Thursday, May 5, 2016

Buffalo Chicken Dip

The Best Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe

Ingredients: (what you will need for the best buffalo chicken dip recipe):

·         1 pound of boneless skinless chicken breast (or approx 2-3 large chicken breasts)
·         1 cup of ranch dressing ( Hidden Valley, Kraft, or Wishbone)
·         1 cup of Franks Original Red Hot (do not substitute this please)
·         1 8 oz block of cream cheese (do not use fat free, 1/3rd less fat OK)
·         1 package of fancy shredded sharp cheddar cheese (2 cups)
  •     Green onions (optional)
You will also need the following items to dip into the best buffalo chicken dip... Bite size tortilla chips, celery, wheat thins, Triscuits or a combination of all of them.

Here are your step by step instructions:
  • Boil your chicken breasts on the stove in a medium to large sauce pan, on medium heat about 30 to 45 minutes or until cooked all the way through and pre heat your oven to 350 F.
  • While the chicken is boiling cut the cold cream cheese into cubes and place them into an 11.5" x 8" x 2" Pyrex style baking dish lightly misted with buttered flavor Pam.
  • Evenly sprinkle the fancy shredded cheese on top of the cream cheese cubes.
  •  Pour the 1 cup of ranch and the 1 cup of Franks Red Hot on top of the cheesy mixture and place the dish into the oven uncovered for 7 to 10 minutes.  You will want to stir the mixture after about 7 to 10 minutes and put it back in the oven and bake an additional 7 to 10 minutes and stir until mixture and cream cheese is well mixed together.
  • While the mixture is baking and your chicken is done boiling you will want to shred your chicken. The best way to do this is by putting the pan into the sink and running cold water over the chicken to speed up the process, once cooled you may hand shred the chicken into a bowl.
  • After the cheesy mixture is done baking and mixed together well you may now add the chicken, simply pour the chicken on top of the mixture, carefully stir the mixture well and cover with aluminum foil and bake an additional 20 to 30 minutes.
  • Once baked you can carefully pour into your serving bowl, garnish with green onion and celery and enjoy!

Friday, February 5, 2016

Crockpot Beef

I modified this recipe from the short rib recipe I posted a long time ago.  It is a new family favorite.

2-3 lbs beef (chuck, bottom round, or brisket all work)
4 onions roughly chopped
1 bag baby carrots
3 stalks celery, chopped
3-4 cloves garlic, chopped or garlic paste
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup dry red wine (merlot or cabernet)
2 cups beef broth or stock
3-4 tablespoons flour

I sometimes do this when the beef is still frozen - doesn't seem to matter.

Salt and pepper the beef.  Put all vegetables (including garlic) in bottom of slow cooker/crock pot. Place beef on top of the veggies. Pour wine and broth over top of beef. I usually cook it on high for an hour or two and then switch to low and cook for approximately 6-8 hours. Remove the beef from the pot, then I remove all the veggies and strain the broth. Put the broth into a small pot and whisk in the flour until the sauce thickens. I pour the sauce over the beef and put it back into the slow cooker on warm until everyone is ready to eat. The meat is usually falling apart. I tend to discard all the veggies and serve with other side dishes like mashed potatoes and green beans or whatever your family likes best.

Enjoy!