Texas Trash

Have I got a week of food ready for you.  It's a week's worth of tailgate and football food with some delicious items that will double as football snacks or full on meals perfect for eating while watching the game.  And I'm starting off with a simple party mix with an awesome name that will completely kick the booty of whatever snack mix you've been enjoying up until now.  Smoky flavor with a spicy kick, this Texas Trash snack mix is delicious and hearty with tons of different textures and delicious goodies.  Pretzels, nuts, cereal and corn chips all serve as the delivery mechanism for a lovely mix of seasonings and spices, perfect for munching while drinking a beer and watching the game.  Although it's pretty tasty for movie night, too.

Blogger Challenge: Pay It Forward

I introduced you to Stephie at Eat Your Heart Out a few months ago for Foodie Pen Pals.  I sent her a package and discovered her blog, which I love.  The other day Stephie posted a challenge, Pay It Forward, and I immediately wanted to play so I could share the fun with all of you.

No Bake Oatmeal Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars

I was having one of those days when I needed to bake something.  My stirring hand was getting itchy and I was feeling a little chocolate deprived.  But what to do?  Bars would be quicker than cookies, but with my oven still acting up, I really didn't want to play the "is it done yet but not burnt game" that I've been dealing with. Enter these no-bake treats full of flavor--peanut butter, chocolate chips, and oatmeal goodness.  Yes, these would do just fine.  I ended up leaving just a few at home for Dave and I to enjoy and then took the rest to work.  One of my coworkers immediately said (I barely think he swallowed his first bite), "Wow. Yeah. I could totally eat nothing but those for 40 days and 40 nights."  While I'm not sure that's the best sustenance, these bars really are that good.

Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes

You know I love some buffalo chicken.  So I couldn't resist this recipe when I saw it.  I mean, all the buffalo chicken heat and flavor that I like in a sandwich form!  It's perfect.  I've got a couple more buffalo chicken treats coming your way as we move into fall and winter comfort food recipes, but these sloppy joes are great. Perfect for game day, and a quick, healthy dinner for those busy nights.  Served up on toasty buns with celery and carrot sticks and some ranch or blue cheese dressing and you've got a complete meal in less than 20 minutes.  What's not to love?

Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread

Ok, so I've got one last zucchini treat up my sleeve for the season.  Maybe you still have some squash lingering in the garden or saw them at the farm stand.  Or maybe you took my advice and shredded, drained and froze it so that you can enjoy more zucchini treats between now and next summer.  No matter how you get your hands on some zucchini, you'll be glad you did when you bake up this tasty bread.  A double dose of chocolate makes this bread so rich and delicious, you'll forget about the extra fiber from the added veggies.  And the zucchini adds moisture so this bread has a perfect crumb and makes a delicious treat for breakfast or a snack.  Chocolate chips strewn throughout provide sweet bursts of flavor, still a little melty if you want to indulge before it's cooled completely.