Homemade Sweet and Sour Sauce

This sweet and sour sauce is perfectly tangy and zesty! It will add a delicious flavor to just about anything and will only take you about 10 minutes to make!

I love a good sauce to dip things in and this sweet and sour sauce is no exception! Make up some Egg Rolls, Sweet and Sour Chicken, and some Pork to use this in and you will agree with me… It’s the best!

Sweet and Sour Sauce

I love sweet and sour sauce because it’s tangy but sweet at the same time. Just like in the name! You can use it to dip things in our you can completely coat some chicken, pork, or shrimp in it. It makes or breaks a recipe and this sauce will give you everything that you are looking for! It is a perfect consistency and is thick enough that you can lather this stuff on. I’m a big fan of sauce so the more the better!

Not only does this sauce taste fantastic but it is so simple and easy to make! The ingredients are not complicated and if you have 10 minutes, you can whip this up. In fact, double the batch and then save it for later so that you always have some! Kids can be pretty picky when it comes to sauce. It can’t be too spicy but it has to taste good. This sauce is just that! My whole family goes crazy over it! Go ahead and try it, you will never go back to store-bought sauce again!

What’s In Sweet and Sour Sauce?

Sweet and sour sauce is made from a bunch of ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen! See the recipe card below for a list of exact ingredient measurements.

• Pineapple juice: This is what will give you that zesty, fresh flavor!
• Rice vinegar: I like to use this rice vinegar from the store.
• Brown sugar: This will sweeten up the recipe and give it a deeper flavor than white sugar would give to it.
• Ketchup: Not only does this add to the taste but it gives it that beautiful red color as well!
• Soy sauce: This is my favorite soy sauce to use!
• Cornstarch and water: When you mix these two together, it will help thicken up the sauce to the perfect consistency!

Let’s Make Some Sauce!

Making this sweet and sour sauce will take you less than 10 minutes! It’s so simple and easy that you will never go back to buying this at the store again!

1. Mix: In a saucepan over medium-high heat whisk together the pineapple juice, vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, and soy sauce together.
2. Whisk: In a small bowl whisk together the cornstarch and water to make a slurry.
3. Combine and mix: Add the cornstarch to the saucepan and whisk it in.
4. Simmer: Bring to a simmer then reduce to medium-low until it thickens

Quick Tips

Sweet and sour sauce can be changed up to fit exactly what you want! Whether that’s more heat or more flavor! That’s the beauty of making your own sauces at home. They are quick and easy and you get to decide how they turn out and taste!

• Don’t use FRESH pineapple juice: When you are making this recipe, use pineapple juice from a can. Fresh pineapple juice has more acid in it and will break down the sauce. This will change up the taste and the consistency.
• Add some kick: If you want to add a bit of extra spice, try slowly adding in a tiny bit of chili flakes.
• Lather on meat: If you want to lather this on a meat dish and don’t just plan on using it for dipping then I would double the recipe!

How to Store Leftovers

This sweet and sour sauce can last in a jar or an airtight container in your fridge for about 2 weeks! So go ahead and plan all of your recipes around this so that you can make the most of it! It’s so delicious, you won’t regret it!

More Homemade Sauces to Try

I love a good homemade sauce! I’m the one who wants sauce dripping off of my burger and want all of my chicken completely covered in sauce. The more the better! And when I make a homemade sauce, then I have plenty to do that with! Here are a few more of my favorite sauces that we use constantly at our house! Try one or try them all, you will love them!

Dressings, Sauces, and Dips

Yum Yum Sauce

Dressings, Sauces, and Dips

Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce

Dressings, Sauces, and Dips

The Best Homemade Alfredo Sauce Recipe Ever!

Dressings, Sauces, and Dips

Homemade Cheese Sauce

Print

Homemade Sweet and Sour Sauce

Sweet and sour sauce is perfectly tangy and zesty! It will add a delicious flavor to just about anything and will only take you about 10 minutes to make! 

Course Sauce, Side Dish

Cuisine Asian, Asian American

Keyword homemade sweet and sour sauce, sweet and sour sauce

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Servings 16 ounces

Calories 37kcal

Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

• 1 (6 ounces) can pineapple juice
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water

Instructions

• In a saucepan over medium-high heat whisk together the pineapple juice, vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, and soy sauce together.
• In a small bowl whisk together the cornstarch and water to make a slurry.
• Add the cornstarch to the saucepan and whisk it in.
• Bring to a simmer then reduce to medium-low until it thickens

Nutrition

Calories: 37kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 225mg | Potassium: 28mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 19IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg

from The Recipe Critic https://ift.tt/3jahhWT
https://ift.tt/3AwE3Oq

Super Easy Beer Cheese Dip

Beer cheese dip is the creamiest, tastiest dip out there! It goes with everything and it’s the hit at every party. It has the perfect blend of flavors that will keep you coming back for more!

Dips are the absolute best and this one is no exception! You can dip just about anything in this and it will taste amazing. Start out by dipping it in this Crostini, these Pretzel Rolls, or this delicious Sourdough Bread. It will taste amazing with them all!

Why is Beer Cheese Dip the BEST?

Beer cheese dip is creamy, cheesy, and has the most amazing taste! It is so delicious and all of the cheeses and hints of garlic and paprika make this the perfect blend of flavorings. The texture is to die for! It’s thick and will stick to anything that you dip in it. I love dipping bread, vegetables (broccoli is my favorite!), and even pretzels or chips. I especially love how versatile it is and how it goes with just about everything!

This beer cheese dip is so easy to make and it is one that everyone will go crazy over! It only takes a few minutes to whip up so it’s a great one to bring to a last-minute potluck or party. And if you really want to make it fancy then you should make these homemade pretzel rolls to dip in it! This is one of my favorite recipes and I cannot wait for you to try it! I’m sure that you will love it as much as I do!

Ingredients in Beer Cheese Dip

Most of these ingredients you will already have on hand in your kitchen! There are just a few that you may have to pick up at the store. So read this over, grab what you need, and get to cooking! Once you try it, you will know exactly what you need for next time and it will be so easy! See the recipe card below for a list of exact measurements.

• Butter: I use unsalted butter in this recipe.
• Flour: Mixing the butter and flour will make a roux which is what helps thicken up the dip!
• Milk: Mix this in and whisk until it thickens. Don’t give up, it will happen!
• Beer: Any brand of beer will work.
• Sharp cheddar cheese: I like to make sure that my cheese is freshly grated. Freshly grateed cheese blends in better making a smooth texture.
• Gruyere: This adds in the most amazing flavor to the dip!
• Paprika: A sweet spice that adds to the overall flavor.
• Garlic: I loooove whenever garlic is added into a recipe, especially a dip!
• Dijon mustard: This gives it a bit of a zesty tang without being to “mustard” flavored.

Let’s Make Some Dip!

If you have 10 minutes to spare then you have enough time to make this beer cheese dip! It’s so simple and fast, you will want to cook it all the time!

1. Whisk: In a medium size sauce pan over medium high heat, add the butter and melt. Then, you can add in the flour and slowly whisk in the milk. Add in the beer and whisk.
2. Mix in the cheese: Add in the cheese and mix until cheese is melted.
3. Add spices: Add in the paprika, garlic and dijon mustard and whisk until it is desired consistency.

Tips for Making Dip

There are a few things that you can do to this beer cheese dip to make it turn out perfectly! Here are a few of my suggestions that can help you out!

• Don’t use pre-shredded cheese: Cheese that is already shredded has a coating on it to make it so that it doesn’t stick to the bag. This makes it so that the cheese doesn’t melt as easily with other ingredients! Stick to a block of cheese that you can shred yourself and the texture of this will be so much better!
• Keep the dip warm: To keep this warm when you are serving it, try using a mini crock pot or fondue pot! Make sure just to stir it every once in a while!
• Choosing a beer: A darker beer will have a more bitter flavor and a lighter beer will be less noticable. Either will work in this recipe!

How to Store Leftovers

If you are lucky enough to have some of this beer cheese dip leftover, then here is how you can store it and save it for later!

• Refrigerator: Once your dip has cooled, store it in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 4 days!
• Reheat: Take it out of your fridge and stir it WELL. Then, heat it up on your stovetop (stirring constantly) on low until it is heated through.

More Delicious Dips to Try

If you love a good dip as much as I do then you MUST try these other ones that I have rounded up! There is a variety so I am sure that you will find one that you like. In fact, I bet that you will want to try all of them and will keep coming back for more! They are all so good and full of bold flavors that your family and friends will love them all!

Dressings, Sauces, and Dips

5 Minute Million Dollar Dip

Dressings, Sauces, and Dips

California Avocado Dip (Salsa)

Dressings, Sauces, and Dips

Strawberry Cream Cheese Fruit Dip (2 Ingredients)

Dressings, Sauces, and Dips

5 Minute Pumpkin Pie Dip

Print

Super Easy Beer Cheese Dip

Beer cheese dip is the creamiest, tastiest dip out there! It goes with everything and it's the hit at every party. It has the perfect blend of flavors that will keep you coming back for more!

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Keyword beer cheese dip, cheese dip

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Servings 8 people

Calories 174kcal

Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

• 2 Tablespoons Butter
• 3 Tablespoons flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup beer of choice
• 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese freshly grated
• 1/2 cup gruyere freshly grated
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard

Instructions

• In a medium-size saucepan over medium-high heat, add the butter and melt. Whisk in the flour and slowly whisk in the milk. Whisk in the beer.
• Add in the cheese and mix until cheese is melted.
• Add in the paprika, garlic, and dijon mustard and whisk until it is desired consistency.

Nutrition

Calories: 174kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 201mg | Potassium: 74mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 458IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 272mg | Iron: 1mg

from The Recipe Critic https://ift.tt/3v0zpa1
https://ift.tt/3DrAk6t

Broccoli and Rice Chicken Casserole

Chicken broccoli and rice casserole is a delicious, easy, family-friendly dish! It is creamy and filled with flavors that perfectly complement each other! You will love it!

This recipe is amazingly delicious and you can’t beat a homemade casserole! After you’ve tried this one, go ahead and make Cowboy Casserole, Corn Casserole, or this yummy Sausage and Biscuit Casserole. You will love them all!

Simple and Delicious Casserole

I love a good casserole! There are so many out there that it’s hard to know which ones are worth trying. To help me figure that out, it has to check off a few boxes! It must be simple, quick, and easy to make and not have too many ingredients. Oh, and it has to be delicious! But that goes without saying. This chicken and rice casserole has classic ingredients like this homemade cream of chicken soup that I not only love but that my kids go crazy over! And, if you really want to go above and beyond, then you should make this amazing dessert to go with it. Your family will thank you later!

With a bunch of ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen, this casserole is something you can make at the last minute! I love that it’s all made in one pan and cooked together all at once. You get your grains, protein, and vegetables in one! This saves me from having to make more sides for dinner and is what makes this perfect for those on the go nights! Once you try it, it will definitely become a family favorite!

Ingredients in Broccoli and Rice Chicken Casserole

Like I said before, the ingredients in this are probably already things that you have in your kitchen! This makes it so simple to put together! See the recipe card below for a list of exact ingredient measurements.

• Butter: Because you are adding salt later, I like to use unsalted butter for this recipe.
• Onion: Chop up your onion into pieces similar in size so that it cooks evenly.
• Broccoli florets: Chop these up big or small, you can do whatever is best for your family to eat!
• Rice: You will cook this up before mixing it in with all of the other ingredients.
• Cream of chicken soup: You can use store-bought or you can try making this delicious homemade cream of chicken soup.
• Sour cream: This helps give the dish that creamy texture.
• Milk: Using milk will help to mix all of the ingredients together.
• Salt and pepper: Adding these in will help enhace the flavors of all of the other ingredients and give it some additional flavoring!
• Garlic powder: I looooove the flavor of garlic! It adds a lot of delicious flavor to this recipe!
• Cooked chicken: I used a rotissarie chicken but you can also cook up some chicken breast or use canned chicken in a pinch as well!

Topping

• Panko: When you mix this with the butter, it creates the perfect topping that will get crispy and golden while it bakes!
• Parmesan: Adds in the perfect flavor to top the casserole.
• Butter: You will melt the butter to use in the topping and mix with with the cheese and bread crumbs!

How to Make Broccoli and Rice Chicken Casserole

This casserole can be made in about 30 minutes! It’s the perfect last-minute meal that your whole family will go crazy over!

1. Preheat and sauté: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium sized saucepan add the butter and onion and sauté over medium high heat until almost tender. Add in the broccoli and sauté until they start to soften about 3-4 minutes.
2. Combine: In a large bowl combine the broccoli and onion, rice, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder and chicken.
3. Put in casserole dish: Spread evenly into a 9×13 inch casserole dish.

Topping

1. Combine, sprinkle and bake: Combine the Panko, parmesan, and butter. Sprinkle on top of casserole and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown on top and heated through.

Variations to Try

This broccoli and rice chicken casserole is perfect as is but if you want to cook it more often, you can easily switch a few things up and make it taste fresh and new every time! Here are a few ideas!.

• Vegetables: Try switching out the broccoli for other vegetables that you like! Carrots, peas, green beans or any ones that you really love! Or, you can even add a few more to the broccoli! Just make sure that you adjust the amounts. For example, if you add in one ingredient, make it 2 cups of each. If you want to use 4 veggies, add 1 cup of each!
• Rice: You can switch the white rice out for brown rice if you like that better. It will alter the taste a bit but be jst as yummy. Make sure to follow the directions on the rice that you are using because brown rice takes a bit longer to cook!

How to Store Leftovers

This broccoli and rice chicken casserole is just as good (if not better!) the next day! Here is how you can store it and reheat it for later!

• Refrigerator: Once your casserole has cooled then store it in an airtight container and place it in your fridge. It will last for 3-4 days!
• Reheat: To reheat your leftovers, place individual servings on plates and microwave them on high for 1- 2 minutes or until heated through.

More Casseroles to Try

If you love casseroles as much as I do then you must try these other ones! Casseroles are my favorite because they are simple and easy and my family loves them! There are so many options out there which makes it easy to find the perfect on to fit your family! Try one or try them all, I know that you will find more than one that you love!

Breakfast

Overnight Cinnamon Apple French Toast Casserole

Dinner

Chicken Tetrazzini Casserole

Dinner

Easy Teriyaki Chicken Casserole

Dinner

Squash Casserole

Print

Broccoli and Rice Chicken Casserole

Broccoli and rice chicken casserole is a delicious, easy, family-friendly dish! It is creamy and filled with flavors that perfectly complement each other! You will love it! 

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword chicken broccoli and rice casserole

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Servings 6 people

Calories 564kcal

Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

• 3 Tablespoons butter
• 1 small onion chopped
• 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
• 2 cups rice cooked
• 1 can cream of chicken soup OR homemade cream of chicken soup
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 cups cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken works great)

Topping:

• 1/2 cup Panko
• 2 Tablespoons parmesan
• 3 Tablespoons butter melted

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium-sized saucepan add the butter and onion and sauté over medium-high heat until almost tender. Add in the broccoli and sauté until they start to soften about 3-4 minutes.
• In a large bowl combine the broccoli and onion, rice, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and chicken.
• Spread evenly into a 9×13 inch casserole dish.

Topping:

• Combine the Panko, parmesan, and butter. Sprinkle on top of casserole and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown on top and heated through.

Nutrition

Calories: 564kcal | Carbohydrates: 64g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 84mg | Sodium: 805mg | Potassium: 511mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1038IU | Vitamin C: 55mg | Calcium: 161mg | Iron: 2mg

from The Recipe Critic https://ift.tt/3FwATxW
https://ift.tt/3oM8z4w

Apple Fries

Lightly battered and tender, apple fries are going to become your new favorite treat! A generous coating of cinnamon sugar and homemade caramel dip makes them even more irresistible!

I love anything in fry form. Whether it’s zucchini, sweet potato, or french toast, being bite-sized and dippable makes all the difference!

Easy Apple Fries With Caramel Sauce

This is the ultimate treat for all of you apple lovers out there! It takes 5 ingredients. That’s all! Chances are, you’ve got them in your kitchen right now, too! Apple fries are warm and tart with a slight coating of batter on them. This makes each bite soft, juicy, and tender with a bit of crispiness! The cinnamon-sugar topping gives them the perfect fall flavor. Then, all you need is your favorite sweet dip! In this recipe, I pair my apple fries with homemade caramel sauce, but feel free to get creative! Cheesecake dip is a classic. Marshmallow and chocolate peanut butter dips are amazing, too! Mix and match them all for your own personal fondue night!

Apple fries whip up in just a few minutes. This makes them the perfect after-school snack! My kids are just as obsessed with apples as I am, so these always get gobbled up. They also work great in school lunches; it’s a bite-sized dessert great for taking on the go! It’s time to get your favorite apples and make a batch. This is the tasty fall treat you won’t want to pass up!

Cinnamon Apple Fries Ingredients

Simplicity is key here! Only a few ingredients are needed for this cinnamony snack. The end result is irresistibly warm, soft, and juicy. You won’t be able to get enough! All measurements can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.

• Oil: Used for frying our apples in. I suggest using either canola or vegetable oil here!
• Granny Smith Apples: I recommend using Granny Smith apples for your apple fries. Since we add cinnamon sugar, it’s best to use apples that are more on the tart side.
• Cornstarch: Used to coat the outsides of your apples. Cornstarch gives them a crispier texture!
• Sugar: Granulated sugar is mixed with cinnamon for the perfect sweet coating!
• Cinnamon: For that fall flavor we all love!
• Caramel Sauce: (Optional) Caramel and apple is such a classic pairing. I like to make my caramel sauce from scratch! You can find my recipe here. And if you’re not feeling caramel, S’mores dip is a chocolatey alternative!

How to Make Apple Fries

Apple fries are so quick and easy, you’ll want to make them again and again. It only takes a few minutes of frying and tossing in cinnamon sugar! Whether your kids are wanting a snack, or you want apple pie without the hassle, apple fries are the solution!

1. Prepare Oil: To begin, in a medium-sized skillet, add vegetable oil about 1 inch up the pan and heat over medium-high heat.
2. Slice Apples: Next, slice your apples into ¼ inch slices.
3. Batter and Fry: Dip the apple slices into corn starch and add them to the hot oil. Then, fry for 1-2 minutes until they start to soften. With a slotted spoon, carefully remove them and place on a paper towel lined plate.
4. Coat in Cinnamon Sugar: Next, combine the sugar and cinnamon and roll the apple in to coat. Serve with caramel sauce for dipping.

Tips for Making the Best Apple Fries

You can tweak the flavor of your fries by changing your apple and the spices they’re tossed in. Here are my suggestions for making the best apple fries possible! You’ll love how they turn out.

• Apple Type: I love a good Granny Smith for baked goods, but these can be too sour for some people! Jonagold and honeycrisp are tasty substitutes.
• Graham Cracker Crust: For a crispier texture and added flavor, you can add ground graham crackers to your cornstarch mix.
• Adding Spices: Let’s be honest. We’re all obsessed with pumpkin spice right now. If you want your apples to have a little more fall flair, add some homemade pumpkin spice to your cinnamon sugar mix! This is my favorite blend of cinnamon, allspice, ginger, and nutmeg!
• Peel On or Off: This is totally up to you! It will slightly alter the texture. If you want a softer, more tender apple fry, remove the peel first! If you’re okay with a little extra texture, leave the peel on. This is my preferred way of serving them.

Storing Leftover Apple Fries

Apple fries are best fresh, but can still be enjoyed a few days after with proper storage! Trust me, your family will love having these around!

• In the Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
• In the Freezer: Let your apple fries cool down completely before freezing. Place them in a freezer bag or airtight container and store for 3-6 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
• Reheating: I like to add a drizzle of oil in a saucepan, add leftover apple fries, and warm over medium heat.

Tried and True Apple Treats

Apple desserts are amazing year-round. No matter how you serve them, the juicy fruit flavor shines through! You are going to love these other apple recipes filled with caramel, spices, and buttery, flaky crusts!

Desserts

Delicious Apple Hand Pies

Desserts

Homemade Caramel Apples

Breakfast

Homemade Apple Fritters

Breakfast

Apple Danish

Print

Apple Fries

Lightly battered and tender, apple fries are going to become your new favorite treat! A generous coating of cinnamon sugar and homemade caramel dip make them even more irresistible!

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword apple fries, fried apples

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Servings 4 people

Calories 300kcal

Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

• oil for frying
• 3 Granny Smith Apples peeled
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 Tablespoon Cinnamon
• caramel sauce for dipping optional

Instructions

• In a medium-sized skillet add vegetable oil about 1 inch up from the pan and heat over medium-high heat.
• Slice the apples into ¼ inch slices.
• Dip the apple slices into corn starch and add them to the hot oil. Fry for 1-2 minutes until they start to soften. Carefully remove them with a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate.
• Combine the sugar and cinnamon and roll the apple into the coat. Serve with caramel sauce for dipping.

Nutrition

Calories: 300kcal | Carbohydrates: 78g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 156mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 64g | Vitamin A: 80IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg

from The Recipe Critic https://ift.tt/2YDjcMq
https://ift.tt/3lsObn7