Buffalo Fries!

 

 

I like most anything with the flavor of Buffalo hot sauce on it...wings, shrimp, chicken tenders, so why not fries?   I thought it might be a good idea so I came up with this recipe for them.  It worked well.  These are not burn your mouth up hot, but they are pretty spicy!  Here is what you will need:

 

3-4 large baking potatoes, peeled and cut in long sticks or wedges

3 Tbs. butter, melted

1/2 cup Buffalo hot sauce (I used Texas Pete)

1 Tbs. dry Ranch dressing mix

Cajun seasoning (I used Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning)

salt

black pepper

ranch dressing

blue cheese dressing

 

I a large mixing bowl, combine the butter, hot sauce, and dry Ranch dressing mix until combined.  Place the potato wedges in the bowl and toss to coat all sides well.  Let them sit for a bit to absorb the sauce a little.

 

Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.  Spray well with nonstick spray or brush with oil.  Place the potato wedges on the baking sheet in a single layer leaving room between the pieces so they cook well. Sprinkle lightly with the Cajun seasoning, if you want to kick them up. It has red pepper in it, so go easy with it.  If you want a milder flavor just sprinkle with salt and pepper.

 Place in a 425 degree oven.  Bake for 20 minutes.  Turn each fry and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes or until done.

 

Place on a serving plate and serve with ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing for dipping! 





Jalapeno Popper Dip!

If you love the taste of jalapeno poppers, you will definitely love this dip.  Actually, even if you wouldn't normally eat a jalapeno popper, like my husband, you will like this dip.  I didn't think he would eat it, since anything with jalapeno doesn't usually fly with him, but I withheld the name until he tried and he had to admit he liked it.   The other good thing about this dip is that it's so much easier to prepare than the actual poppers are and it serves more people for a party!  This will make an excellent Super Bowl dip! 

There are recipes for this all over Pinterest and food blogs it seems, but every one is a little different.  Mine is a mixture of my own preferences. 

  Here is what you will need: 

2 (8 oz. ) pkgs. cream cheese, softened

1 cup mayonnaise

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese or cheddar/Monterrey Jack blend

1/3 cup pickled jalapeno rings, chopped fine (can use fresh jalapeno, but I prefer the pickled in this)

1/3 cup green onion, chopped including some of the green blades

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. Tabasco sauce (optional according to how much heat you like)

7-8 slices bacon cooked and crumbled

4 Tbs. butter, melted

1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed

Blend the cream cheese and mayonnaise until smooth.  Add 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese, the shredded cheddar, jalapenos, green onion, garlic powder, and Tabasco if using. 

Spread this mixture in a deep pie plate or quiche type dish.

Sprinkle the cooked bacon over the top.

Combine the melted butter, crushed Ritz crackers, and the other 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese and sprinkle over the top.  Place in a 350 degree oven and bake for 30 - 35 minutes. 

Serve hot with crackers or tortilla chips!  We like it with Frito Scoops!





Bacon Wrapped Smokies!

 

These "Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies" are delicious little bites of pork wrapped in pork, sprinkled with sugar!  How could they not be good!   This is an easy  party food that would be great  on your Super Bowl menu or for any other type of gathering where finger foods are served!   These go over a lot like the little 'Pigs in the Blanket', no matter how many I make, there are never any left over!   They are a bit addictive!   Here is what you will need for these: 

4 Tbs. butter, melted

2 cups brown sugar, divided

2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

dash of hot sauce (optional)

1 lb. bacon, slices cut in thirds

1lb. package Little Smokies sausages (you can use all beef if you prefer)

Preheat oven to 375.

In a bowl, mix the melted butter, 1 cup of the brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce (if you are using it).

Cut each slice of bacon in thirds and wrap a piece around each sausage.  You can secure with a toothpick, but you don't have to.  It does make them easy to serve at a party, if you are serving finger foods!

 Place on a foil lined cookie sheet or 9"x13" baking pan.  I like to use Reynold's nonstick foil for this, because it's sort of sticky.

Pour the brown sugar and butter mixture over all.   Sprinkle the top of each one with the rest of the other cup of dry brown sugar. 

Place in the oven for 20 - 25 minutes or until the bacon is starting to crisp.  

Spoon some of the sauce back up over each one before placing them on a serving plate!