Game Day Eats: Loaded Baked Potato Chips

Good Morning and Happy “Hump Day”, everyone!

I took today off from work- not only to get some errands done and spend time with friends/family visiting from the West Coast this week- but I’m also getting ready to go live on-air for Morning Glory at Indie617 bright and early this A.M. before I head on over to the Black Rose on State Street to grab lunch and catch an acoustic set by The Wombats!

There’s going to be plenty of updates on my Instagram for those looking to follow along!

With last night being Game 1 of the World Series (go Sox, by the way!)– I thought I’d share one of my favorite “Game Day” and tailgating party recipes I like to whip up before my local teams’ big games. It’s a fun spin on loaded baked potatoes- since you can serve these like nachos, instead!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

  • 5 medium red potatoes
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 6 pieces cooked bacon, crumbled
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 3 tablespoons chopped chives

READY? HERE’S WHAT YOU DO:

  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Slice the potatoes into ¼-inch-thick rounds. Brush both sides with olive oil and arrange in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
  3. Season the potatoes with salt and pepper, and roast until they begin to turn golden brown on the base, about 15 to 20 minutes. Flip the potatoes over and roast until they are golden on the other side, 12 to 15 minutes more.
  4. Remove the tray from the oven and top each piece of potato with ½ – 1 teaspoon of crumbled bacon. Top with 1 teaspoon of cheddar cheese, and then return to the oven. Bake until the potatoes are golden brown and the cheese is melted, 6 to 8 minutes.
  5. Let the potatoes cool for 5 to 10 minutes, then garnish each with ½ teaspoon sour cream and ¼ teaspoon chives. Serve warm or at room temperature.

I could honestly eat an entire serving of these on my own if the opportunity presented itself- but sharing is caring and I made sure a couple of friends I had over last night to watch the game had enough of these chips to eat, too!

With plenty of nail-biting sporting events coming up, I know I’ll be making more of these in the next few weeks- and may or may not share them the next time around!

With a busy day ahead of me, I’ve got to get going- but here’s wishing you all a wonderful Wednesday! See you again on Friday!

xx

– Ashley –

Backyard BBQ Recipes: Mexican Street Corn Dip

When I was a kid, I was pretty easy to please at backyard BBQs and cookouts. Hot dogs? Cheeseburgers? Potato salad? Okay, sure- fine. I just wanted to jump in the pool with my little pink floaties strapped around my arms so I would eat pretty much anything that was put in front of me just to hurry up and get it over with so I could move onto the swimming part of the day (after waiting 30 minutes post-meal, of course!)

But now that I’m an adult who loves to cook and experiment with flavors, textures, and colors on my plate- those old standbys just don’t do it for me anymore. I need some variety- even if I have to prepare it and bring it to the party myself!

I found this great nacho/dip alternative online a few days ago while searching for recipes for different and/or unique dishes to bring to an upcoming Summertime get together my friends are having this coming weekend. The use of cotija cheese, corn kernels and lime really caught my attention and I had a trial run with the recipe this past Saturday afternoon to make sure it tasted as good as it sounded (Spoiler Alert: It absolutely does!)

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 white onion, minced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 cups corn kernels (fresh or thawed)
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • ¼ cup heavy cream
  • 1½ cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • Tortilla chips
  • ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • ½ cup crumbled cotija cheese
  • ⅓ cup sour cream
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (or more as needed)
  • 2 limes, cut into wedges

READY? HERE’S WHAT YOU DO:

  1. In a medium pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant, 1 minute more.
  2. Add the corn and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.
  3. Add the milk and cream and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the Monterey Jack cheese until it’s fully melted.
  4. Arrange the tortilla chips in an even layer on a platter, and pour the corn mixture evenly over it.
  5. Sprinkle the cilantro and cotija cheese evenly over the dip, and drizzle the sour cream across it. Sprinkle with cayenne pepper, then serve immediately with lime wedges.
  6. Sit back and bask in the glory of being the V.I.P. of the backyard BBQ!

The different cheeses, the cilantro, the corn and lime juice all blended really beautifully within this recipe- and the taste is a perfect mix of saltiness with just the right amount of sour for an extra tang on your tongue while you’re eating it. I shared this with family after preparing it and they enjoyed it just as much as I did- which is always a good sign!

The prep time for this dip is about 30-40 minutes- depending on how much of it you’re making- and it’s sure to be a hit at your next backyard BBQ, cookout, or beach party! I know I’m looking forward to making it (and eating it) again in the coming days!

xx

– Ashley –