Perfect Deviled Eggs

Ingredients:

6 eggs

3 tablespoons ranch dressing

1/2 teaspoon prepared yellow mustard

1/4 cup finely chopped celery

1/8 teaspoon salt

Paprika

In 2-quart saucepan, place eggs in single layer; add enough water to cover eggs by 1 inch. Heat to boiling. Immediately remove from heat; cover and let stand 15 minutes.

Drain water from eggs; rinse eggs with cold water. Place eggs in bowl of ice water; let stand 10 minutes. Peel eggs; cut in half lengthwise. Carefully remove yolks; place in small bowl. Mash yolks with fork until smooth. Stir in remaining ingredients except paprika until well blended.

Spoon yolk mixture into egg white halves. Sprinkle with paprika.  Chill until ready to serve. 

I skipped the celery because I'm not a fan but I was pleasantly surprised by replacing the traditional mayo in a deviled egg with ranch. I also added a dash of pepper and garlic powder.  Yum! 

Bacon Jalapeno Cheese Log

Ingredients:

2 pkgs cream cheese softened

3 cups shredded Mexican style cheese

8 slices bacon cooked and crumbled

4 jalapenos diced

1 onion diced

2-3 green onions chopped, optional

Olive oil

crackers for serving

In a sauté pan, heat 2 Tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and jalapenos and cook for 4-5 minutes until softened and beginning to brown.  Spread jalapeno-onion mixture onto a piece of parchment or waxed paper to cool.

Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat cream cheese till soft and smooth. Add Mexican style cheese and beat to mix. Add cooled jalapeno-onion mixture and 3/4 of the bacon crumbles. Briefly beat to combine.

Spoon mixture into a rough log shape onto a large piece of plastic wrap. Sprinkle remaining bacon crumbles and green onions, if using, over the top of the cheese log. As tightly as possible, wrap plastic wrap around the cheese log and press into shape.  Refrigerate until ready to eat. Serve with your favorite crackers.

Rather than doing this as a cheese log I did it as a dip in a bowl. It made a large batch and I found this dip is great on scrambled eggs or chicken breast as well!