Bacon French Onion Dip

Snacks around the table are just as important, if not more so, than having dinner itself.  One can buy dips from the store, pre-made, but it's usually worth it to make your own.  French Onion dip is a classic, and this interesting twist definitely brings something new to the party!

Ingredients:
1 cup J&D's Baconnaise
1 cup sour cream (1 cup is the same as 1 eight ounce package of sour cream)
1 packet french onion soup mix

Equipment:
1 spoon for mixing
1 bowl
Measuring cups

Directions:

1. Combine Baconnaise, sour cream, and french onion soup mix.
2. Let set in the refrigerator for 15~20 minutes.

Serve with thick ripple-cut chips and enjoy!

Possible Alterations:
Baconnaise is tasty, but it can be both hard to find and expensive.  Once could probably get a similar result by using mayonnaise mixed with freshly made bacon bits, although that would be a less healthy option.  It should be noted that Baconnaise is actually somewhat  healthier than real mayonnaise, and, like Bacon Salt, is both kosher and vegan friendly.

Happy gaming!

Product Review: J&D's Bacon Salt

According to J&D's website, Bacon Salt is a low sodium, zero calorie, zero fat, vegetarian and kosher seasoning that makes everything taste like bacon.  It is low sodium, zero calorie, zero fat and kosher certified.  It does not make everything taste like bacon.  The flavour is roughly akin to that of Bac'n Bits, the soy substitute for bacon bits made out of real bacon.

That being said, the spice definitely tastes good.  The problem with Bac'n Bits isn't the flavour of it.  The texture is all wrong.  It's the wrong kind of crunchy, and it erodes in your mouth.  Bacon Salt, on the other hand, will dissolve into whatever you are cooking, adding the wonderful faux-bacon taste to your concoction without adding that odd texture that bac'n bits would add. 

Adding it to Chili, Macaroni and Cheese, or any other cheesy, spicy, or starchy dish definitely adds a nice touch to a meal.  It pairs well with Garlic, Chili powder, Cumin, and any other spice that works well in a chili.  It is also good in a sauce made out of Mayo and hot sauce.

It's fun to play with, and can add something extra to the old, tried and true recipes.  It's definitely not a kitchen essential, however.  I use it only occasionally, but that is more to do with circumstance than anything else.

I would recommend purchasing it if you see it in the store and you have some cash laying around.  I wouldn't recommend running out and buying it right now, this very instant.  It isn't going to make your food magically better, and it won't make you the coolest kid in the apartment block.  I have no regrets buying it, and would buy it again should the grocery store have it in stock.

Arbitrary Product Score: 4 stars (wouldn't write home about it, would buy again.)

The Classic BLT

Bacon. Lettuce. Tomato.
Classic.
Assuming you like bacon, you'd be hard-pressed to find a more tasty vehicle for its consumption than the BLT.  Makin' Bacon can be time consuming, but making the sandwiches isn't.  Bacon is also remarkably affordable, as is lettuce, tomato, and bread.

Ingredients:
Bacon (I like thick cut bacon for sandwiches)
Lettuce
Tomato
Mayonnaise
bread

Equipment:
Knife
cookie sheet
Aluminum foil

Directions:
1. Cook the Bacon.  Baking is my preferred method, because a lot can be made at once.  It is recommended to do this beforehand. 
2. Toast the bread.
3. While the bread is toasting, slice the tomato and wash the lettuce.
4. Now that the lettuce has been washed, rip it into pieces.
5. When the bread is toasted, spread mayonnaise onto each slice.
6. Put the bacon, lettuce, and tomato onto a slice of bread, closing it up with another piece of bread.

Voilà!  One of the most delicious sandwiches in existence, and it's on your plate!

Possible Alterations:
I honestly can't think of anything that could possibly make this sandwich any better.

Vegetarian Noodle Soup

Soup is a great addition to any meal.  Most people invest in condensed soup, which is fine, but making your own soup is relatively easy.  I've recently taken to making this soup on the cold days, or when there isn't much food left in the cupboard.  While I'm not making it wholly from scratch, it does much for a much tastier soup than that which comes from a can.

Ingredients:

• 2 quarts vegetable broth
• 1/2 bag of frozen mixed vegetables
• 1 package of Ramen soup
• 3~4 handfuls of shrimp
• pepper
• garlic powder
• Oregano
• Rosemary (optional)

Equipment:

• 1 3 qt pot
• 1 ladel

Directions:

1. Bring the vegetable broth to a boil
2. Add the frozen vegetables and shrimp in slow increments, as to keep the water from cooling too much.
3. Once the vegetables and shrimp are thawed, add the spices to taste.
4. In the last few minutes of cook time, add the noodles from the Ramen soup package.
5. When the noodles are done, place on low heat.

The soups is now ready for consumption!  Serve it up in bowls with some crackers on the side, and you're ready to go!

Possible Alterations:
There are many possible things that can be played with to make this meal fun and exciting.  I've used mixtures of fresh carrots and celery with frozen peas and green beans before.  One could add cubed potatoes, or sliced okra to add some different textures, and to make it much more filling.  If you come up with any great or interesting twists, feel free to let me know!

Happy Gaming!