Cafe Rio Cilantro Ranch Salad Dressing

I got this recipe from my mom.  I guess it's technically a salad dressing, but I use it on way more than just salads.  It's good on chicken, baked potatoes, meat, etc etc etc.  Apparently, it's also quite similar to Cafe Rio's house dressing.  Yum.  :-)


Cilantro Ranch Salad Dressing

1 1/3 cups sour cream
3/4 cup mayo
1/2 bunch cilantro
1 pkg ranch dressing mix (dry)
4 T salsa verde
2 cloves garlic'1/8 t. tabasco
1 lime, juiced

Blend all together in blender.


This makes a pretty good amount, so I used it on a chicken salad, a few different chicken dinners, and fajitas.  We love it on all kinds of stuff.  Feel free to go crazy with it.  :-)

S'more Crack Dip

Heaven knows I love me some s'mores.  Especially when the marshmallow is perfect.  However, heaven also knows I hate me some camping, so I don't get to eat the perfect s'more very often.  That's why this recipe seemed perfect for me- I can make dip-able s'mores right here at home!  Here's the recipe:

S'more Crack Dip

Ingredients:

1 cup of milk chocolate chips
2 tbs of milk
1 1/4 cups mini marshmallows
Graham crackers for dipping 

Directions:

In a medium sauce pan add chocolate chips, milk and 1 cup of your mallows. Mix continuously over medium heat until melted and smooth. Using a rubber spatula, scrape chocolate mixture into a small casserole dish. Top with remaining mallows.

Place dish under you oven broiler for approximately 60 seconds or until the top has started to brown. 

Dip your graham crackers and enjoy!!     

Okay, I have no idea why, but I could swear that this recipe is way better than real s'mores!  Doesn't make much sense, since the ingredients are the same.... perhaps it's the ratios?  I have no idea.  But I'm not crazy, because my husband loved the dip, and he's not a huge s'more guy.  I highly recommend it.  I also highly recommend being prepared to eat a lot of it.  ;-)

Slow Cooker Bourbon Chicken

No, this recipe doesn't actually have bourbon in it, but apparently it tastes kind of similar to a recipe that does??  (I wouldn't know).  All I know is that this recipe is pretty dang good:

Slow Cooker Bourbon Chicken Recipe:

(Serves 4-6)

Ingredients:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1/4 cup apple juice

1/4 cup light brown sugar

2 Tablespoons ketchup

1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1/2 cup water

1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce

1/4 cup cornstarch

Directions:

Place chicken breasts in the bottom of slow cooker.  In a medium sized mixing bowl, combine garlic, ginger, red pepper flakes, apple juice, brown sugar, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, water and soy sauce.  Pour sauce on top of chicken.  Replace lid and cook 6-8 hours on low.  Remove chicken and shred or cut into chunks.  In a small bowl, mix together 1/4 cup cornstarch with 1/4 cup of sauce from the crock pot.  Whisk together and pour back into the crock pot to thicken the sauce.  Return chicken to the slow cooker and let warm until ready to serve.  Serve over rice and garnish with additional red pepper flakes.

The flavor of this dish is unique.  I liked it a lot and will definitely keep using it.  However, because of the unique flavor (if you try it, you'll know what I mean) it is probably not for everyone.  If you're a picky eater, proceed with caution.  :-)  I recommend serving it over rice.