I go mad in March… for college basketball! The games are always exciting and the college kids put their heart into each game. The tournament started last weekend, but there are games this weekend too, which means I can munch all weekend long. This week, I’m sharing some munchies your family will go mad for.
Nachos are always a hit in the Test Kitchen and I loved the addition of chicken to Amber Carpenter’s (Franklin, KY) Chicken Cheese Nachos recipe.
“If you like going to Mexican restaurants you will love my sister’s recipe for these,” thinks Amber.
Made with four ingredients (probably in your kitchen already), you can whip these up in no time. They’re cheesy and full of chicken. The chicken makes them more of a meal.
Amber serves them without additional toppings, but I think you could add your favorites. Chopped tomatoes or sliced jalapenos would be fantastic.
If jalapenos are a family favorite, then you may want to make Denise Paduano’s (Scottsdale, AZ) Cheesy Corn Dip With Bacon and Jalapenos.
“I recently made this for a potluck and everyone loved it,” shares Denise.” I served it with the scoop-style tortilla chips.”
Creamy, full of cheese and corn, this is one mighty good dip. The jalapenos add some heat but don’t make this corn dip extremely spicy. Bacon adds its usual wonderful, smoky flavor. A perfect snack for watching basketball.
“I was thinking about a heavy appetizer for a small church group and ventured into searching for some ideas,” reveals Denise Miles (Auburn, AL). “Did some swaps… Bing Bang Boom, Yum.”
Denise’s Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders aren’t your typical sliders. They’re hearty and meant for a meat lover.
This bakes into a big, thick cheesy slider. Nothing skimpy about these. The ranch is a nice complement to the shredded chicken. The mound of bacon is held down by a thick gooey cheese layer.
You get a bit of tang from the Dijon mustard. Brushing melted garlic butter on at the end is the perfect last touch. Serve these and watch them disappear.
Angela Pietrantonio’s (Woonsocket, RI) shared her recipe for a scrumptious and savory Stromboli. She explains that “It’s an Italian bread from Sicily.” She goes on to say, “Its center is filled with smoked mozzarella and basil.”
Serve this warm like Angela suggests and be prepared for a treat. This is a deliciously aromatic bread filled with a cheese basil swirl. There’s a touch of smokiness from the marinara and you taste hints of olive oil and rosemary in every bite.
You can dip Angela’s Stromboli in marinara sauce. And, you can also dip Sarah Farish’s (Montgomery, AL) Spicy Calzone in a sauce for a tasty treat.
“This is kid-tested and approved,” says Sarah. “It is super quick and easy to make on a busy weeknight. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.”
This recipe makes two large log-type calzones. What makes this calzone a little different, is adding the spicy smoked kielbasa. It’s a great addition combined with all the other flavors. These cheesy, gooey, easy, and delicious calzones will get two thumbs up from your entire crew.
These munchies are hearty enough that, if you make a couple, you won’t have to make dinner. Even if you’re not into college basketball, these Blue Ribbon recipes would make a fun munchies for a meal night. Happy Pinching!