Apricot Habanero Hasselback Sausage Bites

Y’all! These are absolutely addicting and I cannot get enough. Don’t let “habanero” scare you off, these are sweet and tangy with a little bit of spice at the end that will have you going in for more. Millers is hosting a recipe contest and they are looking for the best recipes to wow your friends on gameday - I think this one is a winner! With only 6 ingredients, naturally gluten free and super quick to throw together this will be your new game day go-to! 

Apricot Habanero Hasselback Sausage Bites

2 teaspoons dry mustard powder

2 Tablespoons brown sugar

¼ cup apricot preserves

½ cup Miller’s Habanero Banana Pepper Sauce

1 package chicken apple sausages (fully cooked, 12 ounce package)

2 Tablespoons thinly sliced green onion

 

Preheat oven to 425° and line a large sheet pan with parchment paper.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mustard powder, brown sugar, apricot preserves and Miller’s Habanero Banana Pepper Sauce.  Pour half of the mixture into a small serving bowl and set aside.

Place one of the sausage links on a cutting board and lay a chopstick along both of its long sides. Using a sharp knife, slice every ¼ inch along the length of the sausage, stopping when your knife reaches the chopsticks so the link stays intact along the bottom. Slice the links fully into 1-inch bite-sized pieces (about 3 rings per piece) and repeat with the remaining links.

Place the sausage bites into the large bowl with the remaining sauce and toss to evenly coat.

Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the edges are crisp and well browned. Place on a serving platter with the reserved dipping sauce, sprinkle with green onion and serve immediately.

 

You can find Miller's Banana Pepper Sauce at Whole Foods, Wegmans or Amazon 

You can follow Miller’s on Facebook or Instagram

#betterwithmillers #millersrecipechallenge #anythingbutbland

  

Pretzel & Bratwurst Nachos with Apple Jalapeno Pico

My last entry for the Desert Pepper Trading Co Blogger Recipe Contest might be my favorite. This is Oktoberfest, gameday and fall flavors in one delicious package! Pretzels, bratwurst and queso with a bright and spicy apple jalapeno pico de gallo? Sign me up!

Pretzel & Bratwurst Nachos with Apple Jalapeno Pico

1 Tablespoon butter

1-pound fresh bratwurst sausage

¾ cup green apple, diced

1 large fresh jalapeno, chopped

¼ cup minced red onion

1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 ½ cups Desert Pepper Chile Con Queso

2 teaspoons mustard powder

8 ounces Pretzel chips

 

Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the bratwurst to the pan and break apart as it’s cooking, allowing it to crumble as it cooks. Cook for about 10 minutes until the meat has browned.

 In a small mixing bowl, stir together the diced apple, jalapeno, red onion, vinegar and salt.

Heat the Desert Pepper Chile Con Queso in a small sauce pot over medium low heat until warmed through, stirring frequently. Whisk in the mustard until smooth and keep warm.

To assemble, lay the pretzel chips on a large sheet pan. Drizzle with queso, sprinkle with bratwurst and top with the apple jalapeno salsa. Serve immediately. 

You can purchase Desert Pepper Salsa products at your local Sprouts, Publix, Hannaford, Harris Teeter, Shop Rite, Walmart, Giant Eagle, Market Basket, Jewel, Meijer

You can follow Desert Pepper on their Website, on Facebook and Instagram 

#desertpepperrecipechallenge #desertpeppertradingco #desertpeppersalsa

Brisket & Queso Rangoon with Creamy Jalapeno Sauce

Desert Pepper Trading Co is hosting a Blogger Recipe Contest and I am so excited to share my first entry with you! What could be more perfect for your next game day (or any day, really) snack? Brisket and Queso in a crispy crunchy wonton wrapper with a cool and creamy jalapeno ranch dip on the side. Yes please!

Brisket & Queso Rangoon with Creamy Jalapeno Sauce

1 large fresh jalapeno, chopped

½ cup cilantro leaves

2 green onions, chopped

½ cup bottled ranch dressing

8 ounces beef brisket, coarsely shredded

¾ cup Desert Pepper Chile Con Queso

20 Wonton Wrappers

6 cups vegetable oil

2 teaspoons BBQ Rub

 

Place the jalapeno, cilantro, green onions and ranch dressing in a small food processor or blender. Puree until smooth and place in the fridge to chill.

In a small mixing bowl stir together the brisket and Desert Pepper Chile Con Queso.

Working one at a time, use your finger and moisten the outer edges of a wonton wrapper with water. Add about 2 teaspoons of the brisket queso mixture in the center. Bring the 2 bottom points together in the middle of the wonton and pinch. Repeat with the other 2 corners and pinch to form a square bottom and pointed top. Lay on a cookie sheet and cover lightly with a clean damp kitchen towel while assembling the remaining wontons.

In an electric fryer or large high sided skillet fitted with a candy thermometer, bring the oil up to 375° over medium high heat.

Working in batches, fry the wontons for 3-5 minutes, or until golden brown. Sprinkle the fried wontons with the BBQ rub seasoning and allow to drain on a cooling rack placed in a cookie sheet. Serve with Creamy Jalapeno Sauce.

Makes 20 wontons.

 

You can purchase Desert Pepper Salsa products at your local Sprouts, Publix, Hannaford, Harris Teeter, Shop Rite, Walmart, Giant Eagle, Market Basket, Jewel, Meijer

You can follow Desert Pepper on their Website, on Facebook and Instagram 

#desertpepperrecipechallenge #desertpeppertradingco #desertpeppersalsa

Cheesy Chicken Bacon BBQ Egg Rolls with Pickled Jalapeno Ranch

The Super Bowl is on Sunday and I don't know if you're all about football or all about the food but I am definitely team snacks all the way. If you don't care at all about the game, here's something to be excited about - Cheesy Chicken Bacon BBQ Egg Rolls with Pickled Jalapeno Ranch!

Crispy egg roll wrappers are stuffed with bacon, BBQ sauce, shredded chicken and 2 kinds of cheese. The shredded sharp cheddar gets all melty and saucy when the egg rolls are frying and then the pockets of cubed pepper jack gives you those gorgeous cheese pulls that will keep your attention while you're waiting for the next commercial to come on. And do I really need to tell you how good Pickled Jalapeno Ranch is? I hope not, because I think the name itself tells you how awesome it is and I won't be mad if you make extra for tacos, as a salad dressing, veggie dip or literally anything else you have nearby to dip into it.

Cheesy Chicken Bacon BBQ Egg Rolls with Pickled Jalapeno Ranch 

6 cups vegetable oil

1 cup ranch dressing

½ cup jarred sliced mild pickled jalapenos

¼ cup chopped green onion

2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken

¾ cup barbecue sauce 

½ cup cooked, chopped bacon

1 ½ cup pepper jack cheese, cut into ¼ inch cubes

1 ½ cup grated extra sharp cheddar cheese

12 Twin Dragon Egg Roll Wrappers

In an electric fryer or large high sided skillet fitted with a candy thermometer, bring the oil up to 375 degrees over medium high heat.

Place the ranch dressing, pickled jalapenos and green onions in a small food processor or blender and puree until smooth. Pour into a serving bowl.

Place the chicken, barbecue sauce, bacon and cheeses in a small mixing bowl and stir to combine.

Lay an egg roll wrapper on a large cutting board with one corner of the wrapper pointing toward you and lightly moisten all 4 edges with water. Place ¼ to 1/3 cup of the filling just below the center of the wrapper.  Fold bottom corner over mixture, fold sides in, and roll up tightly.

Working in batches, fry the egg rolls for 3-5 minutes, or until golden and crisp.

Serve with the Pickled Jalapeno Ranch sauce for dipping.

Makes 12 egg rolls

I am participating in JSL Foods “Twin Dragon Asian Wrapper Recipe Challenge” and this is my entry for Game Day Appetizers

You can follow JSL Foods on their website, Facebook , Twitter and Instagram 

You can find Twin Dragon Wrappers at Walmart, Albertsons, Shaw's, Von's, Stater Bros, Fred Meyer, QFC, Safeway, Associated Stores, Giant Stores, Shop N Shop, Winco, and Price Chopper. If you don't see them in your local store, ask them to carry Twin Dragon Wrapper products! Twin Dragon Asian Wrappers are Vegan and Non-GMO. Plus, they are manufactured with no artificial preservatives. 

The wrappers hold up when boiled steamed or fried. Attributes include low oil absorption, even browning and when fried, small bubbles. You will be surprised how easy they are to work with.

#twindragonwrappers #wontons  #eggrolls #potstickers #TwinDragon #ChefYaki

Superbowl Dips

Can you even have a Superbowl party without dips? I don't think so. Here's 5 of my favorites below:

 Parmesan Artichoke Dip with Crispy Fried Capers

the fried capers are the perfect salty crispy bite on this healthy bean and artichoke dip

 Summer Salsa

this dip is packed with so much fresh flavor and is equally delish scooped with chips or as a fish taco topper

Hatch Green Chile Pimento Cheese

A Southern classic with a twist

 Crock Pot Caramelized Fennel and Onion Dip
This stuff is absolutely addictive and fabulous with kettle chips or baguette slices!

Cheeseburger 7 Layer Dip with Wedge Fry Dippers

My kids literally wouldn't stop with this one. Honestly, I couldn't either! It's pretty much a burger and fries minus the bun and I am so here for it!

Deep Fried Superbowl Snacks

As sad as I am that the Saints didn't go further this year in the playoffs I am excited about one thing- the food! This Superbowl will be all about the food for me and who doesn't love a good excuse to stand around with your friends and stuff your face?
Today I'm sharing my favorite guilty pleasure fried goodies! Which one would you choose?

  Street Corn Mashed Potato Poppers with Ancho-cado Dip

 Cheddar Jalapeno Churros with Cilantro Ranch Dip

 Green Chile Ham Hush Puppies with Chipotle Honey Mustard

 Crispy Chicken Parm Egg Rolls

 Chili Cheese Dog Egg Rolls

 Brats N Beer Cheese Bites

 Mexican Street Corn Won Tons

Seven Layer Dip Egg Rolls

Bacon Fried Potato Salad Bites with Fry Sauce

Muffuletta Egg Rolls

Superbowl Snack Lineup

The Superbowl is this Sunday and whether you're excited for the game or the food and commercials I've got you covered! I'm going to be sharing my favorite game day grub each day this week and today's recipes are just as cute as they are delicious! Both can be made ahead of time and are super easy too.

First is my "Pass The Pigskin Cheese Spread" Look how cute!! This cheese ball is covered in bacon and won't last long.

 Pass The Pigskin Cheese Spread

 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

1 clove garlic, minced

1 teaspoon Montreal style steak seasoning

1 14-ounce can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

1/3 cup chopped black olives

4 ounces shredded Monterey Jack cheese

1/3 cup chopped tomato

½ cup chopped cilantro

¼ cup plus 1 Tablespoon mayonnaise

12 ounces cooked bacon

Assorted crackers, chips, baguette or crudité for serving.

In a medium mixing bowl stir together the cream cheese, garlic, steak seasoning, artichokes, olives, Monterey Jack cheese, tomato, cilantro and ¼ cup of the mayonnaise. Once the mixture is well combined, place the mixture in a plastic wrap lined small mixing bowl, and place it in the fridge to cool for at least 30 minutes.

While the cheese mixture is chilling, place the bacon in a food processor and pulse until it is very finely chopped.

When the cheese mixture has firmed up, remove it from the fridge and turn it over onto a serving platter. Using your hands, shape the wrapped cheese mixture into the shape of a football. Remove the layer of plastic wrap and then lightly press the finely chopped bacon into the cheese mixture, covering it completely.

Place the remaining 1 Tablespoon of mayonnaise into a small plastic zip top bag. Using scissors, cut a small hole in the corner of the bag. Pipe the mayo on top of the bacon, making it look like the laces on a football.

Serve spread with crackers, chips, baguette or crudité.

Serves 10-12.

Next up is my Playoff Pudding Parfaits and can we just talk about how adorable they are?!
Everyone has had "dirt cups" before right? This is the Football version of that super easy but delicious treat!

Playoff Pudding Parfaits
1 (3.9 ounce) box instant chocolate pudding
1 cup shredded coconut
5 drops green food coloring
6 chocolate sandwich cookies
2 large flour tortillas
6 football shaped pretzels or candies

 Prepare the pudding as directed on the package and divide the mixture between 6 small parfait cups (you can easily make these in the clear 9 ounce disposable cups too) and place in the fridge to chill.

Place the coconut and food coloring in a zip top sandwich bag, close tightly and shake and mash it until the food coloring is evenly distributed.

Place the cookies in a separate zip top sandwich bag and mash with a rolling pin until crumbled. 

Using a cookie cutter, or by tracing a paper stencil, cut out 6 goal posts from the tortillas.  Place the cutouts on a cookie sheet and toast in a toaster oven until crisp (about 3-5 minutes).  Once the cutouts are crisp, spray with yellow edible food color mist (easily found at most craft and grocery stores). 

To assemble parfaits, top each pudding cup with mashed chocolate cookie crumbs, then colored coconut.  Stick a goal post cutout in the cups and place a football pretzel or chocolate candy on top.

These can be made ahead and stored in the fridge or served immediately. 

Super Bowl Snacks Recipe Roundup

I'm looking forward to cheering the Saints on in the Championship Game this weekend! One of my favorite parts of football parties is the food so I came up with a list of awesome appetizers for your game day get together. Whether you're hosting a big party for your friends and family or hanging out at home, I promise you'll love these snacks!

Baked Buffalo Chicken Bites

Mini-letta Swirls

Seven Layer Dip Egg Rolls

Brats N Beer Cheese Bites

Everything Bagel Oven Fries

Pass The Pigskin Cheese Spread

 Cape Cod Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Cranberry Sweet & Sour Sauce

 Green Chile Ham Hush Puppies with Chipotle Honey Mustard 

 Bacon Fried Potato Salad Bites with Fry Sauce

 Street Corn Mashed Potato Poppers with Ancho-cado Dip

Cheddar Jalapeno Churros with Cilantro Ranch Dip

Cubano Meatballs with Mustard Cream Sauce

Super Bowl worthy Supreme Pizza Gyoza

Crispy Chicken Parm Egg Rolls

Greek Salad Style Potato Skins

Bacon Pimento Cheese Cherubs

 Chili Cheese Dog Egg Rolls

Mexican Street Corn Won Tons

 Muffuletta Egg Rolls

Five Bean Salad Mini Muffulettas

Playoff Pudding Parfaits

Seven Layer Dip Egg Rolls

When I think of "Football Party Food" the same list of familiar crowd pleasing favorites come to mind. ..... Pizza, Buffalo anything, Chili, Grilled Brats and some sort of Tex-Mex dip. All options are decadent, delicious and pair well with beer, friends and yelling at the TV.  

For my last entry in the JSL Foods Blogger Recipe challenge I made Seven Layer Dip Egg Rolls!!
Re-fried beans, cheese, tomatoes, green onions, olives and guacamole all wrapped up in a crispy crunchy egg roll wrapper! Dip it in seasoned sour cream and you'll be the MVP of the party 

Can you even consider it a football party if you don't have Seven Layer Dip there? Maybe.....but I really think it should be a requirement.

Seven Layer Dip Egg Rolls
6 cups vegetable oil for frying
1 cup sour cream
¼ cup Mexican style salsa picante hot sauce
1 ½ cups re-fried beans
4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese sticks, cut into 12 pieces
¼ cup sliced green onion
¼ cup diced tomato
12 black olives, sliced
¾ cup guacamole
12 Twin Dragon Egg Roll Wrappers

In an electric fryer or large high sided skillet fitted with a candy thermometer, bring the oil up to 375 degrees over medium high heat.
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the sour cream and Mexican style salsa picante hot sauce. Place in the fridge to chill.
To assemble the egg rolls, lay an egg roll wrapper on a large cutting board with one corner of the wrapper pointing toward you and lightly moisten all 4 edges with water. Place 2 Tablespoons of refried beans, 1 of the cheese stick pieces, 1 teaspoon green onion, 1 teaspoon tomato, one sliced black olive and 1 Tablespoon guacamole in the bottom center of the wrapper. Fold bottom corner over mixture, fold sides in, and roll up tightly. Once rolled, place the egg roll on a cookie sheet and cover with a clean kitchen towel. Repeat with remaining wrappers
Fry egg rolls for 3-5 minutes, or until golden and crisp. Allow to drain on a cooling rack and then place on a serving tray. Serve with sour cream sauce for dipping.
Makes 12 egg rolls

You can follow JSL Foods here, on Facebook and on Twitter

#TwinDragon #ChefYaki

You can purchase JSL Foods Twin Dragon products at Albertsons, Shaw's, Von's, Stater Bros, Lucky's, Food Maxx, Fred Meyer, QFC, Cub Foods, Rainbow Foods, Safeway, Associated Stores, Price Rite, Shop Rite, Winco, Price Chopper and Gelson's!

Super Bowl worthy Supreme Pizza Gyoza

When I was asked to participate in "JSL Foods' Super Bowl Finger Food Recipe Challenge" I was thrilled. I've been having so much fun creating recipes for their "JSL Foods Fortune Noodle Blogger Recipe Challenge" that I knew almost instantly what I would do for this theme. 

If I'm being totally honest, I'm more excited about the food than the game when it comes to football parties and I don't think I've ever been to a Super Bowl party that didn't have pizza. Did you know that 12.5 million pizzas are bought on Super Bowl Sunday each year?! Isn't that insane? 

Give your delivery guy a break and whip these up instead. Your guests will be thrilled you did. 

Just look at those crispy bottoms! So yummy!

 Super Bowl worthy Supreme Pizza Gyoza

¼ cup roughly chopped fresh mushrooms

2 Tablespoons finely chopped green bell pepper

2 Tablespoons finely chopped red onion

4 ounces room temperature cream cheese

¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1/8 teaspoon garlic salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

¼ cup diced pepperoni

2 Tablespoons finely chopped black olives

19 Twin dragon Gyoza Wrappers

1 Tablespoon vegetable oil

Place the mushrooms in a large non-stick skillet and cook over medium high heat for 5 minutes. Add the bell pepper and onion to the pan, and continue to cook for about 3 minutes, or until the vegetables have just wilted but aren’t browned. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.

Once the veggies have cooled, add them to a medium mixing bowl along with the cream cheese, mozzarella, basil, oregano, garlic salt, pepper, pepperoni and olives. Stir to combine.

Holding a wrapper in your palm, place about 2 teaspoons of the filling in the center of the dough. Using your finger, moisten the rim with water and fold the edges to create 6 pleats. Press to seal and place on a large cookie sheet, covered with a clean kitchen towel. Repeat with remaining wrappers.

Once all gyoza are ready, heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan over medium high heat. Place the gyoza in the pan and cook just until the bottoms are lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Pour 1/3 cup water on the side of the pan and place a lid on the top. Allow the gyoza to steam, about 5 minutes. Remove the lid and cook just until the water has evaporated. Serve immediately.

Makes 19 gyoza

You can follow JSL Foods here, on Facebook and on Twitter

#TwinDragon #ChefYaki

You can purchase JSL Foods Twin Dragon products at Albertsons, Shaw's, Von's, Stater Bros, Lucky's, Food Maxx, Fred Meyer, QFC, Cub Foods, Rainbow Foods, Safeway, Associated Stores, Price Rite, Shop Rite, Winco, Price Chopper and Gelson's!

Brats N Beer Cheese Bites

Bratwurst, mushrooms and onions in a crispy crunchy wonton shell dunked in a pool of dreamy melted beer cheese dip. This combo should be a requirement for Super Bowl Sunday, am I right? I think beer and bratwurst are actually a tailgating requirement in the Midwest, but why should they be the only ones to enjoy this classic pairing? I promise your friends and family will gobble these up!

What's your go-to Super Bowl snack?

Brats N Beer Cheese Bites

1 Tablespoon butter

½ cup diced onion

1 cup diced mushrooms

8 ounces bulk bratwurst sausage

1 cup beer

6 ounces cubed processed cheese 

3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

2 teaspoons dry mustard powder

18 Twin Dragon Wonton Wrappers

6 cups vegetable oil

In a large non-stick sauté pan cook the butter, onion and mushrooms for 3-5 minutes over medium low heat or until softened. Add the bratwurst to the pan and brown the sausage, breaking it apart while cooking, into crumbles. Cook for 8 minutes, or until well browned. Set the mixture aside to cool slightly.

In a medium sauce pot over medium high, bring the beer and processed cheese sauce to a simmer. Whisk until the cheese is fully melted. Slowly whisk in the grated cheese and mustard powder until smooth. Set aside and keep warm.

Working one at a time, use your finger and moisten the outer edges of a wonton wrapper with water. Add about 2 teaspoons of the sausage mixture in the center. Bring the 2 bottom points together in the middle of the wonton and pinch. Repeat with the other 2 corners and pinch to form a square bottom and pointed top.

In an electric fryer or large high sided skillet fitted with a candy thermometer, bring the oil up to 375 degrees over medium high heat.

Working in batches, fry the wontons for 3-5 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow to drain on a cooling rack placed in a cookie sheet. Serve with warm beer cheese sauce.

Makes 18 wontons.

You can follow JSL Foods here, on Facebook and on Twitter

#TwinDragon #ChefYaki

You can purchase JSL Foods Twin Dragon products at Albertsons, Shaw's, Von's, Stater Bros, Lucky's, Food Maxx, Fred Meyer, QFC, Cub Foods, Rainbow Foods, Safeway, Associated Stores, Price Rite, Shop Rite, Winco, Price Chopper and Gelson's!