Spice It Up! Add Chili Peppers to These Basic Dishes!

Like it hot? 

Of course you do! (If not, why would you be looking at this instructable)

When I was in college, I was like a lot of people in college...  poor, oh so very poor.

The best bang for your buck was to fix something that would last for a couple of days and that had tons of flavor for not a lot of dough.

The best thing I found was to add chili peppers to everything!

Step 1: DIP! (A New Take on Salsa!)

My mom got this recipe from a lady at a PTA meeting.  She made it, and ever since, I thought it was amazing!

The basic recipe that the lady gave her was:

Cream Cheese
Salsa
Shredded cheddar cheese

Now, I've made some changes over the years.  I've found that I like to add:

Chili peppers
Green Onions

Now, that gives it a kick.

For the consistency in the picture, it is 2 packs of cream cheese, 1 bottle of salsa, and 1 pkg of cheddar cheese. Add green onions and chili peppers to taste.)

The consistency may change per what kind of salsa you get.  However, each consistency has it's benefits and draw backs.  I recommend chopping the cream cheese into small cubes before mixing, because you'll get weird clumps if not.

(Oh, and by the way, I totally realize it looks gross, but it is SO good.  It is also really good to take to lunch with you, and on the plus side, no one will steal it because it looks gross!)

Step 2: DIP ( a New Take on the Cheese Ball)

Another recipe that my Mom used to make when I was little for parties.  That I spiced up with chili peppers!

Cream cheese
Green Onions
Dried Beef
Worcestershire Sauce
Chili Peppers

Combine cream cheese, green onions, some cut dried beef, a dash of Worcestershire and chili peppers in a bowl.  Make into a ball.  Cover in piece of cut up dried beef.  Serve with crackers!

It's amazing!

(We stopped rolling it into a ball, we just keep it in a tupperware container in the fridge. and munch on it sporadically.)

Step 3: Spicy Spaghetti!

I always like to add a little somethin' somethin' to my spaghettit sauces.

Take your favorite spaghetti sauce and noodles.

Saute chopped chili peppers and onions in a little butter (or olive oil), until onions turn transparent, and add spaghetti sauce.  Heat until it starts bubbling. Pour over some noodles.  ENJOY!

(A little spice with noodles goes a long way!)

Step 4: Spruce Up a Frozen Pizza!

I hate frozen pizzas! 

There I said it.

BUT...  I love spruced up frozen pizzas.

Frozen pizzas, by themselves, are SO bland.

So, spruce it up!

Saute some chili peppers and add to the top before you pop it in the oven. If you do it just right, you can have the chili peppers sauteed before the oven preheats.

Try adding chili peppers, onions, ham, garlic, and extra cheese to these pizzas.

It makes them quite yummy!!

Step 5: Make a Splash With Hash Browns!

Spice up breakfast!

Add some sauteed onions and chili peppers to some frozen shredded hash browns! Just brown in a pan!

Just add ketchup and enjoy!





On a side note: (Spruce up dull omelets by filling it with the hash brown/onion/chili pepper concoction. Yummy!)

Step 6: Dull Tuna?

Add chili peppers to your favorite tuna recipe!

When I was in college, I ate a lot of tuna.  It was cheap (33 cents a can for the store brand) and it could be eaten a lot of different ways.  I made a lot of variations.

Mayo
Mustard (honey, spicy, yellow)
Horseradish sauce
Peppers/Chiles (jalapenos, habeneros, bell)
Parmesan Cheese
Onions
Relish
Boiled Eggs
Green Onions
Garlic

It can be served on bread, pita, crackers.

Step 7: Crescent Roll Sandwiches

This is a recipe I altered after attending a Pampered Chef party.  They made a similar version, and I recommend playing with this recipe to taste.

Basically chop onions, ham, chili peppers in a skillet.  You want them to almost be done.

Take a package of crescent rolls.  Preheat the oven to the directions on the crescent roll packaging.

Spread the crescents with the triangles touching vertically. 

Now put down a layer of cheese, and the ham mixture, with another layer of cheese on top.

Then, take the corners of the crescent rolls on top of the  mixture.  It will sort of remind you of a fancy tea ring or filled pastry.

Bake.

Cut and enjoy!

I have also added mushrooms, roast beef, garlic, etc to taste. 

It is an amazing, quick, dinner for the family.

Step 8: Add Chili Peppers to Practically Anything!

Add chili peppers to practically anything!

Use your imagination.  If it is savory, it could be delicious with a little extra spice!

Ideas that I haven't yet tried (but hope to soon)::

Spicy Green Bean Casserole
Taco Meat w/chili peppers
Chili relish with hot dogs
Crab Cakes w/chili peppers