Friday, January 30, 2015

“Mild Buffalo Chicken Wings” & “Frank's Red Hot Buffalo Chicken Dip” For Super Bowl Sunday

Super Bowl XLIX is nearly upon us. Plenty of fans will pack into living rooms, basements, Sports Bars and we can’t forget tailgating at the field. Fans will be looking forward to drinking beer, chowing down on plates of comfort food, and dressing in the colors of their teams, as they watch the big game. Then there are the commercials that companies pay an enormous amount of money just to run on the Super Bowl. We can’t forget halftime, a time when music and excitement will be running the show, especially now that Katy Perry's Super Bowl 2015 Halftime Show will be epic.

This years Super Bowl XLIX game is scheduled to be played on Sunday February 1, 2015 at 6:30 Eastern Standard Time on NBC. It will take place at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The two teams playing for the ultimate Championship is the New England Patriots vs. the Seattle Seahawks.

I, on the other hand like some people will not be glued to the TV set watching the game. I do not like football and do not even understand what is going on. I will watch the halftime show, sometimes but that is all.

My brother Chris

My family mostly the men, are true die hard fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers. My dad, and my brother are sports fans too, but it all seemed to start with my late brother Christopher. Chris was a fanatic with sports of all kinds, but he was a true fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers. So much so that when he had his son Nicholas he taught him all the aspects of the game including Football Fantasy. He had many of the Steelers memorabilia including tee shirts with his favorite players numbers on them, mugs, crying towel, hats, etc. You get the picture. As the years went on, Nick’s mom Lori and his sister Lauren became true fans as well.

Nick, Lori, & Lauren

Every year they try to attend game in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania when their team is at home. They always have so much fun and enjoyed not only the game but they have met some really nice people at the tail gate parties before the big game. They always dress in full Steeler regalia, hats, shirts and even put black under their eyes. Nick, (my nephew) is one of the biggest Steeler fans I know and so the tradition continues. If Chris, (my late brother) was with us today I know he would be very proud of not only his son Nick, but also his daughter and wife, who is always rooting for his favorite team.

So as we celebrate this special game, it is time to share two of my recipes. One is called, “Mild Buffalo Chicken Wings” and the other is called, “Red Hot Buffalo Chicken Dip.” These are recipes were adapted from Frank’s Red Hot Sauce. 

“Mild Buffalo Chicken Wings”


Serve hot with celery sticks or veggies.

  
Makes: 6 servings

Ingredients:
2 1/2 lbs. chicken wing pieces
3/4 cup Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo Wings Sauce
2 Tbsp. Ranch Salad Dressing

Directions:
Bake wings in foil-lined pan at 500°F on lowest oven rack for 20 to 25 minutes until crispy, turning once. Toss wings in Buffalo Wing Sauce and ranch dressing to coat.

Tips:
Or substitute 1/2 cup Frank’s Red Hot Sauce, 1/3 cup melted butter and 2 tbsp. ranch salad dressing.

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“Frank's Red Hot Buffalo Chicken Dip”

This robust creamy dip tastes like Buffalo Chicken Wings but without the mess! Serve hot with celery sticks or veggies.

Makes: 4 cups dip


Ingredients:
1 (8 oz. pkg.) Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 cup Frank’s Red Hot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce or Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo Wings Sauce
1/2 cup blue cheese or ranch dressing
2 cups shredded cooked chicken
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese or your favorite shredded cheese, (cheddar)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine all ingredients in a 1-quart baking dish. Bake 20 minutes or until mixture is heated through, stir. Garnish as desired. Serve with crackers, vegetables, or corn chips.


Tips:

Reduced Calorie Recipe: Substitute Neufchatel cheese for the cream cheese, and low fat options for the salad dressing and blue cheese.

Microwave Directions: Prepare as above. Place in microwave-safe dish. Microwave, uncovered, on High 5 minutes until hot, stirring halfway through cooking.

Slow Cooker Method: Combine ingredients as directed above. Place mixture into small slow cooker. Cover pot. Heat on High setting for 1 1/2 hours until hot and bubbly or on Low setting for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Stir.

Tailgating Tip: Prepare dip ahead and place in heavy disposable foil pan. Place pan on grill and heat dip until hot and bubbly. 




Till Next Time………………………………......

Copyright © 2015 “Family Plus Food Equals Love” All Right Reserved

10 comments:

  1. Good morning Dottie ,
    What a wonderful tribute to your brother , he will at the game with his family in their hearts and spirits .
    What wonderful memories they must have of Chris . Like you , I will enjoy the snacks , fun , as you know I am in football country , N.O. Saints , Dallas Cowboys and a hot of college teams . I don't have a favorite this year , so I am betting on the winner , can't lose HUH .
    The wings and dip sounds so good , I will add the dip , you know there will be all type of wings .
    I also heard Katy Perry will introduce the surprise guest at the game . Thanks for sharing dear friend , have a warm , safe and blessed weekend . !Nee~ :)

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    1. Good evening Nee,
      Thank you for your lovely comment. Yes, my brother Chris is always in our hearts and minds. But days like the Super Bowl always brings back memories of his love of the game. Love what you said, "That you are betting on the winner, can't lose!" So funny and so true...I agree that the snacks and foods that are served on this day are amazing! So many delicious goodies. I am sure that wings are over done..but I really liked this Cheesey Chicken Dip. I will be watching half time...be interesting to see what Katy has in store. Thanks for visiting, and enjoy your game day! Yes, we are going to get more snow and it is fridgid here. Be safe and warm dear friend!
      Dottie :)

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  2. A lovely tribute to your brother. He was really a good looking man.
    I love your recipes here with an American flavour! Chicken wings are very very popular in England and we know the recipe comes from the USA. They are so tasty!
    The Buffalo chicken dip looks nice and warming for the winter. Thank you for sharing this, it is interesting.
    I wish you a lovely weekend dear Dottie!

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    Replies
    1. Dear Alida,
      Thanks for your comment and yes my brother Chris was very handsome and a good person. He left us too soon for sure..always in our hearts and minds. But days like the Super Bowl always brings back memories of his love of the game.I tried to have a few recipes that would show how we celebrate the Super Bowl Sunday here in the USA. Yes the wings are yummy as you know being you have wings in England, but I realy enjoyed the Cheesey Chicken Dip.It brings a different level to a dip. Thank you dear friend for visiting, keep safe, warm, and have a fun weekend ...
      Dottie :)

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  3. What a beautiful and yes, tasty post Dottie.

    We didn't watch much football at our house when growing up. My son use to watch it when he lived home but I still just never got the grasp of it:)

    Your wings and dip are so football festive. Just because I don't watch it doesn't mean I can't have some hot stuff now does it?

    Thank you so much for sharing, Dottie...Enjoy the game, stay warm:)

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    1. Good afternoon Louise,
      So nice to hear from you..thanks for your comment. Only the men in my family watched football or any sports. My dad is a baseball fanatic and also loves football too. But my brothers loved all sports as well. When some one would get a goal, or a run, there would be screaming in the house...I like you, can not get a grasp on the whole thing. Except maybe ice skateing and of course the horse racing. (Derby), that I love. If you make it you can eat it! That is what I say, dear friend..whether you watch the game or not...so enjoy the wings and the cheesy chicken dip. Thanks for your visit and you have a day that warms your heart...Hope that Marion is doing well. It was -10 this morning here...too cold!
      Dottie :)

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  4. Dottie, wish I had seen this before the Super Bowl! We are all sports fans here, and my family was when I was growing up so I get it about your brother. You have nice memories of him. I will be making that great dip one day soon, I hope.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Pam,
      Thanks for your comment...I hope that you had a wonderful Super Bowl gathering. Glad that you get it about sports and the family...sometimes there was a roar in the house that was over powering from the thrill of the game. Yes, these two recipes are a great game day recipe. Glad that you like the dip, try it anytime, it doesn't have to be for super bowl. Have a great week ahead..
      Dottie :)

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  5. Dear Dottie, It must be with joy and a tugging at your heartstrings that these memories fill you, I am very sure that your brother would be happy that the tradition of the football games live on.
    Your recipes are wonderful for any gathering. I would very much enjoy all that you have posted.
    Please keep safe in this cold and slippery weather. I think we have a ways to go before the spring breaks through. Keep warm and cozy my friend.
    xoxoxo Catherine

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    Replies
    1. Dear Catherine,
      I have to catch up, every once in a while blogs pile up..You know how that is..Thanks for your visitng and comment..Yes, dear friend, not a day goes by without me thinking of my brother Chris. We were very close. But have to know that God has a plan..I am sure he was watching from heaven. Yes, these recipes you can make at anytime of the year and especially the dip is really good, with the chicken inside. This weather is a little crazy, more snow today on top of the rain and ice...I don't go anywhere when the weather is like this. I think you are correct, the ground hog says 6 more weeks of winter. Just hope that they are now snowy days till Spring. You too keep warm and safe...Have a blessed week ahead.. I will get to your blog soon...
      Dottie :)

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