Bacon-Cheese Fries

 

  These fries are so good. They are cheesy and bacony and so very, very yummy.

You will need a deep fryer or deep pan filled with oil.

Heat the oil to 350 degrees F.

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.

Ingredients:

3 unpeeled medium size russet potatoes

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese

3 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

Clean the potatoes, but don't peel. Slice them into thick fries. You should get 12-15 slices per potato. Maybe more, if you have bigger potatoes.

Fry the fries in the hot oil. To make sure they get crisp, you fry them for about a minute and remove from oil and drain. Let cool for about 10 minutes. Now, fry them in the oil for another 5 minutes. They will be a light golden brown color.

Drain them.

Put them on a baking sheet.

Sprinkle the cheese and bacon bits over the fries.

Bake in the preheated oven for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Serve with ranch dressing if you like.

This will feed about 4 as an appetizer. If you want to make more just slice up an extra potato, cook and extra slice of bacon, and add a little more cheese.

So good!

Spicy Black Bean Dip

This is a very flavorful dip. It is not too spicy, but it does have a slight kick.

But the longer it sits it the fridge, the less the kick there is.

Ingredients for step one:

2 cups black beans

6 cups or more water

1 medium onion, chopped

1 Tbs. garlic powder

2 Tbs. salt

Put all the ingredients in a large pot and cook on a simmer for 2-3 hours until beans are tender.

Ingredients for finishing the dip:

1 jalapeno pepper, minced

1 small onion, chopped

1 Tbs. fresh chopped garlic

1 cup sour cream

1 tsp. cumin

When beans are tender, add to the bowl of a food processor or jar of a blender. Leave liquid behind. Puree the beans. Add the rest of the ingredients and puree until smooth.

You may need to scrape down the sides a few times.

Taste and add salt and pepper if you think it needs it.

Tastes great, but you may want to chill before serving.

If you want it spicier, add more than one pepper.

Cajun Crab Spread

This can be made as a mold by lining a bowl with plastic wrap and putting the spread in and chill for a few hours. Place a plate over the bowl and invert and remove plastic.
I just like to put it in a bowl and serve it that way.


Ingredients:

2- 8 oz packages cream cheese, softened
2 Tablespoons sour cream
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper, also known as cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon ground thyme
1 cup cooked crab meat- tastes fine with imitation crab
1/4 cup finely chopped green pepper

Mix the cream cheese, sour cream, and spices until well blended. Add the crab and green pepper.
Put into serving dish or a mold that you are using. Refrigerate for three hours for flavors to meld.
Serve with your favorite crackers.
Makes 3 cups.

Bacon Smokies

Good stuff, unless you are on a diet.

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Ingredients:

About 3/4 pound bacon- Don't use thick cut for these.
14-16 oz package little smokies
3/4 cup brown sugar
toothpicks

Take out the bacon and cut the slices into thirds. Wrap each smokie with a slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick.
Place on a baking sheet with sides and sprinkle brown sugar over all the smokies.
Bake for 40 minutes until the sugar is bubbling.
Serve.
Lining the baking sheet with foil will help with cleanup.

Chicken Enchilada Dip

This dip is to die for. Serve it with tortilla chips and it tastes just like you are eating chicken enchiladas.
It is a hot dip. I hope you enjoy.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F/ 175 C.

Ingredients:

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken meat
1-8oz package softened cream cheese
1 cup mayonnaise
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese OR cheddar/jack cheese
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1- 4 oz can diced green chili pepper- you can also use half of a fresh Anaheim chili
1 Jalapeno OR Serrano pepper, finely chopped- optional

Bake chicken in oven for about 20 minutes or until done. Take out, cool and shred or cube.
In a mixing bowl add all of the ingredients and blend well.
Transfer the mixture to a baking dish. A 2 quart casserole works really well.
Bake uncovered for 30 minutes. It will be bubbly and the edges will be golden.