Southwestern Broccoli Dippers Food

COWBOY DIPPERS

Steps:

• Add the mayo, buttermilk, sour cream, Worcestershire, hot sauce, salt and pepper to a bowl and stir until combined.
• Pour the dressing into the bottom of 8 cups and stick in a mixture of the carrot, celery and cucumber sticks.

CRISPY CHOCOLATE DIPPERS

Steps:

• Melt the chocolate wafers with the chocolate hazelnut-spread in a microwave or double boiler and stir together. Add the nuts and stir.
• Break the breadsticks in half and dip the halves in the chocolate-nut mixture. Dip the other dippers--pretzels, saltines and crackers--to coat. Lay on waxed paper and sprinkle with chopped almonds, chocolate chips, crushed mints and/or sprinkles. Allow to set before serving.

FRIED MANICOTTI DIPPERS

Steps:

• Cook the manicotti shells according to the package directions for al dente. Strain and place on a baking sheet to let the noodles cool to room temperature, about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, mix the ricotta, Parmesan, garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, 1 egg, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a medium bowl until smooth. Spoon into a large resealable plastic bag and snip 1/2 inch off of one of the corners.
• Push 1 mozzarella stick into the center of each noodle. Pipe the ricotta mixture into the center of each noodle (you may have to pipe into both ends to fill the whole noodle). Place back on the baking sheet.
• Set up a breading station with three shallow dishes: Stir together the flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in the first dish. Beat the remaining 4 eggs in the second dish and add the breadcrumbs to the third dish. Coat a noodle in the flour, then dip into the egg, letting any excess drip off. Finally, press into the breadcrumbs. Transfer to the baking sheet and repeat with the remaining noodles.
• Heat 1/2-inch of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and line a plate with a paper towel. Drop a few breadcrumbs into the oil; if they sizzle, the oil is hot enough. Working in batches, fry the noodles, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and the cheese is melted and starting to ooze through the sides, about 4 minutes total. Transfer to the lined plate and repeat with the remaining noodles, making sure to heat the oil back up between each batch. Serve with marinara sauce on the side for dipping.

V'S SOUTHWESTERN DIP

Steps:

• Mix sour cream and mayonaise together in a bowl.
• Mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl.
• Add dry spices to sour cream and mayonaise mixture Refrigerate for 2 hours to allow flavors to meld.

ROASTED LEMON-CHILE BROCCOLI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Put the broccoli on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Toss with the crushed red pepper flakes and lemon zest. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Roast until the broccoli begins to brown and crisp in places, 10 to 12 minutes. Finish by squeezing the juice from one of the lemon halves over the broccoli.

HOT SOUTHWEST DIP

Steps:

• Spread softened cream cheese in the bottom of a 9" deep dish pie plate.
• Layer, beans, onion, chile peppers and cheddar cheese
• Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until mixture is bubbly and cheese is melted.