded chicken
1/4 cup Frank's Hot Sauce (add more if you like it way spicy!)
3 1/2 oz cream cheese, softened
1 3/4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup green onions, chopped
1 cup flour
4 eggs, lightly beaten
3 - 4 cups Corn Flakes cereal, crushed



Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 F.  Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. (I used foil, and then sprayed it with cooking spray.)

In a large bowl, combine chicken, hot sauce, both cheeses and green onions.  Form into large balls and place onto a separate baking sheet.

Place flour, eggs, and Corn Flakes in 3 separate dishes.  Dip each chicken ball into the flour, then the eggs and last the Corn Flakes. 

Place onto prepared baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes.

Great plain or with ranch dressing - Enjoy!

Super Bowl Party Food Ideas

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?  (I know, I know....lame.) haha  Seriously, the only reason I even watch the Super Bowl is for the food, and the commercials.  Do you feel the same?

Well, even though I am completely outnumbered by men in my house, I am a good sport - and we have made a nice tradition of having our own little Super Bowl party.  (I think my boys really just like the fact that they get to eat in front of the tv - which we never do.) haha

Here for your commercial football-watching pleasure is a compilation of our favorite appetizers and snack foods:

 Pepperoni Pizza Puffs

 Baked Pizza Dip

Restaurant-Style Guacamole

 Bacon Cheese Ball

Wingers Sticky Fingers

 Queso Dip

 Texas Caviar

Salsa

 Pepperoni Rolls

Barbecue Chicken Pizza

Chocolate Covered Apple Bites

 

 Chocolate-Strawberry Shish Kabobs

Peanut Butter Cheese Ball

 

 Caramel Heavenlies

Cake Cookies

 

Thanks for stopping by - hopefully you'll find at least one good recipe on here! haha :) Well, feel free to look around in case we missed anything.

 

Enjoy!

 

SLOPPY BUFFALO JOES

I got this from Rachael Ray. Yeah, I know, Manwich is alot easier - but this tastes way better and it's spicy! I also used those chewy rolls from Sam's Club. Yum!

Ingredients:
1 TBS olive oil
1 lb ground turkey (I used beef)
1 carrot, diced
1 celery stalk, diced
1/2 onion, diced
1 garlic clove, diced
salt & freshly ground black pepper
1 TBS red wine vinegar
1 TBS brown sugar
1/2 TBS Worcestershire sauce
1/4 c hot sauce (Frank's Red Hot)
1/2 c tomato sauce
1/2 c chicken stock

Heat a large skillet with oil over med-high heat. Add meat, cook for 5 min. Add in carrots, celery, onions & garlic. Season with salt & pepper - cook 7-8 minutes more.

In a bowl, combine vinegar, sugar, Worsh. sauce, hot sauce,tomato sauce & stock. Pour into the pan & stir to combine. Simmer a few more minutes. Pile onto buns.

(You could also double this recipe and freeze half for another time.)