Taco Bites

I bought a package of scoop tortilla chips for a party a while back and never ended up using them. We could have just eaten them with chips and salsa, but I was in need of a yummy dinner to feed my little family. I'd seen some things along these lines - so I just decided to go for it and make things up as I went along. Let me say - it was delicious. I would definitely make it again if I was making it for a party/appetizer. However, as a dinner it was a little time consuming and in the future I'll probably just make some loaded nachos (using the same ingredients, but just piling everything on top of some chips) instead as I think it would taste just as yummy. But, as I said - I love this idea for a party or appetizer.

Taco Bites
Source: The Peaden Kitchen

Ingredients:
1 pkg scoop shaped tortilla chips
1 can refried beans
1/2 lb hamburger, browned
1 cup salsa
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions:
Layer scoops in bottom of a metal baking pan. Carefully layer each individual scoop with refried beans, meat, salsa, and cheese. Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted and beans are warm. Serve immediately.

Creamy Ranch Pizza

It's no secret, David and I love Hidden Valley Ranch dressing. We are even shooting to be spokespeople for them in 30 years after we've taken hundreds of photos of us with out family enjoying our Ranch dressing (ala Jared & Subway). This is just one more way that HVR brings so much joy and deliciousness into our lives. 

Creamy Ranch Pizza
Source: Hidden Valley Ranch

Ingredients:
1/2 cup Hidden Valley Ranch dressing
3 oz cream cheese, softened
2 Tbs tomato paste
1 cup cooked chicken, chopped
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Toppings such as roasted red pepper strips, olives, green onions, bacon, etc...
Pizza dough for a 12" pizza crust.

Pizza Dough:
1 1/2 c. warm water
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. yeast
1/2 tsp. salt
3-4 1/2 c. flour

Directions:

In mixing bowl, combine water, sugar, and yeast. Let stand for 10 minutes or until yeast is bubbly.
Add salt and stir. Add about half of the flour and mix well. Gradually add more flour (usually between 3-4 cups) until dough starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl. Cover and allow to rise for 45 minutes or until doubled in bulk.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Roll out pizza crust and poke holes with a fork. Place in oven to pre-cook for 5-10 minutes or until slightly (slightly) golden brown. Combine dressing with cream cheese and tomato paste. Stir in chicken; spread mixture on crust. Arrange toppings on pizza; sprinkle cheese over all. Bake for 15 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Can you tell which pizza is David's and which is mine?