Spicy Cheese Chip Dip

I grew up thinking that rubbery block of "meltable" cheese in the yellow package was the only way we could have chip dip or a base to a broccoli cheese soup. But then I started to look at it, poke it, read the label, and realized that was not what I wanted to put in my body. I decided to create a cheese dip that is healthy, one that has natural ingredients (that we probably already have at home), and one that leaves my husband asking for it again.

Chip Dip. Nacho Cheese. Chili Cheese fries. This sauce will do it all. Perfect creaminess, spice, and heat. I can't wait to try other variations with a different cheese and different hot sauce.
Here it is, the most addicting cheese sauce you may ever try:


Spicy Cheese Chip Dip
Servings: 4

1 cup Milk
1 tbl Cornstarch
2 tbl Frank's Red Hot Buffalo sauce
2 oz Neufchatel cream cheese
1 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Black Pepper
1 cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese

1. In a small saucepan, over medium heat, combine the milk and cornstarch. Wisk until smooth. Stir in the buffalo sauce, salt, and pepper. Once the mixture starts to heat, add in the cream cheese. Stir until the cream cheese is dissolved. Soon after, the mixture will begin to boil. Boil for one minute.

2. Remove from heat, and stir in the cheddar cheese. Voila! Cheese sauce.

Zucchini Orange Banana Bread

Mmm. Hot steamy bread right out of the oven. This one is sure to awaken your senses with hints of orange in one bite, banana in another, and the subtle undertones of zucchini. And not to mention the chocolaty goodness melted in every bite. This bread comes out with a super soft center and slightly chewy crust. Enjoy!



Zucchini Orange Banana Bread

Serving Size: 2 Loaves

1 Cup honey
3 eggs
3/4 Cup applesauce
2/3 Cup orange juice
1 teaspoon lemon extract
2 Cup puréed zucchini
3 Cups whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 bananas, mashed
2/3 c. chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and flour two loaf pans. I'm serious, flour them or you will be sorry! Not sure how? Spray the loaf pans with cooking spray, sprinkle flour in them, and coat the whole inside of the pan with flour. Dump out the excess.
2. In a large bowl, wisk together the honey, eggs, and applesauce.
3. Add in the orange juice, lemon extract, mashed banana, and puréed zucchini. Wisk again.
4. It will be soupy. But don't worry.
5. In a separate bowl, mix the dry ingredients: whole wheat flour, salt, and baking soda.
6. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring after each addition.
7. Once wet and dry ingredients and combined, stir in the chocolate chips.
8. Pour half the mixture into one loaf pan, and the other half of the batter into the second loaf pan.
9. Bake for 55-60 minutes until a knife or toothpick come out clean.

Calories: 1, 787 per loaf, 178 per slice
(10 Slices/Loaf)