Tasty Tuesday {Restaurant Favorites}

Happy Tuesday Everyone!


Today we are sharing some amazing recipes that replicate some of your favorite restaurant favorites! My favorite thing about re-creating a recipe myself is that I can control what does or does not go in it. I can change or add things and make it healthier.

Enjoy!



Chili's Copycat Queso


Here's what you'll need:

- 1 can Hormel Chili (no beans)
- 16 oz. box Velveeta cheese
- 1 cup milk
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 4 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

You can make this in a pan on the stove or in a crockpot. Mix all spices and the can of chili in pan/crockpot. Next add cheese and lime juice. Cut the cheese up so that it will melt quicker. You will add the milk in last as this determines the thickness. Put in as much or as little milk as you would like. Keep in mind that it will thicken more as it cools. Put in a serving bowl and enjoy!

Recipe courtesy of: The Blonde Can Cook

Baked Mozzarella Sticks

Ingredients:

- 12 sticks part-skim, reduced sodium mozzarella cheese sticks (Sargento tastes the best)

- 1 large egg, beaten
- 2 tablespoons of flour
- 5 tablespoons Italian seasoned bread crumbs
- 5 tablespoons panko crumbs
- 2 teaspoons parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 can olive oil cooking spray

Directions:

Cut cheese sticks into halves to give you 24 pieces. Place cheese in the freezer until cheese is frozen. In a small bowl, whisk the egg. In a separate bowl, combine bread crumbs, panko, parmesan cheese and dried parsley. Dip the frozen sticks in flour, shaking off the excess, then into the egg, then coat with the crumbs. Repeat this process with the remaining cheese placing them on a tray with wax paper. Place cheese back into the freezer until ready to bake (this is a must or they will melt before the crumbs get golden).

When ready to bake preheat oven to 400 F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly spray with oil. Place frozen cheese sticks on baking sheet. Spray the tops of the mozzarella sticks with a little more oil and bake in the bottom third of your oven until crisp, about 4 to 5 minutes. Turn and bake and additional 4 to 5 minutes watching them closely so they don't melt.

Makes 24 pieces.

Courtesy of: skinnytaste.com