Ranch Dressing

The Best Ranch Dressing

In my opinion, a great Ranch Dressing is NOT going to come in a bottle. Mostly because the ingredients are so tweaked and skewed, in comparison to homemade recipes, to create a longer lasting shelf life. So you’re never going to get the flavor that is/was originally intended, if you buy into the preservatives. Fresh dairy is always going to conquer a powdered mix or a mix with just mayo in it. But, if a powdered mix is all you’re using, there’s a better way to make this dressing than just following the package instructions and I’m going to show you how to do that as well.

Ranch Dressing Recipes

First of all there are many different ways to make an amazing Ranch Dressing and, yes, it can be done with a powdered mix. The directions a package usually recommend mixing the ingredients with milk and mayo but I say that’s not enough. The base of my recipe can be applied to this as well and that means using Buttermilk, Sour Cream and Mayonnaise. Trust me. You’re dressing will be twice as good just adding those other two ingredients. But what else can you do?

If you like spicy food or dressings with a little kick to them, try adding some cayenne or dried chili flakes. It doesn’t take much to spice it up. Sometimes I’ll even dice a Jalapeno Pepper and add that, as well. And, if you really want to trick it up and make more of a Mexican Style Ranch Dressing, add an Avocado and squeeze in some lime. You’ll love it.

I while back, I posted a few salad recipes you might be interested in; Taco Salad and P.F. Chang’s Curry Chicken Salad. And if you want to really go pro, try this Dill Havarti with Seared Peppers. All three of these recipes are amazing, so be sure to check them out.

Ranch Dressing Ingredients:

1 cup Mayonnaise
1 cup Sour Cream
1 cup Buttermilk
1 tsp Dill, fresh or dried
1 tsp Parsley, dried
1 tsp Chives, dried
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1/2 tsp Onion Powder
1/2 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp White Pepper
1 tbsp Lemon Juice

Cream of Mushroom Soup

The Best Cream of Mushroom Soup

This Cream of Mushroom Soup is amazing and I’m not just saying that. I’ve been a huge fan of this soup since I was very young and, like many of you, I love mushrooms and I know a fantastic recipe when I taste one. It’s got that perfect sweet creaminess and mushroom flavor that you would expect this soup to have and it can be made in just a matter of minutes. There’s several different ways you can prepare this soup and I’m going to share some information that will completely change the texture of your recipe.

Mushroom Soup Mushrooms

If you’re wondering what kind of mushrooms you should use to make your Mushroom Soup, don’t sweat it. Just use what’s available to you. I decided to keep it simple, so I chose to buy White Button Mushrooms, but you could probably get away with anything healthy and edible. But, unless you’re looking to trip, I would highly recommend staying away from anything psychedelic.

How you cut the mushrooms, however, seems to make all the difference in the world with the actual texture of the soup. In the video tutorial I chop them in a food processor because it’s convenient, faster and less to clean up. But, the over all outcome of the Mushroom Soup changes, in both look and texture, vs. traditionally chopping the buttons by hand. Chopping them by hand leaves the soup more white and creamy. Blending them gives the soup a Cookies and Cream look with speckles of dark spots, from the chopped gills of the mushrooms, in the soup. This is also what gives the Mushroom Soup a real nice and different texture than you might be use to but I really think you’ll like it.

Cream of Mushroom Soup Ingredients:

8 oz Mushrooms, chopped
1/2 Onion, chopped
2 Cloves Garlic, chopped
2 tbsp butter
1/3 cup flour
2 cups Beef Broth
1 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream
1 dash Nutmeg
Salt and Pepper to taste

Shrimp Cocktail and Oyster Shots

The Best Shrimp Cocktail

In my opinion, Shrimp Cocktail is only as good as the seasoning. Technically the shrimp only need to be steamed or boiled in water but without salt or a good Crab Boil seasoning, the prawns aren’t going to have that much flavor. So, I highly suggest adding flavor to the water that soaks into the shrimp as it cooks. Even Bouillon or a good stock would be perfect. I also show you how to make Cocktail sauce. I know that it seams like a no-brainer but there are several different ways to make it and I show you 3 different versions in this recipe. First, the basic recipe, then I show you a more diverse recipe and, finally, the Bloody-Rita style Cocktail sauce recipe for the Oyster Shots.

Oyster Shots with Shrimp Cocktail

Originally, I just wanted to film a good Cocktail Sauce video recipe and post that to the blog. But, after more thought and deliberation, I realized I needed to combine that recipe with a couple of popular appetizers that go great with Cocktail sauce. So, in truth, you’re getting a 3 in 1 special and I decided that Oyster Shots and Shrimp Cocktail were the two recipes I wanted to share the most.

I’ve got such good memories of the few occasions that I ordered Oyster Shots. It’s only appropriate that I share my favorite recipe. The best version I tried was served with Tequila, which I have since realized is a Bloody-Rita style Cocktail Sauce.

Much like a Bloody Mary Cocktail, a Bloody-Rita is served with Tequila instead of Vodka and usually garnished with Lime. Margarita’s have been one of my go to drinks and I love a good Bloody Mary, plus I’m a big Oyster fan. So, needless to say, I fell in love with this Oyster Shot recipe the moment it was served and I ordered another round.

The Cocktail Sauce recipe I listed in the ingredients below is a hyped up version of the very basic recipe; ketchup, horseradish and lemon juice. It’s great with the Shrimp Cocktail but it’s even better for the Oyster Shots because it’s got everything you need to take it to the next level. Just add the Tequila and Lime and you’re on your way. Just be sure to use fresh Oysters and not bottled, canned or smoked oysters. And, I highly recommend you purchase the smallest Oysters you can find. If you need a tutorial on shucking Oysters, I’ve got a great step by step guide in my Oysters Rockefeller Video Recipe.

Shrimp Cocktail and Oyster Shots Ingredients:

1 lbs 16 to 20 Prawns
1 dozen Oysters
1 cup Cocktail sauce
1 1/2 oz Tequila
1 Lime
4 cups water
2 tbsp Crab Boil Seasoning, Old Bay/Slap Ya Mama/Zatarain’s

Cocktail Sauce
1 cup Ketchup
1 1/2 tbsp Horseradish
1 tsp Lemon juice
3 tbsp Chili sauce
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp Hot sauce

Be sure to follow the instructions in the short Shrimp Cocktail and Oyster Shots video recipe tutorial.