Recipe Ranch Dressing

Recipe of the week

These two recipes offer something different for those looking to fix unique and out-of-the-norm dishes.

Caveman Pasta Salad (So easy — even a caveman can do it)

1 (16-ounce) package rotini pasta, cooked according to package directions

2 (12.5-ounce) cans chicken breast, drained and cut into bite-sized pieces

1 (2.25-ounce) can sliced black olives, drained

1 (15-ounce) can baby corn, drained and cut into bite-sized pieces

3/4 cup buttermilk ranch dressing

1 cup black bean and corn salsa

1 medium green bell pepper, chopped

1-1/4 cups shredded Mexican four-cheese blend

1 teaspoon pizza seasoning

Salt to taste

Pepper to taste

Lettuce for garnish

Grape tomatoes for garnish

In a large mixing bowl, combine drained pasta, chicken breast, black olives, baby corn, ranch dressing, salsa, bell pepper, cheese and pizza seasoning. Mix gently until everything is blended.

Salt and pepper to taste.

Serve on lettuce leaves and garnish with grape tomatoes.

Makes eight to 10 servings.

— Recipe submitted by Amee Messina of Houma.

Puttin' on the Ritz, I mean Mince! Puttin' on the Mince!

8 shortening bread sandie cookies with cashews

4 cups prepared Creole cream cheese ice cream

4 cups prepared mincemeat with apples, raisins, rum and brandy

4 red maraschino cherries

8 tablespoons root beer, chilled

Assemble four serving dishes, preferably stemmed glasses approximately 2 cups in size.

Crumble two cookies in each serving dish, preferably a stemmed glass. Add 1 cup Creole cream cheese ice cream, 1 cup prepared mincemeat with apples and raisings, rum and brandy, one cherry per glass and 2 tablespoons root beer per glass.

Serve chilled. Can be prepared on sight at the table.

Makes four servings.

— Recipe submitted by Donna Smith Zeringue of Raceland.

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Creamy Jalapeno Ranch Recipe | Confections of a Foodie Bride

- Confusion, wondering what the hype is all about over extra salty ranch dressing

They call it “Creamy Jalapeno.” And you either think it’s the greatest thing ever or you don’t.

I love ranch dressing, but I still fall into the latter category. To me, there’s not nearly enough jalapeno in it to be called “Creamy Jalapeno.” So we took our favorite ranch dressing recipe and swapped out a few things to give us a more jalapeno-y dip worthy of being called Creamy Jalapeno.

It’s great on fish tacos (that’s what I always order at Chuy’s). Or as a chip/flauta/taquito/Mexican eggroll dipper. Or on salad.

Ranch Dressing

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