Queso Blanco Dip

This Queso Blanco Dip has just enough kick to keep things interesting, but it's mild enough for anyone to love. It's perfect for parties, tailgating, or just hanging out on the weekend. The salsa verde adds a certain chunkiness and heat, while the cream cheese and sour cream give it a smooth texture and a balance to the spice, giving it a full flavor, without an actual burn. If you're a spice lover, adding diced jalapeños takes things up a notch. 

Ingredients:

Nesco® 1.5 QT. Slow Cooker
16 oz. cream cheese
32 oz. salsa verde (medium)
7 cloves minced garlic
3 cups sour cream
16 oz. package shredded Cheddar Jack Cheese
Chopped green onions for garnish
Tortilla chips or veggies for dipping

Combine all ingredients in Nesco Slow Cooker. Cook on Low heat for 3 hours, stirring every half hour. Dip is ready when all ingredients are heated through and well blended. Garnish and serve immediately. 

Party Coffee Ingredients

For your next party treat your guest to a cup of Fresh Brewed Coffee from your NESCO 25 Cup Coffee Urn. In addition to having cream and sugar for added flavor, try having one or more of these added ingredients on the side. Your guest will love them.

- Chocolate syrup

- Whipped cream

- Cinnamon sugar or sticks

- Dark or light rum

- Almond or coconut milk

- Ice cream

- Cocoa powder

Let us know what you think, and what are some of your favorite coffee ingredients?

Cheesy Spinach Dip

The NESCO 1.5 Quart Slow Cooker is perfect for making Cheesy Spinach Dip and keeping it warm on your party buffet table. To kick your Spinach Dip up a bit simply add the optional chopped Jalapeno peppers. 

8 oz cup Monterey Jack Cheese, cut into pieces

4 oz cream cheese, softened

5 oz frozen chopped spinach, thawed & thoroughly drained

1 large tomato, skinned, seeded, chopped

1/2 medium onion, finely chopped

1/4 cup half-and-half

1 whole Jalapeno Peppers, chopped (optional) 

crackers, cocktail rye bread or fresh cut vegetables to serve.

Set NESCO Slow Cooker to HIGH. Lightly wipe cook pot with cooking oil.

In mixing bowl, combine all ingredients; stir until well blended. 

Spoon into preheated cook pot. Cover; bake 30 to 40 minutes or until center is set and edges are puffed. 

When heated, set control to AUTO. 

Serve warm with crackers, cocktail rye bread or your choice of cut fresh vegetables. 

Serves 8 to 10

Let us know some of your favorite slow cooker dip recipes.

Party Mix

One thing guests love reaching for at a party is a big bowl of party mix. NESCO Roaster Ovens help make it simple and convenient. The possibilities of ingredients are almost endless. Here is a quick recipe along with suggested additions.

10 cups crispy rice squares cereal

10 cups crispy wheat squares cereal

1 cup butter, melted

1/4 cup Worcestershire® sauce

2 cups peanuts

4 cups thin pretzels

Preheat NESCO® Roaster Oven to 300º F. Place cereal in cookwell. Stir butter and Worcestershire® sauce together and pour over cereal. 

Cover and bake at 300º F for 45 to 60 minutes. Stir occasionally during baking. Add nuts and pretzels. Cool before serving or storing in airtight container.

Serves 50.

Try one these additions when melting the butter:

• 2 Tbsps. of taco seasoning

• 1 clove minced garlic

After cooling add one or more of the following ingredients for a tastier mix:

• Diced pieces of dehydrate fruits or veggies

• Roasted pecans, cashews or almonds

• Toasted pumpkin seeds

• Coated chocolate bites

• Granola clusters

• Toasted coconut 

• Cheese puffs

• Crispy Asian noodle pieces

•

Broken pieces of tortilla chips

Let us know some of your favorite party mix recipes or tasty added ingredients.

Freeze Your Own Homemade TV Dinner

NESCO/American Harvest Vacuum Sealers are ideal for storing all types of food items. Vacuum sealing locks in freshness and flavor. Ordinary storage methods trap air in with your food causing it to loose nutrition and taste.

NESCO/American Harvest Vacuum Sealers are great for frozen plan-ahead meals and single serving meals, or, as we like to call them TV Dinners. Unlike prepackaged store dinners you get to decide the food items and amounts in each meal. At the same time you can avoid unwanted ingredients often found in premade processed foods. And, you'll be saving money!

Try making up your own TV Dinners with a Vacuum Sealer from NESCO/American Harvest. Let us know some of your favorites.

Cooking Tips Using Bacon Fat

Almost anyone you talk with will tell you they love the taste of bacon. Here are a few bacon flavor tips when cooking with your NESCO 12” Electric Skillet.

§  Next time you make fried or scrambled eggs try substituting bacon fat in place of butter or oil.

§  After you fry bacon in you NESCO Electric Skillet use the drippings to make hot bacon dressing. It generally is served over spinach however other greens can work just as well.

§  Bacon drippings are also great for cooking greens such as kale and Brussels sprouts.

§  Next time you sauté shrimp or scallops try using a bit if bacon fat.

§  People often like to use bacon fat when making pancakes for a light smoky flavor.  And the perfect side to those pancakes – crispy bacon of course.

§  Bacon drippings also add a nice flavor to homemade skillet corn bread.

Try some of these bacon fat tips and let us know what you think. Also, let us know some of your favorite ways to cook with bacon drippings.

Toast Topping Tips

We all know of our traditional toast toppings such as our favorite butter, PB&J, cream cheese and so on. However it's fun to venture out.  Next time you make perfectly done toast in your NESCO Two Slice Toaster try one or more of the following. Let us know what you think, or some of your favorite or unusual toppings.

1. Peanut butter and mayo

2. Cold meatloaf and ketchup

3. Cheddar cheese and apple butter

4. Fried Spam and sliced pineapple

5. Peanut butter with a few drizzles of chocolate syrup

6. Cake frosting and crushed dried fruit

7. Cream cheese, cinnamon and thin sliced apple

8. Chocolate frosting, kiwi and pomegranate seeds

9. Chocolate frosting, marshmallows and pomegranate seeds

Chicken Roasting Tips

There are many great tips when roasting chickens in your NESCO 18 Quart Roaster oven. Here are a few to try.

1. Cook more than one chicken at a time. Your 18 Quart Roaster Oven can hold up to the chickens at a time. You can have one now and save the others for various recipes that call for cooked chicken, like chicken tacos or tasty chicken salad.

2. Some people like to tie the wings and legs down then cook their whole chicken breast side down for about twenty minutes. Then they turn it breast side up and finish cooking until done. It helps make for juicer white meat.

3. Try rubbing dried herbs under the breast and leg skin for a wonderful flavor. To do so take your fingers and very carefully separate the skin from the meat leaving skin attached in the back. Then sprinkle in and lightly spread your favorite dried herb over meat. Dried tarragon is great. Press skin back over meat. Tie legs together, roast and enjoy.

Try some of these tips and let us know what you think. Also let us know some of your favorite tips.

Candied Sweet Potatoes

If you like yams you’ll love this recipe for Orange-Flavored Candied Yams made simple in your NESCO 11 Quart Pressure Cooker. Grated orange zest really adds to the overall orange flavor. Brown sugar adds just the right amount of sweetness everyone will love.

Give this recipe a try and let us know what you think. Also let us know what are some or your favorite NESCO Pressure Cooker Recipes.

1 cup orange juice

2 large sweet potatoes (yams) 

salt, to taste

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 tsp grated orange zest

2 Tbsp butter

Pour the orange juice into the NESCO® 6 Qt. 3-in-1 Digital Pressure Cooker. 

Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them in half lengthwise. Arrange in a steamer basket (if available) and sprinkle with salt, brown sugar and orange zest. Dot with butter. Lower the steamer basket into the pressure cooker. Lock the lid in place and turn regulator knob to SEAL. Program for HIGH pressure and cook for 8 to 10 minutes.

When cooking is complete, use the Quick or Natural release method and open the lid. Lift out the sweet potatoes boil down the sauce until thickened and pour over the sweet potatoes.

Tips for Whipping Egg Whites

Whipping egg whites can be quick and simple with your NESCO Digital Hand Mixer. 

When whipping egg whites it's best to use a metal bowl such as stainless steel or copper. Avoid an aluminum bowl as it can alter the color of your eggs. 

Adding a half teaspoon of cream of tarter for two or more eggs will help keep the whipped egg whites firm.

When making meringue add 2 tablespoons of white sugar for each egg. Add sugar slowly while beating eggs. Whip until stiff peaks form.

Try some of these tips and let us know what you think. Also, let us know some of the recipes you make with your NESCO Hand Mixer.

Heating Up Your Holiday Drinks

The NESCO 1.8 Liter Glass Water Kettle is ideal for making delicious hot holiday drinks. It boils water faster than a microwave and uses half the energy of a stovetop. 1500 watts of power quickly heats water for all your drinks like Tom & Jerry’s, hot toddies, spiced teas and hot instant cocoas.

For great Tom & Jerry’s the Internet offers dozens of delicious recipes. The base of hot water, whipped eggs and liquor makes the perfect foundation for a rich creamy drink. From there the added flavor combinations are almost endless. Grated nutmeg and cinnamon are a favorite. Try a few and let us know what you think. Also let us know what are some of your favorite uses for your NESCO Glass Water Kettle.

Tea Tips. Yummy Good.

This holiday season try using dehydrated fruits for a boost of flavor to your cup of tea. Start with a cup of hot water from your NESCO Glass Water Kettle and your favorite tea. Then add ground dehydrated dried oranges and dried cinnamon apple slices. This also works great with cider or plain hot water. Start with small amounts and adjust to your liking.

Another favorite of ours is just plain hot water with dried lemon slices from our NESCO/American Harvest Food Dehydrator and a mint leaf . . . mmm good.

Try one of these tips and let us know what you think. Or if you have a tip to share we would love to hear.

Whipped Mashed Potatoes

Delicious fluffy mashed potatoes are a holiday staple. Use your NESCO Hand mixer this season to whip up some potatoes in no time!

5 medium sized potatoes

1/8 cup millk

3 T butter

Boil a medium size saucepan half full of water, and add a pinch of salt. Add potatoes to pot; the water should cover the potatoes. Simmer for 10 minutes, or until potatoes are easily pierced by a fork. Drain.

Transfer potatoes to a large mixing bowl. Add butter or margarine and milk, and mash with a potato masher. When well mashed, whip for a minute or two with NESCO hand mixer set on medium speed.

5 servings.

Dill and Cucumber Salad

The NESCO 8 Cup Food Processor is the ideal helper when it comes to making this Dill and Cucumber Salad. It slices cucumbers evenly and fast, cutting preparation time to a fraction of hand slicing. The sweet and sour dill dressing is perfect with the cucumbers and will surely be loved by everyone.

Ingredients

4 large cucumbers

1 onion

1 tablespoon dried dill weed

1 cup white sugar

 1/2 cup white vinegar

1/2 cup water

1 teaspoon salt (optional)

Directions

Using the slicing blade, slice cucumbers in the NESCO Food Processor. Remove to a large bowl. Next cut onion into chunks to fit into feed tube and slice in Food Processor. Place in bowl with the cucumbers. Combine cucumbers, onions and dill. In a medium size bowl combine sugar, vinegar, water and salt; stir until the sugar dissolves. Pour the liquid mixture over the cucumber mixture. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.

Garlic and Herb Portabella Mushrooms

The NESCO Reversible Grill and Griddle works great for making Garlic and Herb Portabella Mushrooms. Equal amounts of shallots, garlic, basil and chives give the mushrooms an elegant savory flavor. Enjoy these tasty Portabella Mushrooms as a meaty main course or as a delicious side dish.

Garlic and Herb Portabella Mushrooms

4 portabella mushrooms, stems removed, rinsed and dried well

3 teaspoons olive oil

1 1/2 teaspoons diced shallots

1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic

1 1/2 teaspoons finely diced fresh basil 

1 1/2 teaspoons finely diced fresh chives

Salt and pepper as desired

Preheat electric griddle to medium. Place griddle near an exhaust hood, as the oil may produce smoke.

Place the mushroom caps on a plate. Add the olive oil, shallots, garlic, basil and chives to a bowl and blend well.

Spread the olive oil herb mixture evenly over the tops (the flat side) of the mushrooms with the small spoon.

Place mushrooms, flat side up, on griddle. Cook about 5 minutes. Serve as a side dish (sprinkle with shaved cheese if desired) or as the filling in a sandwich.

Yield: 4 servings

Creamy Herb Pasta

The NESCO 18 Quart Roaster Oven is ideal for roasting up to a 22 lb turkey. It’s also perfect for large size recipes when you have a sizable group to cook for.  This recipe for Creamy Herb Pasta serves 25 guests and is extremely easy to make. Simply add all the ingredients, cook for 45 to 50 minutes, and enjoy.

3 lb wide egg noodles, cooked, drained

2 Tbsp all-purpose flour

2 cups half and half

1/2 cup parsley, chopped

2 cups milk

1/4 cup chopped chives

4 Pkg (8 oz ea) cream cheese, softened, cubed

1 - 2 Tbsp Italian seasoning

1 cup butter or margarine, room temp.

salt and pepper to taste

Preheat Nesco® Roaster Oven to 425° F.

Combine all ingredients in cookwell; stir gently until well mixed. Cover; bake 45 to 50 minutes or until set.

To hold: Reduce temperature to 250° F and add milk if pasta begins to dry out.

Serves 25

NESCO 8 Cup Food Processor Easy Tomato Salsa

The NESCO  8 Cup Food Processor makes fresh salsa fast and easy. The recipe below includes green bell pepper for bit of crunch and color along with its zesty flavor. However many people prefer to use a yellow or red pepper for its slightly lighter taste. Also, for less heat simply remove the jalapeno seeds before finely chopping.

Ingredients

3 cups tomatoes

1/2 cup green bell pepper

1 cup onion

1/4 cup fresh cilantro

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

 4 teaspoons chopped fresh jalapeno pepper (including seeds)

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Place the tomatoes, green bell pepper, onion, cilantro, lime juice, jalapeno pepper, cumin, salt, and pepper in the food processor. Pulse to chop and blend. Serve  and enjoy!

NESCO Dehydrator Special Apple Snacks

People love these Special Apple Snacks made with the NESCO/American Harvest Snackmaster Dehydrator. Pineapple juice combined with a touch of sugar and cinnamon give these apple chips a wonderful flavor to be enjoyed everyday whether at home or on the go.

4 apples

1/4 cup pineapple juice

1 Tbsp sugar

1 tsp ground cinnamon

Peel apples. Cut into 1/4” thick rings or slices. Dip slices in pineapple juice for 1 minute. Place dipped apples on a mesh-lined Clean-a-Screen® positioned on a Nesco®/American Harvest® dehydrator tray. 

Mix together the sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle on top of apples. Dry for 6 to 10 hours at 135º F until crisp. 

Cool and store in an airtight container.

Seasonal Pumpkin Bread in the 18 Qt Roaster Oven

The NESCO 18 Quart Roaster Oven is ideal for roasting up to a 22 lb turkey. It's also perfect as an energy saving oven for making your favorite breads. This Seasonal Pumpkin Bread recipe can be made year round. However it's especially appreciated during autumn and the holiday seasons. 

1 cup canned pumpkin

2 eggs

1/2 cup corn oil

3 Tbsp water

1¾ cup flour

1½ tsp pumpkin pie spice

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1½ cup sugar

Preheat NESCO 18 Qt Roaster Oven to 350º F. 

In a bowl, combine pumpkin, eggs, oil and water. Mix well with your NESCO® Hand Mixer. In another bowl, sift dry ingredients together. Add pumpkin mixture and mix well. 

Pour into greased loaf pan. Place pan on rack in roaster. Bake 1 hour and 10 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. 

Remove from pan and cool.

Vacuum Sealers: A great way to preserve and store foods

NESCO/American Harvest Vacuum Sealers are ideal for storing all types of food items. Vacuum sealing locks in freshness and flavor. Ordinary storage methods trap air in with your food causing it to loose nutrition and taste.

NESCO Vacuum Sealers are perfect for protecting and preserving a variety of food items including cheese, vegetables, fish, wild game, and domestic meats.