Buffalo Chicken Dip!

I may have stated that "Cheesy Potato Casserole" is my favorite, but "Buffalo Chicken Dip" is right up there with it! :) First, I have a confession to make! I am a BUFFALO LOVER No, I do not live home home on the range, but I love buffalo flavored dishes. I love buffalo sauce, buffalo wild wings, and of course the new "Blazin' Buffalo Pringles." If you haven't tried them, they taste like BWW in a chip! It is actually kind of impressive.

There are so many ways to make this recipe. You could use real chicken, put it in the oven and all that jazz. However, this is simple (great for parties) and you can use the stove or crock pot. 

Ingredients:

3 cans of chicken (10 oz)

2 boxes of cream cheese (8 oz)

3/4 cup buffalo sauce (Frank's Buffalo Wing Sauce is the best)

1/4 cup ranch dressing (some may prefer Blue Cheese)

1 3/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (1 bag)
Seasoning (I shake a little in here and there) 

First, open all the cans of chicken and put them in a pot/skillet on the stove or the crock pot. Then, add the Frank's Buffalo Sauce. Cover all the chicken with the sauce. Then, add the softened cream cheese. You may want to microwave some of the cream cheese in another bowl before hand to make it easier to stir in. (Do not put the cream cheese in the microwave in the foil... you may see sparks and your garbage disposal may start going off if connected to the same outlet... hmmm maybe I know from experience). Then add the shredded cheese. Keep stirring until the cheese is completely melted, then add the ranch dressing. You may want to add more/less ranch and buffalo sauce depending on how hot your want your dip. The ratios given are for a little zest, but not too blazin'. Remove from the stove and enjoy! :)

You can eat it with tortilla chips or Fritos. Again, I think these are great with Frito Scoops! You can also eat with with celery sticks. I dare you to make some for your next holiday party. 

Cheesy Potato Casserole!

This is my favorite ever! :) I got this recipe from the lovely Mrs. Julie Edwards. If you make this, I can guarantee it will be a favorite wherever you take it. If you want leftovers, don't take it to a potluck.

Ingredients: 
1 package of hash-browns (shredded or cubed)
1 stick of butter
16 oz. sour cream (1 tub)
4 cups shredded cheese (sharp cheddar is my favorite)
1 can cream of chicken soup.

First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Then, melt the butter in the microwave. Combine the melted butter, sour cream, soup, and cheese in a big bowl. Then, combine the frozen hash-browns to the mixture.

 
Spray a 9 by 13 pan and spread the mixture in the pan. You can top with cornflakes or anything else for a little crunch if you prefer. :) Sometimes I do half with cornflakes and half without. Put it in the oven for 1 hour! ENJOY!

Chili Chippy Dip!

This is a recipe that is soo easy and so delicious! It is great for any occasion. I personally like to make it when I am studying because it is quick, filling, and a great finger food. I can not take credit for this creation though! My boss gave it to me! It is so easy even kids can do it. :)


Ingredients:
1 box of cream cheese (8 oz)
1 can of chili (with beans)
3/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (half the bag)

First, you just need a plate. I use a Pyrex, glass, pie bowl (I am not quite sure what you call it.) Then, you spread the cream cheese on the plate, to make a nice bottom layer. Then, open the chili and spread it over the cream cheese and this will be the second layer. Then, sprinkle the shredded cheese on top. Then, pop it in the microwave until all the cheese is melted! You are done! :) You can eat it with tortilla chips or Fritos. I personally feel like "Frito Scoops" are the best.

This is what it looks like before the cheese is melted. :)

ENJOY!

Green Bean Casserole

I have always wanted to make green bean casserole, but I wanted it to be unlike the ordinary green bean casserole that everyone makes. Everyone makes the kind with the soup and the "French Onions" on top. This casserole is delicious! However, I wanted to try something slightly different and it was a success. I would alter a few things if I made it again. However, I think it is definitely worth sharing.

Ingredients:

1 lb. bag of frozen green beans (I got mine at Aldis!)
1 cup chopped onion
2 Tablespoons butter
2 Tablespoons flour
1 cup milk
3/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup sour cream (The healthy alternative to sour cream is "Greek Yogurt" if you are looking for a substitute. It is better than plain yogurt because it is much thicker and helps keep a similar texture.)
1 Tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups box stuffing

First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees before you get started. Then, put the green beans in a 9 by 13 pan. I use Pyrex glass pans and they work great. Before you put the green beans in the pan, you may want to rinse them off and make sure they are thawed.

Then, in a large skillet/pot you will start to sauté the onions in some melter butter. You will continue to do this until the onions are nice and soft! Then, add the flour in with the onions and butter. Then add the milk, and bring this mixture to a boil. Once it is brought to a boil add the cheese, sour cream, sugar, and salt. Continue to stir it until it is a nice thick cheese sauce. Then, pour the mixture over the green beans in the pan.


Then, you will top it with a layer of the stuffing. I tried the stuffing because I had never done it before. You can also top it with the "French Onions," corn flakes, or nothing. I personally like a little crunch with my green beans.

Then, you will just stick it in the oven for 25-30 minutes and take it out. ENJOY! you never thought you could make casserole from scratch! Now you can! :)

*I forgot to take a picture when it was done... but it was delicious looking with all crunchy brown stuffing on top.

Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies

Green cookies? Yes, because they look beautiful, festive, and as a young child I had a love for Dr. Seuess' "Green Eggs and Ham," so this year I will have green mint chocolate chip cookies!

*I can not take credit for this recipe. It was Betty Crocker's prize winning recipe in 2010. :) However, I take credit for making them! :)


Ingredients:
1 lb Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie mix (like $1. 50 at Walmart)
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
1/4 vanilla extract (it calls for mint, but you will get plenty of mint flavor with the other ingredients)
1 egg
6 drops green food coloring (try other colors... I see an art lesson coming on...)
1 cup creme de menthe baking chips (a.k.a. finely chopped Andes mints. If you buy the bag it is 2 cups)
1 cup semisweet chocolate chunks (If you buy the bag, you will only use half)

*Preheat oven to 350 degrees!

First, mix all of you ingredients together in a large bowl. Start with the cookie mix, egg, softened butter, food coloring, and extract. Then, fold in the baking chips and chocolate chunks. Then roll in small balls and place on cookie sheet.

You will bake them for 8-10 minutes. This is something that you will have to watch carefully. It is more difficult to tell if they are done because of the green color. Let them cool and then you are ready to serve!! :) Maybe serve them as "Grinch Goodies"?

Sausage Balls!

The holidays are coming upon us which means finger foods, fat, and sweets. I am hoping that my blog will keep up with these traditions and maybe add a few new ones. Many families have the tradition of making sausage balls. They are simple, quick, yummy, and delicious. They are great for family gatherings, holiday parties, quick snack, or brunch. Or, if you are like me, you can just make them and eat them for a Sunday afternoon snack while studying. 

Ingredients:

2 cups Bisquick (If you are healthy, use whole wheat, or make your own)

1 lb cheese (Most cheese comes in an 8 oz bag. So, you need to buy two!)

1 lb  ground pork sausage (This is one cylinder roll, for those that are unfamiliar)

First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Then, mix all your ingredients into a bowl. The goal is to get all the ingredients together in a large ball. This is easily done by kneading it together like dough. It may seem odd at first because their is not liquid to keep everything stuck together, but the sausage will not let you down!

Continue doing this until all the ingredients come together. It should look a little something like this...

Then, you will start rolling the mixture into small balls. They are about quarter-size spheres (sorry for the elementary math explanation). If you use the entire recipe it should make about 60 balls.

Bake for about 10 minutes, or until the sausage balls are golden brown. The cheese will be melted and the sausage will be cooked. Make sure they are done, no one wants a doughy sausage ball!

Homemade Bagel Bites

Forget those frozen bagel bites! Make your own, it is kind of the easiest thing since sliced bread! :)

Ingredients:
Mini Bagels
Shredded Mozzarella
Pepperoni (or other toppings)
Marinara sauce

Well, you preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Then, slice all of the bagels in half. Add sauce on top, then shredded cheese, then your toppings. It is that easy. Put in the oven for 10-15 minutes and you are done! :)

Cream of Mushroom Chicken

Alright, this was my first attempt at making the easy cream of mushroom soup with chicken and rice, but I did spice it up a bit. :)

Ingredients:
3 chicken breasts
1 can cream of mushroom
1 cup rice
1 cup water
1 tablespoon butter
Paprika
Pepper
Parsley
Bacon bits (optional)

First, you will preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Then, you will mix the rice, water, and cream of mushroom soup and place them in the bottom of a small cake pan or casserole dish. Then, you will place the raw chicken breast on top of the mixture and spread melted butter on top. Then, shake paprika, parsley, and pepper on the chicken, and top with bacon bits. Cover the pan and put it in the oven for 45 minutes. :) The chicken should come out nice and juicy and very yummy!!