Buffalo Chicken Cannolis

So I really debated posting these or waiting till football season, but I decided they were too good to hold off on. I've been going through a little of a spicy phase. I can't get enough! Especially jalapeños...don't know why, what an odd craving.

I found these little gems on one of my favorite blogs How Sweet It Is . They really have the best recipes ever! And these were no exception.

I personally thought these were a great week night meal, but they'd be great for game day. I wonder how buffalo chicken became a staple of game day flavors. I bet Hooters is to blame. Seriously though! So many recipes especially around football season use this flavor. Is it more "manly" to eat? Is it because it's spicy? Messy?

If this really is a manly meal I can't really complain my college roommate Allie and I are all about buffalo chicken or "buff chick" as we so lovingly refer to it. It's just so good! There was this pizza shop around the corner from our apartment in the bronx they had the BEST buff chick pizza. I'm pretty sure I have a picture of me eating a slice at 3 in the morning compliments of Allie...

no time to wait till I got home...

Anyway, I recommend EVERYONE try these cannolis and not just on game day.

Buffalo Chicken Cannoli

20 Flour tortillas (I bought fresh ones from Rosa's)

24 ounces Canola Oil (or whatever you like to fry things in)

2 1/2 C. Cooked chicken shredded or diced

1 whole large celery stalk, diced or minced

1/4 C. mayonnaise

1/4 C. Prepared hot wing sauce (more if you want)(I used Frank's Red Hot)

1/4 C. Blue cheese crumbles

1/2 tsp. Salt

1/2 tsp. Black Pepper

Step 1: I just folded the tortillas over to make a shell and secured it with a tooth pick. (**advice: make sure enough of the toothpick is visible so you can get it out after you fry them!). 

Step 2: Use a pan or pot that can fit about an inch and a half of oil in it. Heat it so it gets super hot. You know it's ready if you can flick a tiny bit of water on it and it crackles and bubbles. Place the tortillas in the pan 2 or 3 at a time. The tortilla will bubble. I recommend taking it out popping the bubble inside the shell and putting it back in. You don't want to not be able to stuff the center. Drain them on a paper towel.

Step 3:  In a mixing bowl toss the diced chicken and celery. In a second bowl mix the mayonnaise and hotwing sauce together. (This is the stage you can add more hot wing sauce to get a spicier or more mild flavor). You do want to try to make it a little hotter than you actually want it because this taste will mix with the chicken and celery which will minimize the heat. When it's where you want it mix in with the chicken and celery. Stir in some of the blue cheese if you want (or you can just serve it in the left over hot wing sauce later).

Step 4: Stuff the cannoli shells with the chicken mixture. You will likely have to go from both ends to fill the shell. Do your best to push it to the center. Then you are done!

I served mine with bell peppers but you could make any side to go with them, or put them on a try with hot wing sauce and blue cheese in the center!! 

Enjoy!!

<3 Tanner

A Soup Every Man will Appreciate: Cheddar Ale Soup

Unless they are sick there is nothing harder then getting a guy to eat soup for an easy weeknight meal. Unless it's La Madeleine Tomato Basil...I don't know what it is about that soup that EVERYONE loves! Still, sometimes it's just to hard to come home and make a full meal every night. Soup (plus or minus a grilled cheese on the side) is an easy fix for that and a healthier alternative to a frozen dinner. Plus most of them take minimal effort. Unfortunately, for those of you with spouses or significant others eating soup somehow makes them less manly.

This recipe though was found AND COOKED!!!! by one of my guy friends Braden. He suggested this soup with potato nachos (a recipe for another time) one night to watch the playoff games. I have to admit when he told me it was a Cheddar Jalapeno Ale soup I was a little suspicious (rightfully so I think), but I was pleasantly surprised with how good it was! Beware that it definitely has a kick too it. It's a great fall/winter soup because it's a little thicker and heartier than say a chicken noodle.

Don't knock it till you try it because it was truly very good. Now that could change depending on what beer you use. Braden used the Alaskan Amber. If you want one that will for sure taste good I'd go for that. Stay away from anything too light or fruity. I wouldn't be surprised if Shiner went really well with this recipe. Be sure to comment if you try a certain beer you like!

You could also pair it with a beer bread or a sourdough to dip in the soup! Without further ado here is the recipe. Good luck!

<3 Tanner

Cheddar Jalapeno Ale Soup

1/2 Lb. bacon, 1" slices

2 stalks celery, diced

2+ Jalapeño peppers, diced (**we used 3)

2 cloves garlic, chopped

2 Tbs. butter

1/4 C. flour

12 oz. Ale

2 C. Chicken Broth

1/2 C. Heavy Cream

1 tsp. dijon mustard

1 Tbs. Worcestershire

2 C. Cheddar Cheese, shredded

Cayenne to taste

Salt & Pepper to Taste

Step 1: After slicing the bacon go ahead and cook it IN the pot you are going to make the soup in. When done scoop it out onto paper towels. Drain the pot, but reserve 2 Tbs. of the grease and keep it in the pot.

Step 2: Add celery and jalapeños and cook until they have softened and are fragrant. Then add the garlic and thyme and stir for a minute or two.

Step 3: Add the butter and stir till it melts. Slowly add the flower stirring constantly so it doesn't stick to the bottom.

Step 4: Add your beer of choice along with the chicken broth. While stirring be sure to wipe down the sides of the pan with your spoon so nothing is sticking. Add the bacon and cook for about 10 minutes. 

Step 5: Add your heavy cream, worcestershire and cheese. Cook until all the cheese is melted, but be sure that the soup doesn't reach it's boiling point!!

Step 6: Flavor as needed with the salt, pepper, and cayenne and serve it up! 

Enjoy!!!