Add Kick To Your Holiday Party Recipes With Tabasco Sauces

Judith Hannemann — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 14:00:00 +0000

This shop has been compensated by #CollectiveBias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone

Tabasco Chipotle Fried Bacon

A little Tabasco® is the secret to delicious party food. It’s the key ingredient that makes these holiday party recipes, batter dipped bacon and a great queso dip, extra smoky and flavorful.

#SeasonedGreetings! Tis the time for holiday parties! So start planning for yours–I’m planning mine right now.

Chances are these are not sit-down formal affairs such as dinner parties, but more likely casual get-togethers where appetizers and assorted nibblers are served.

My plan is to keep it simple–yet tasty. Since my friends and I love the taste that chipotle peppers imparts to lots of foods, I couldn’t wait to try adding Tabasco Chipotle Pepper Sauce in some of my best-loved party food.

Tabasco Original, Green Jalapeno and Chipotle

I was able to easily find all three Tabasco varieties in the condiment aisle at my local Price Chopper on my last shopping trip. I’ve used the original flavor for years but have never tried the Green Jalapeno nor the Chipotle flavor, so I bought all three varieties!

This year, I’m making an old stand-by queso dip, but with a new twist added and decided to experiment with fried bacon that is batter dipped.

Tabasco Chipotle Chicken Queso Dip

I’d seen bacon done this way on an old show I used to watch, but that used pancake batter and I wanted to do something different with the batter. That’s where the Tabasco Chipotle comes in!

Tabasco Chipotle Batter Dipped Fried Bacon

The Tabasco makes the batter smoky and spicy–which enhances the rich flavor of the bacon. This bacon is so crisp and flavorful, it will be a real hit. Watch it disappear!

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Tabasco Appetizers

A little Tabasco® is the secret to delicious party food. It’s the key ingredient that makes these holiday party recipes, batter dipped bacon and a great queso dip, extra smoky and flavorful.

Prep Time15

Cook Time20

Total Time35

Course: Appetizers

Cuisine: American

Keyword: appetizers, tabasco

Servings: 12 people

Calories: 403kcal

Author: Judith Hannemann

Ingredients

QUESO DIP

1 lb Velveeta cut into cubes
4 oz cream cheese cut in cubes
16 oz fire roasted diced tomatoes
1 cup shredded cooked chicken
2-3 tbsp Tabasco Chipotle pepper sauce
1/2 cup sliced black olives optional

BATTER DIPPED BACON INGREDIENTS

1 lb bacon don't use thick cut
1 cup oil for frying

BATTER

2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 tsp baking soda
4 tbsp Tabasco chipotle pepper sauce
1 1/2 cups water

Instructions

Follow photos for queso dip instructions

BATTER DIPPED BACON INSTRUCTIONS

Heat 1-2-inches of oil in a deep pot (I use a dutch oven) or electric deep fryer to 375 degrees F. If using an electric deep fryer, please follow *all* manufacturer instructions on use.
In a medium bowl, mix the flour, salt, pepper and baking soda. Add only enough water to make a very thick batter (this was 1 1/2 cups for me, but this is dependent on atmospheric conditions, so your amount may vary). Add the Tabasco Chipotle and stir until well combined. Set aside.
Cut each slice of bacon in half so you have 2 short pieces.
Dip bacon pieces into batter, letting excess batter drip back into the bowl.
Place in hot oil (don't overcrowd the pan--fry in small batches so the battered bacon has plenty of room to move around. Fry about 4-6 pieces at a time). Fry a total of 10 minutes, turning each slice once midway in the cooking time.
Drain on a plate lined with paper towels. Bacon may be kept warm in a 200 degree F oven while frying additional batches.

Nutrition

Pictorial Directions for Queso Dip:

Shred the chicken. Cut cheeses into cubes.

Ingredients for the queso dip

Place the cheeses and the entire can of diced tomatoes (don’t drain the liquid) in a large bowl. Microwave on HI (full power) for 1 minute; stir. Continue to microwave on HI for 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until cheeses are melted and mixture is smooth.

Microwave and stir until smooth

Add the Tabasco Chipotle and shredded chicken; stir. Stir in olives (if using).

Add the chicken and Tabasco Chipotle

Serve with tortilla chips, corn chips or pretzels.

Enjoy!