Quick and Easy Dip

Saturday night several people came over to my house to watch the Mizzou Tigers' disastrous loss to Texas Tech. In addition to discussing what an awful mascot a gun-slinging cowboy is for young children, we also ate some delicious food! Melanie made a dip she called "Beer Dip." It was so simple and yummy, I just had to share. If you have a last minute get together with no time to spare, this is a go-to recipe to keep in the kitchen drawer.

Beer Dip

Fire Level: Yellow

Ingredients

• 2 Packages Cream Cheese softened
• 1/3 to 1/2 a beer (depending on how runny or thick you want your dip)
• 1 Packet Ranch Dressing
• 1 1/2 Cups finely shredded cheddar cheese

STEP 1: Create your base

Mash up your cream cheese. If you have a food processor, this is the perfect time to use the "plastic blade" they gave you in the box that is gathering dust in your cabinet. Otherwise, just use a wooden spoon. While you are mashing, add in your beer until you have the consistency you want.

STEP 2: Add the rest

Add in the other two ingredients.

STEP 3: Enjoy!

Eat it up with pretzels, pretzel chips, pita chips, tortilla chips... whatever you want.

Other Options

I think this dip would be really yummy, and a bit spicier, if you add a can of diced green chiles!

Take Me Out to the... World Series!!!

Sorry it's been a while since I've updated. It has been a crazy couple weeks between Mizzou's football games, Chiefs games, and the Rangers in the World Series! When we were at the Ballpark in Arlington for Game 4, we treated ourselves to the new item they revealed for the Series: a bacon wrapped hot dog. It was delicious! I thought it would be a good thing to add to my blog because it is really simple, AND with baseball season over and football season into its second half, the time for grilling is almost over. :( So here you go and enjoy while there is still time!

Bacon Wrapped Hot Dog

Fire Level: Depends on the toppings yellow-red

Ingredients

• Hot Dogs
• Equal number of bacon strips (I suggest the thick cut premium bacon. Don't skimp on it for this)
• Equal number of buns (I suggest getting thicker, more brat-like buns if available)
• Numerous Toppings (see options below)

STEP 1: Prep the dogs

Wrap your hot dogs with the bacon. Take the end of a bacon strip and start at one end of the hot dog wrapping in a spiral formation around the dog. If the bacon has trouble staying on, you can use toothpicks to attach the ends of the bacon to the ends of the dog.

STEP 2: Cook the dogs

If you have a grill around, then great! Throw them on the grill. If not, you can use a large skillet. Cook the dogs until the bacon starts to get crispy.

STEP 3: Put your dog on your bun

No explanation needed. :)

STEP 4: Add your toppings

Topping Options

This is where the magic happens! Toppings make all the difference on the hot dogs. Here are some options based on what we had at the ballpark, and what I just think sounds really good. The fire level will change depending on how many jalepenos, siracha, etc that you add.

Ballpark in Arlington Version

During the World Series, they grilled some onions along with the dogs and added those onto the dog. Delicious!

They also had numerous other toppings:

• Pico de gallo
• Shredded cheese
• Jalepenos

A Tex Mex Version

• Shredded pepper jack cheese or even melted nacho cheese
• Avocado
• Pico de gallo or salsa
• Jalepenos

Kansas City Version

• Barbeque sauce
• Diced onion
• Shredded cheddar cheese

The Standard

• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Mayonnaise

California Cobb

• Avocado
• Bleu Cheese
• Diced tomato
• Shredded Lettuce
• Ranch Dressing

Japanese Version

• Siracha
• Teriyaki Sauce
• Spicy Mayonnaise