Air Fryer Loaded Waffle Fries
Layers of crispy waffle fries, crunchy bacon, creamy ranch then topped with melted cheese. All made in the air fryer and minimal cleanup. Air Fryer Loaded Waffle Fries are just what snacking should be, easy and delicious!
I think it’s an official thing by now. We are going on 8 solid months of me being in love with my air fryer. If an inanimate object can be your BFF, my air fryer and I would be attached at the hip. This thing is THE BOMB! What can’t you make in this thing?
Can you make sandwiches in it? Yes! Check out this Roasted Pepper Turkey Sandwich.
Snacks for munching? Yes! Air Fryer Rosemary Cashews is one of my most popular recipes.
What about making an air fryer recipe that is loaded with bacon, ranch and LOTS of cheese? Um, yeah. That’s literally what I’m doing right now.
So we’ve got dinner squared away for Mitten Movie Night so let’s talk about the beer and what we’re watching.
What beer pairs well with air fryer waffle fries loaded with ranch and bacon?
The beer: Oberon from Bell’s Brewery.
We are sadly getting to the end of Oberon season. It feels like yesterday that I was making Smoked Sausage Nachos and pairing them with Larry’s Flamingo Fruit Fight at the beginning of Spring and now here we are, almost to September.
What TV Show pairs well with waffle fries and great Michigan Craft Beer?
Hubby and I have been binging The Boys. Great show and can I add that Elisabeth Shue looks amazing. As someone who is about to slide into the last part of the first part of her 40’s, hats off to you lady.
How to make Air Fryer Loaded Waffle Fries:
Start off by setting the air fryer to 400 degrees. *My air fryer has a ‘french fry’ setting so I set it to that which is 400 degrees. Check your manual for cooking times.
Fry the waffles fries for 15-20 minutes shaking the basket in 5-minute intervals so they don’t stick to the bottom.
Once the waffle fries have cooked in the air fryer to the desired goldenness take the basket of the fryer out.
Layer with the cooked bacon and ranch. See isn’t this a perfect ‘one pan’ snack attack?
Add cheese, then finally the green onions.
Cook in the air fryer for 2-4 minutes.
Serves with an ice cold beer and here you are…..
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.
| Prep Time | 5 minutes |
| Cook Time | 25 minutes |
| Servings |
servings
|
- 12 ounces bacon cooked and chopped
- 22 ounces golden waffle fries
- 2 stalks green onion chopped
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Ingredients
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|
- Set the air fryer to 400 degrees.
- Fry the waffles fries for 15-20 minutes shaking the basket in 5-minute intervals so they don't stick to the bottom.
- Once the waffle fries have cooked take the basket of the fryer out.
- Layer with the cooked bacon and ranch.
- Add cheese, then finally the green onions.
- Cook in the air fryer for 2-4 minutes.
Baked Meatballs
These delicious Baked Meatballs make the perfect addition to pasta night! Ground beef, Italian sausage, Parmesan and mozzarella cheese with fresh basil mixed together then form little balls of goodness that are baked, not fried.
I want to say that I make these meatballs every time I make pasta. It would be great to say, ‘This is a beloved recipe that my grandmother handed down to me.’ But I want to be honest with you, so I will. I just started making this recipe exactly one month ago.
While baking meatballs is my preferred way to make meatballs, I didn’t have a good recipe that went with spaghetti sauce. The usual grainy, bland and just plain yuck meatballs that I quickly make don’t leave any impression at all. Except for my 5-year-old, he LOVES spaghetti and meatballs, so for him, I felt like I really needed to up my game.
After playing with a few different versions, this baked meatball recipe was by far the best and little kid
So what made the difference from these and the other meatballs I had made before?
What I had run across before was when I used breadcrumbs for
What is a good meat mixture for making baked meatballs?
Prior to this, I was just using ground beef. Boring! So I added half ground beef (80/20 mixture) and half Italian sausage. No longer boring.
Want some un-boring ground beef recipes?
After soaking the breadcrumbs, preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In the bowl with the soaked breadcrumbs add the two cheese, egg, seasoning, garlic, and chopped basil.
Add the two types of meat then form into 1 to 2-inch balls. I like them on the smaller size and this recipe makes about 35 meatballs. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake the meatballs for 30 minutes and serve with cooked pasta and your choice of sauce. I love Trader Joe’s Red Lentil pasta and traditional sauce. And here you are…..
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time | 35 minutes |
| Servings |
meatballs
|
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage
- 1/2 pound ground beef 80/20 mix
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup mozzerella cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp italian seasoning
- 1 bunch fresh basil leaves chopped
Ingredients
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|
- Soak the 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs in 1/4 cup milk for 5 minutes before adding the other ingredients.
- After soaking the breadcrumbs, preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In the bowl with the soaked breadcrumbs add the two cheese, egg, seasoning, garlic, and chopped basil.
- Add the two types of meat then form into 1 to 2-inch balls. I like them on the smaller size and this recipe makes about 35 meatballs. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake the meatballs for 30 minutes and serve with cooked pasta and your choice of sauce.
BBQ Chicken & Bacon Sandwich
This BBQ Chicken & Bacon Sandwich recipe has all my favorite things in it!
Sliced chicken piled high with bacon and crunchy homemade coleslaw then drizzled with BBQ sauce.
Full of flavor and so easy to make!
I often profess my love for sandwiches. There are so many sandwich combinations you can make that it would really be hard to tire of them. Summer is also a great time to have sandwich fixings on hand for quick lunches or dinners in between trips to the lake or pool.
“Too few people understand a really good sandwich.”
— James Beard
What craft beer pairs well with BBQ Chicken & Bacon Sandwiches:
The beer: Floridian Hefeweizen from Funky Buddha.
I fell in LOVE with this one while we were down in Florida on vacation. It’s a light drinkable beer that’s full of citrus notes and is similar to the blonde styles that I love so much.
What should I watch on TV while eating a sandwich?
Of course, this Mitten Movie Night HAS to be all about binging Stranger Things. While I didn’t make an Indiana Themed menu as I did for Season One, this chicken sandwich is tasty no matter where you live.
How to make BBQ Chicken & Bacon Sandwiches:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
This recipe uses already cooked chicken breasts. Cooking up a few in the crock-pot then shredding is a quick meal must!
On a sheet pan split 6 brioche hamburger buns in half. Butter the tops and place face down on one half of the pan. Place the bottom half on the plan and spread the shredded cheese evenly between the 6 bottom sides.
Top with the precooked shredded chicken, splitting the chicken evenly over the bottoms.
Place in the oven and bake 12 minutes.
Cook the bacon to the desired doneness then remove and drain on a paper towel covered plate.
Quick Coleslaw Recipe:
In a small bowl combine the coleslaw mixture, mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard and sugar.
Making it up to a half hour early and placing in the refrigerator makes sure all the flavors meld together beautifully.
Coleslaw makes for a great BBQ chicken sandwich topping. It’s creamy and crunchy and best of all, easy to make. Placing homemade coleslaw on top of a sandwich takes you to pinnacle sandwich Nirvana.
Now it’s time to assemble these BBQ Chicken Sandwich with coleslaw.
Top the baked bottom half of the sandwich with BBQ sauce of your choice. Add the coleslaw. Now the bacon. Finally, more BBQ Sauce.
Need more sandwich inspiration?
- Roasted Pepper Turkey Sandwich made in the air fryer!
- Chicken & Mushroom Subs
- Deli Counter Turkey Sandwich
And here you are……
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time | 15 minutes |
| Servings |
sandwiches
|
- 6 brioche buns
- 2 cups cooked chicken sliced or chopped
- 1/2 pound bacon cooked and drained of grease
- 2 Tbs butter
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup BBQ Sauce
- 1 cup coleslaw mix
- 3 Tbs mayonnaise
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 2 tsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
Ingredients
BBQ Chicken & Bacon Sandwich
Quick Coleslaw
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|
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- On a sheet pan split 6 brioche hamburger buns in half. Butter the tops and place face down on one half of the pan.
- Place the bottom half on the plan and spread the shredded cheese evenly between the 6 bottom sides.
- Top with the pre-cooked shredded chicken, splitting the chicken evenly over the bottoms.
- Place in the oven and bake 12 minutes.
- Cook the bacon to the desired doneness then remove and drain on a paper towel covered plate.
- Top the baked bottom half of the sandwich with BBQ sauce of your choice. Add the coleslaw. Now the bacon. Finally, more BBQ Sauce. Enjoy!
- In a small bowl combine the coleslaw mixture, mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, and sugar.
Salmon Tacos with Avocado Ranch
These Salmon Tacos are not only easy to make, but they are also delicious! Top with a homemade avocado ranch dressing and pair with a craft beer for a great light dinner.
We are just getting back from a H-O-T end of school year vacation to Florida. Ugh. While it has been cooler here lately in Michigan, I will not complain about it after spending a week there.
When we got home it was finally feeling like summer so to celebrate I’m making salmon tacos with fresh tomatoes, creamy avocado ranch, and crispy tortillas. This meal was giving me ALL the warm weather feels.
What beer pairs well with Salmon Tacos?
The beer: Local’s Light from Short’s Brewing.
For this taco and craft beer pairing ‘light’ meets ‘light’. A subtle beer that’s perfect for a summer afternoon then transitions perfectly to enjoy with this seafood taco recipe.
What to watch while eating tacos?
Season 3 of Claws just started! If you aren’t watching this show, you are missing out. It also works well with this Mitten Movie Night because it’s set in Florida.
How to Make Salmon Tacos:
Start by preparing the salmon. Lay the salmon out and sprinkle with a mixture of chili pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, paprika and cumin.
Next, cook the salmon in a frying pan with 2 tsp olive oil, skin side facing up. Fry for 3-5 minutes, then flip. Cook an addition 3-5 minutes.
Remove from pan and flake the salmon by using two forks.
How to make Avocado Ranch Dressing:
In a food processor add the skinned and pitted
Pulse the ingredients adding a light stream of olive oil until you get the consistency that you like. I used about 2 tsp of olive oil as I like it to thicker.
We LOVE Tacos! How about you? Check out these other taco recipes!
Crisp the flour tortillas over an open flame if you wish. Serve with chopped tomatoes, red onions, and a side of
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.
| Prep Time | 5 minutes |
| Cook Time | 10 minutes |
| Servings |
servings
|
- 1 pound salmon
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/4 tsp ground cumin
- 6-8 flour tortillas
- 1 large ripe avocado skinned and pitted
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 3 Tbs mayonnaise
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- 1 bunch fresh parsley cleaned of the stems (can sub for 1 Tbs dried parsely)
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- olive oil to thin out as needed
Ingredients
Salmon Tacos
Avocado Ranch Dressing
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|
- Start by preparing the salmon. Lay the salmon out and sprinkle with a mixture of chili pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, and cumin.
- Cook the salmon in a frying pan with 2 tsp olive oil. Fry for 3-5 minutes, then flip. Cook an addition 3-5 minutes.
- Remove from pan and flake the salmon by using two forks.
- In a food processor add the skinned and pitted avocado, sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, parsley, garlic, onion powder, white vinegar, salt, and pepper.
- Pulse the ingredients adding a light stream of olive oil until you get the consistency that you like.
- Crisp the flour tortillas over an open flame if you wish. Serve with chopped tomatoes, red onions, and a side of refried beans. Enjoy!
Lasagna French Bread
Just a few ingredients turn ordinary loaves of French bread into this wonderful lasagna/pizza bread hybrid. Lots of sauce, lots of cheese and so toasty on top. Everyone will love this Lasagna French Bread.
Growing up french bread pizzas from the freezer section
What beer pairs well with Lasagna French Bread and a movie?
The beer: Lager from Simpler Times.
We pick this beer up at Trader Joe’s. It tastes great and is a great value at less than $5 for a 6-pack.
Is Trader Joe’s a great place to buy beer?
Yes! Not only do they have a great selection of beers, they also let you taste anything you want before buying.
What movie pairs well with crunchy french bread pizzas and a cold beer?
For this Mitten Movie Night we are starting Harry Potter from the very beginning. We are heading to Florida in a few weeks and visiting Universal Studios while there.
This will be Little A’s first time going when he can actually enjoy everything there. He wasn’t even 2 the last time we went so I’m excited to get him into the movies so he will understand just how cool that part of the park is.
How to make Lasagna French Bread:
In a pan brown the ground beef until cooked through, drain the grease.
To the same pan add onions and garlic. There should be grease still in the pan, if not add a small amount of olive oil. Lightly brown then add the ground beef back to the pan. Now add the spaghetti sauce and cook until warmed through and all mixed together.
Cut the French bread loaves in half and removing some of the bread in the center.
Tips for making great french bread:
- Removing some of the bread in the center makes a
shallow area for adding the cottage cheese fillings. Makes it so much easier to eat! - Brush some melted butter and garlic on the bread to give it a ‘garlic bread’ feel.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
On a baking sheet lay down some parchment paper. Place the cut bread on top.
In a small bowl mix together the cottage cheese and beaten egg together. Place the mixture into the wells of the bread.
Spread the ground beef mixture on the top of the cottage cheese mixture evenly over the 4 slices of bread.
Finally spread the shredded cheese on top.
Place in the oven and bake for 20 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
Want more foodie mash-up recipes?
- Wontons meet Coconut shrimp with these Baked Coconut Shrimp Wontons
- Pulled pork melds beautifully with creamy macaroni & cheese with this recipe for Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese
- Sliders topped with Scotch Eggs!?!? Scotch Egg Sliders are a match made in heaven
And here you are…..
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time | 20 minutes |
| Servings |
servings
|
- 1 pound ground beef cooked and drained of grease
- 1 small yellow onion chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 small loaves of French Bread sliced in half lengthwise
- 16 ounces cottage cheese
- 1 medium egg beaten
- 12 ounces pasta sauce
- 2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
Ingredients
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|
- In a pan brown the ground beef until cooked through, drain the grease.
- To the same pan add onions and garlic. Lightly brown then add the ground beef back to the pan. Now add the spaghetti sauce and cook until warmed through and all mixed together.
- Cut the French bread loaves in half and removing some of the bread in the center.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- On a baking sheet lay down some parchment paper. Place the cut bread on top.
- In a small bowl mix together the cottage cheese and beaten egg together. Place the mixture into the wells of the bread.
- Spread the ground beef mixture on the top of the cottage cheese mixture evenly over the 4 slices of bread.
- Finally spread the shredded cheese on top.
- Place in the oven and bake for 20 minutes.
Bacon Wrapped Hot Dog
Do you love hot dogs? How about bacon? Now, how about garlic aioli? Let’s put those all together to make this Bacon Wrapped Hot Dog. Crack open a cold beer and dive into a different way to eat hot dogs.
Warmer weather just calls for some good hamburger and hot dog recipes! This specific recipe has been one that I’ve wanted to recreate at home for a while. While we were at a picnic through our local energy co-op there was a gourmet hot dog truck there and this was the one that I chose.
I picked it because: 1) It had bacon on it! 2) There was a sauce on it that sounded amazing, garlic aioli. My interest was peaked and I am glad that I chose this one, amazing.
Now that I’ve made this recipe at home, I will definently be adding it to my hot dog rotation for sure!
What beer pairs well with Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs with Garlic Aioli?
The beer: Woody Wheat Ale from Austin Brothers Beer Company.
A perfect wheat ale that doesn’t take away from the bacon and aioli.
What movie pairs well with hot dogs that have been wrapped in bacon:
For this Mitten Movie
How to make a Bacon Wrapped Hot Dog:
Wrapping bacon on hot dogs is so simple! Start by preheating the oven to 375 degrees.
Wrap a baking sheet with tin foil. This will make clean up so much easier!
Start by taking a piece of bacon at the top of a hot dog. Wrap the bacon going down around the hot dog. Place on the baking sheet and continue until they are all wrapped.
Bake in the oven for 12-18 minutes. The quickness of these getting done depending on your oven temperature.
Take the bacon and put under the broiler for 40-50 seconds.
Take them out and turn, put under the broiler again for another 40-50 seconds to crisp the other side.
Steam some buns and add the hot dogs to them. Now they are ready for topping!
How to make Garlic Aioli:
In a small bowl mix together the mayo, garlic cloves, 1 tsp lemon juice, salt and pepper.
To top off the hot dog I slathered garlic aioli on top, sprinkled Monterey Jack cheese, green onions, and jalapenos.
Want more hot dog recipes?
And here you are…..
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
Garlic Aoili recipe from Baking Mischief
*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.
| Prep Time | 5 minutes |
| Cook Time | 18 minutes |
| Servings |
servings
|
- 8 hot dogs
- 8 slices bacon
- 8 hot dog buns
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 garlic clove, minced or 1 Tsp already peeled garlic
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp pepper
Ingredients
Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs
Garlic Aioli
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Salsa Chicken Skillet #SundaySupper
Salsa Chicken Skillet is the perfect one-pan meal! With chicken, a creamy sauce, tortillas and lots of cheese this will quickly become your busy weeknight go-to.
This is something that I’ve been making for years. It’s really quick, just a few ingredients and all cooked in one pan. Did I mention that it’s fast? Did I mention it’s delicious? Did I mention that kids and adults both will love this meal? Did I mention how good this is even though it may not *look* extra appealing?
There really wasn’t a way, no matter how I staged this meal, to look anything but sloppy. BUT HOW DELICIOUSLY SLOPPY IT IS!
Everything in this dish melds so well together so perfectly that presentation will be the least of your worries if you make this for your family.
How to make Salsa Chicken Skillet:
Start by dicing the chicken and onions. Add oil to a skillet over medium/high then add chicken and onion. Start to saute. Cook chicken through until no longer pink.
Next, cut up the tortilla pieces like a pie.
Once the chicken is cooked pour the flour over the top, stir to combine with chicken. Then add the chicken stock and ranch dressing.
Bring to a boil and let the sauce thicken.
Add your tortillas to the top of the skillet and stir to combine. Cook for around 3-5 minutes.
On top of the chicken & tortillas pour the entire jar of salsa on top. Don’t stir.
Place cheese on top. Cook until cheese is melted or put this under the broiler to melt the cheese.
Serve with some lettuce and sour cream. And here you are….
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
Originally published in September of 2016. Updated photos & recipe April of 2019.
Thank you so much to this Sunday Supper host Liz from that Skinny Chick Can Bake. Do you need more quick meal ideas? Check these out……
Favorite Skillet Breakfasts
- Sweet Potato, Bacon, and Egg Skillet by Positively Stacey
Favorite Skillet Sides
- Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes by Home Sweet Homestead
Favorite Skillet Entrees
- Alex’s Favorite Skillet Meal by The Freshman Cook
- Apple, Squash and Chicken Skillet by The Redhead Baker
- Black Bean and Rice Skillet by Wholistic Woman
- Chakchouka (Tunisian Eggs in Tomato Sauce) by Curious Cuisiniere
- Chili Joes by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- How to cook ChopSuey Vegetable Stir Fry with Beef by Asian In America
- Clean Eating Hamburger Helper Skillet by A Mind Full Mom
- Creamy Paprika Chicken & Peppers by My Life Cookbook
- Easy Pink Pasta Skillet by Family Foodie
- Easy Skillet Lasagna by New South Charm
- Greek Turkey Spinach Skillet by Cooking Chat
- Hatch Chile Shakshuka by Helpful Homemade
- Healthy Vegetable Skillet Dinner by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Huevos Rancheros by The Hungry Goddess
- Japanese Korean Tofu Sliders by The Ninja Baker
- Healthy Kielbasa, Brussels Sprouts, Potato & Pear Skillet by Food Done Light
- Kung Pao Chicken by A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Lemon Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken and Vegetables by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Loaded Skillet White Pesto Pizza by Crazed Mom
- One Pan Taco Rice Skillet by The Chef Next Door
- One Pot Beef Stroganoff by My World Simplified
- Pork and Sweet Potato Hash by The Bitter Side of Sweet
- Pork with Gingered Pluots by Palatable Pastime
- Salsa Chicken Skillet by Bottom Left of the Mitten
- Sautéed Gnocchi with Pomodo Crudo by What Smells So Good?
- Smothered Potatoes and Sausage by Sunday Supper Movement
- Spanish Rice and Beef Skillet Dinner by Meal Planning Magic
- Spicy Sausage Pasta Skillet by Caroline’s Cooking
- Summer Squash Frittata by Pies and Plots
- Tamale Pie by Monica’s Table
- Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Skillet by Fantastical Sharing of Recipes
- Veggie-Packed Sloppy Joes by Powered By BLING
- Yellow Rice Skillet by Cricket’s Confections
Favorite Skillet Desserts
- Fudgy Skillet Brownies by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie by The Crumby Cupcake
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board. Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.
| Prep Time | 5 minutes |
| Cook Time | 20 minutes |
| Servings |
servings
|
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts cubed
- 8 10 inch tortillas
- 1 small onion chopped
- 16 ounces chunky salsa
- 2 cup chicken broth
- 2 Tbs. flour
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing
- 2 Tbs. oil
- 8 ounces mexican blend shredded cheese
Ingredients
|
|
Instructions
-
Start by dicing the chicken and onions. Add oil to a skillet over medium/high then add chicken and onion. Start to saute. Cook chicken through until no longer pink.
-
Next, cut up the tortilla pieces like a pie.
-
Once the chicken is cooked pour the flour over the top then add the chicken stock and ranch dressing.
-
Bring to a boil and let the sauce thicken. Add your tortillas to the top of the skillet and stir to combine. Cook for around 3-5 minutes.
-
On top of the chicken & tortillas pour the entire jar of salsa on top. Don't stir. Place cheese on top.
-
Cook until cheese is melted or put this under the broiler to melt the cheese.
-
Serve with some lettuce and sour cream. Enjoy!
Smoked Sausage Nachos
Crispy tortilla chips, smoked sausage, a mix of peppers and onions drowned in beer cheese sauce. For the main dish or easy appetizer, Smoked Sausage Nachos are not your ordinary finger food.
I was looking around from some Midwest favorites to remake for Mitten Movie Night. That’s when I came across this article: 52 Comfort Foods All Midwesterners Know. Even as a Midwesterner, there were loads of recipes in here I had never even heard of. One that immediately jumped out to me on the list was Beer and Brat Nachos from Taste of Home.
A NACHO RECIPE LOADED WITH MEAT THEN COVERED IN BEER CHEESE? Yeah, that sounds good. In my Smoked Sausage Nachos, I swapped out the bratwurst and made it even simpler with cooked smoked sausage. Made a simple recipe for beer cheese sauce and we are on our way to tasty town.
This week is a “celebration’ of sorts on the blog! It’s the first time that I get to show off what I’ve been up to besides the blog.
A few months back I was asked if I would be interested in writing recipe and craft beer pairings for an area magazine, Michiana Life. Having this honor really felt like Bottom Left of the Mitten is not only online but also reaching out to local readers too!
I had been struggling lately with the decision to rebrand the blog name for a larger audience, but this just made me realize that sticking with what I started with was the right move.
This week is also 3 months at my new job! The new year had me
Working from home can be lonely and frustrating. Long hours paired with long winters and work always beckoning from the sleeping laptop even when you want to focus on other things. It’s rough. Since Little A started school in the Fall I felt like this was a great time to look for a part-time job.
So with resume in hand, I jumped at the chance to apply for a job at our local library, and happily got it! I couldn’t have asked for a better position. It gets me out of the house while still affording me time to work on my virtual assistant business and blog. Bonus, I get to be around books all day.
“Books are a uniquely portable magic.” – Stephen King in On Writing (print from InkInTheOzarks)
I’ve always been an avid reader so I thought this would be a great time to add another entertainment aspect of the blog and start adding book recommendations along with movies and TV shows. So let’s get started on these Smoke Sausage Nachos!
——-> Let’s follow each other on GoodReads! <——-
What book pairs well with beer and nachos smothered in beer cheese?
The book: No Exit by Taylor Adams.
Holy smokes, this book is a thrill ride from beginning to end. I could not put it down and you won’t want to either.
What craft beer pairs well with Smoke Sausage Nachos?
The beer: Larry’s Fruit Flight from Bell’s
The fruity notes and lime pair so well with not only the smoky sausage but the warm weather that is finally here!
How to make Smoked Sausage Nachos:
The best thing about this recipe is how easy it is! Let’s start with the beer cheese sauce.
For this I used a recipe from one of my favorite bloggers, The Chunky Chef. This Creamy Beer Cheese Sauce turned out great using Yuengling.
Start the rest of the nacho recipe by chopping the smoked sausage, peppers and onions.
In a pan heat up 1 tsp olive oil then
On a sheet pan spread out the tortilla chips. Add the sausage and peppers over the top.
Finally, pour the beer cheese sauce over the top. Add more chopped peppers and cilantro if you wish. Serve immediately.
Looking for more Sausage & Beer pairings?
And here you are……
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.
| Prep Time | 5 minutes |
| Cook Time | 10 minutes |
| Servings |
servings
|
- 1 13-ounce bag restaurant style tortilla chips
- 1 small yellow onion chopped
- 1 green pepper chopped
- 1 orange pepper chopped
- 1 yellow pepper chopped
- 14 ounces smoked sausage I used skinless smoked sausage
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 2 cups beer cheese sauce I used The Chunky Chef's Creamy Beer Cheese Sauce recipe
Ingredients
|
|
- For the beer cheese sauce: I used a recipe from, The Chunky Chef. I used Yuengling for the beer.
- Chop the smoked sausage, peppers and onions.
- In a pan heat up 1 tsp olive oil then sautee the sausage, peppers, and onions until the peppers and onions are cooked, around 6-8 minutes.
- On a sheet pan spread out the tortilla chips. Add the sausage and peppers over the top.
- Finally, pour the beer cheese sauce over the top. Add more chopped peppers and cilantro if you wish. Serve immediately.
Bubble & Squeak
Boiled potatoes and fried cabbage come together to form a great side dish or main ingredient in this Bubble & Squeak. Round out the meal with ham steaks, fried eggs and Hollandaise Sauce on the top.
Binge watching cooking shows on the weekend paid off big time. I mean look how good this recipe that was made on Food Paradise! The Chef made a classic dish, Bubble and Squeak, then added ham, eggs and one of my favorites…Hollandaise Sauce.
What beer pairs well with Bubble & Squeak?
The beer: Guinness, of course.
Would you like an alternative, local Irish beer? Short’s Brewing Uncle Steve’s Traditional Irish Style Stout.
Try my Irish Stout Cake made with Uncle Steve’s for a St. Patrick’s Day dessert.
What movie pairs well with a St. Patrick’s Day themed dinner?
For Mitten Movie Night why not just sit back and relax? Play some music, talk with each other and enjoy the fact that Spring is just about here.
But if you must watch something check out this article for some great recommendations—> 15 Best Movies to Watch for St. Patrick’s Day
For this classic dish, it’s a basic combination of cabbage and potatoes. I made this in two pots-a larger pot then a deep skillet.
How to make Bubble & Squeak:
Clean, peel and chop potatoes then add to water. Boil for 20 minutes until tender then drain.
Tips for making Bubble & Squeak:
- Previously, I chopped the cabbage for this recipe but felt like it was too chunky to form good patties. I updated the recipe and shredded the cabbage in the food processor.
- When forming the patties I let them chill in the freezer to firm them up, a step I didn’t do last time – even if you put them in the freezer for 10 minutes they will work much better for frying.
You will only need half of this, I made some coleslaw with the remaining half, yum!
To a food processor add the cabbage, onion and garlic and pulse until they are in small pieces.
Soften 1 Tbs butter in the pan the potatoes were cooked in. To the pot that the potatoes were cooked in sautee the cabbage mixture for 4-5 minutes.
Add the potatoes back into the pan plus the milk, butter, salt and pepper to taste, and parsley flakes. Using a potato masher smash everything together.
Take a cookie sheet and add parchment paper. Scoop out 8 patties then put them into the freezer for up to an hour. This step makes it SO MUCH EASIER to fry the patties.
Once they have cooled set up the staging area. In 3 separate containers crack 2 eggs, 1/2 cup flour with salt and pepper to taste then 1/2 cup breadcrumbs.
Bring 1/2 cup oil to frying to med/high heat for frying. Take the patties, flip on both sides into the flour, then the egg, then the breadcrumbs.
Add to oil in the pan frying on each side for 4-5 minutes. Crispy!! Remove and add to a plate with a paper towel.
The Chef on the show served the patties with poached eggs, ham steaks and Hollandaise Sauce, the sauce is what sold me on making this for sure. Eggs Benedict is what I order whenever I go out if it’s on the menu. While I’ve tried to make the sauce many, many times at home with a 100% fail rate I quickly realized there was a better alternative. The best part is it isn’t too buttery, cook the eggs I add or have a bitter lemon taste. Win! That alternative is this—>
Prepare the sauce as recommended on the package. Then all that’s left to do is to cook the eggs which can be fried or poached. Heat the ham steaks.
Prepare on a plate and drizzle with the sauce.
Need some more St. Patrick’s Day recipes?
- Check out these Unique St. Patrick’s Day Recipes
And here you are…..
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
Originally published in February of 2017. Updated photos & recipe March of 2019.
*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time | 10 minutes |
| Servings |
servings
|
Ingredients
- 1/2 small head cabbage chopped
- 1 small white onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic
- 4 potatoes peeled and chopped, add water to boil
- 2 Tbs milk
- 1 Tbs butter
- 1/2 cup flour
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs, original
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 Tbs parsley flakes 1/2 in potato pattoe, 1/2 in sauce
- 8 eggs poached
- 6 ham steaks heated
- 0.9 ounces Knorr Hollandaise Sauce pkg prepared to package directions
Ingredients
|
|
Instructions
-
Clean, peel and chop potatoes then add to water. Boil for 20 minutes until tender then drain.
-
To a food processor add the cabbage, onion and garlic and pulse until they are in small pieces.
-
Soften 1 Tbs butter in the pan the potatoes were cooked in. To the pot that the potatoes were cooked in sautee the cabbage mixture for 4-5 minutes.
-
Add the potatoes back into the pan plus the milk, butter, salt and pepper to taste, and parsley flakes. Using a potato masher smash everything together.
-
Take a cookie sheet and add parchment paper. Scoop out 8 patties then put them into the freezer for up to an hour. This step makes it SO MUCH EASIER to fry the patties.
-
Once they have cooled set up the staging area. In 3 separate containers crack 2 eggs, 1/2 cup flour with salt and pepper to taste then 1/2 cup breadcrumbs.
-
Bring 1/2 cup oil to frying to med/high heat for frying. Take the patties, flip on both sides into the flour, then the egg, then the breadcrumbs.
-
Add to oil in the pan frying on each side for 4-5 minutes. Remove and add to a plate with a paper towel.
-
Prepare the sauce as recommended on the package. Then all that's left to do is to cook the eggs which can be fried or poached. Heat the ham steaks.
-
Prepare on a plate and drizzle with the sauce. Enjoy!
Shrimp and Corn Chowder
Dig into the comforting bowl of Shrimp & Corn Chowder. Thick and full of shrimp, crunchy corn, potatoes, and a creamy broth. The perfect comfort food soup.
Well, it’s still REALLY cold here. The beginning of the week was brutal and now it’s about to start a weekend of storms and high winds. This though I can easily get over because Spring is going to come eventually. Until then, I have this beautiful soup and tonight’s Mitten Movie Night to keep me warm.
What movie pairs well with cold weather and warm soup?
If you have Hulu you have to watch Down. This movie was a real nail biter! Suspense fans will love it.
What beer pairs well with Shrimp & Corn Chowder?
The beer: The Poet from New Holland Brewing.
Creamy and light this is the perfect pairing with the flavors in this chowder.
This whole meal will leave you satisfied but not weighed down and napping on the couch before the movie even starts.
The best part of this soup is that it’s easy to make. As always, I use frozen already cooked shrimp. This may not be popular but it’s one of my top convenience items.
How else can you use frozen precooked shrimp?
- Baked Coconut Shrimp Wontons (one of my most popular recipes)
- Shrimp Spaghetti
- Shrimp Cannelloni
How to make Shrimp & Corn Chowder:
Start by thawing the shrimp in warm water.
Next, wash and cube the potatoes, red peppers, onions and mince the garlic.
Once the vegetables have been chopped and the shrimp thawed add 2 Tbs to a large stockpot.
Now add the chopped vegetables, garlic, and thawed shrimp. Sautee the vegetables for 2 minutes.
Add the flour then stir it all together. Now add the corn, vegetable broth, and seasoning. Let simmer for 25 minutes.
During the last 10 minutes take a small bowl and mix together the milk and flour. This will thicken up the chowder. Now add the Parmesan cheese. Pour into the soup and let finish cooking.
Sprinkle with more Parmesan and shrimp if you like. Serve with crackers. And here you are……
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time | 35 minutes |
| Servings |
servings
|
- 8 ounces cooked shrimp thawed
- 2 potatoes cleaned and chopped
- 1 red pepper chopped
- 1 small yellow onion chopped
- 15.25 ounces sweet corn
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/4 tsp Spanish paprika
- 2 Tbs flour
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
- Paremsan Cheese & Extra Shrimp for topping
Ingredients
|
|
- Start by thawing the shrimp in warm water.
- Next, wash and cube the potatoes, red peppers, onions and mince the garlic.
- Once the vegetables have been chopped and the shrimp thawed add 2 Tbs to a large stockpot.
- Now add the chopped vegetables, garlic and thawed shrimp. Sautee the vegetables for 2 minutes.
- Add the flour then stir it all together. Now add the corn, vegetable broth, and seasoning. Let simmer for 25 minutes.
- During the last 10 minutes take a small bowl and mix together the milk and flour. This will thicken up the chowder. Now add the Parmesan cheese. Pour into the soup and let finish cooking.
- Sprinkle with more Parmesan and shrimp if you like. Serve with crackers. Enjoy!
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