Holiday Potluck #4 - Chicken Wing Dip

A big hit on game days - play with the ingredients to suit your tastes - bleu cheese instead of ranch dressing, jack instead of cheddar, etc., just keep the proportions about the same:


Chicken Wing Dip

Ingredients

* 2 chicken breast halves, cooked and shredded (canned chicken is ok too)

* 8 ounces cream cheese, softened

* 3/4 cup buffalo wing sauce or Red Hot sauce (more if you like it spicy)

* 3/4 cup ranch dressing (or bleu cheese, or half ranch and half bleu)

* 1-1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar or cheese blend

Directions

Mix ingredients together with fork, place in a large, microwave-safe bowl and heat on medium-high (70% power), in one minute increments, until heated through, smooth, and creamy. Place in a crock pot or fondue pot on low to keep warm. Serve with celery cut in one inch pieces, tortilla chips or even better, toasted cocktail bread rounds or bagel chips.

For you low-carbers trying to fulfill your upcoming New Year's Resolution while enjoying the playoffs, this is actually an Atkins-friendly experience if eaten with celery (2 g. carbs per large stalk).

Holiday Potluck #3: Broccoli Casserole

From the family kitchen...a holiday staple!

Ingredients:

1 large bag frozen broccoli florets

1 small can water chestnuts (optional)

1 8 oz. bag (or equivalent) shredded cheddar cheese (be generous!)

1/2 c. mayo (as above - more is ok, just don't use Miracle Whip!)

1 can cream of mushroom (or broc) soup

1 tube Ritz crackers, crushed fine

small bag or about 1/3 c. slivered almonds

Instructions:

1. Spread broccoli into bottom of casserole dish (mix in chestnuts, too, if used)

2. Use a fork to mix together mayo and soup until well-incorporated

3. Quickly add crushed crackers (tip: crush while still in unopened tube using rolling pin or serving spoon to gently whack into submission) and fold in shredded cheese

4. Spread mixture over top of broccoli with rubber spatula, covering as completely as possible

5. Sprinkle almonds over top

6. Bake 30 minutes at 375*, or until topping is lightly browned around edges and slightly bubbly throughout surface.

This family standard is great with any holiday meal (turkey, ham) and is a huge favorite with guests. Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Holiday Blog Potluck Entry #2

The Most Excellent Larry's Sweet Potatoes:

This is a recipe I dug out of a Reader's Digest cookbook called "Cook Now, Serve Later". It's a hit at the family Christmas dinner, but I'm sure it'll work jes' fine for Turkey Day.

ORANGE-PRALINE SWEET POTATOES

2-1/2 lbs SP's, peeled, quartered and boiled until tender.

1/3 c. OJ1 tsp orange rind, grated

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp gnd ginger

1/4 tsp black pepper

5 Tbsp butter or margarine

1 egg

1/2 c brown sugar

1/2 tsp grd cinnamon

1/2 c chopped pecans

(1) Preheat oven to 375. In a large bowl, mash the SP's. Add the OJ, rind, salt, ginger, pepper, 2 Tbsp butter and egg. Beat with electric mixer until smooth. Spooon potatoes into a buttered, shallow, 1-1/2 qt casserole or 10-inch quiche pan, smoothing the top.

*NOTE* I have never ever used a quiche pan, just so you know!!
[Yahsureyoubetcha, Larry... ;-) --Ed.]

(2) In a small saucepan, combine remaining 3 Tbsp of butter, sugar and cinnamon. Ove low heat, cook uncovered until blended. Spread the mixture on top of potatoes and sprinkle with the pecans.

*NOTE 2* I always use more pecans than 1/2 c because I can. I like to have pretty good coverage.

*NOTE 3* At this point the potatoes can be refrigerated , tightly covered, for up to 24 hours, if so desired

(3) Bake covered for 15 minutes. Uncover and bake another 15 minutes or until heated through.

Serves 6 - I double this for the holidays, and if you do, just use a bigger pan. I usually use a 13x 9 x 2 glass casserole dish.

Holiday Blog Potluck!

You can do it! Post your favorite recipe in the combox and I'll re-post it with a backlink to your blog. Let's all try something new this year!