You've Gotta Try These!

I've recently discovered two recipes on Pinterest that I want to share with everyone because they are that good! The first is a bacon guacamole grilled cheese sandwich. When I saw the picture I thought the sandwich looked really good, but it's been my experience that a lot of times things don't either taste or look near as good as they are described or pictured. I'm pleased to say that this recipe didn't disappoint! Here's the picture and recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 slices bacon
• 2 slices sour dough bread
• 1 tablespoon butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup jack and cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 tablespoons guacamole, room temperature
• 1 tablespoon tortilla chips, crumbled (optional)

Directions:

1. Cook the bacon until crispy and set aside on paper towels to drain.
2. Butter one side of each slice of bread, sprinkle half of the cheese onto the unbuttered side of one slice of bread followed by the guacamole, bacon, tortilla chips, the remaining cheese and finally top with the remaining slice of bread with the buttered side up.
3. Grill over medium heat until golden brown and the cheese has melted, about 2-3 minutes per side.

The next recipe is for a buffalo chicken pasta salad. Again, I was a tad skeptical at how this dish would be, but again, it was really yummy. This cold salad is perfect for summer! Here's the picture and recipe:

Ingredients:
8 ounces small uncooked pasta (such as mezze penne)
1/2 cup Frank’s hot sauce
1/2 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon celery salt
2 cups precooked chicken or rotisserie chicken, chopped
1 1/2 cups crumbled blue cheese
1 cup carrots, chopped
1 cup celery, chopped
(optional) 1/2 cup red onion, chopped

Directions:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions to al dente in adequately salted water. Drain and rinse thoroughly with cold water (if serving hot, don't use cold water).
2. While pasta is cooking, whisk together hot sauce, oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder and celery salt in small bowl until well combined.
3. Place the pasta in large mixing bowl. Stir in chicken, blue cheese, carrots, celery and onion (optional). Slowly mix in desired amount of dressing. You may not want to use all of the dressing.
4. Can be served cold or hot. If serving cold, refrigerate until ready to serve. Makes 6 – 8 servings.

*Notes: If you would like it to be spicier, use more hot sauce and less olive oil. If the pasta salad seems dry after being in the refrigerator, add a little olive oil or hot sauce.


I definitely give both of these recipes an enthusiastic two thumbs up. If you try them I hope you love them as much as I do. Happy eating!