PLATTSBURGH — By PRISCILA ORTIZ
Move over, Eli Manning! There's a new star this Super Bowl season.
Certain foods are staples at Super Bowl parties. Wings, chips and dip typically come to mind. One Plattsburgh woman has found a way to please the palate while incorporating these tasty flavors into one easy-to-make treat.
Sarah Samson's famed Chicken-Wing Dip has been dubbed "the best dip ever" by those who have tried it. Mixing the flavors of hot wings, cheese and other delicious goodness proves easily attainable with her quick and easy recipe.
While the oven is preheating to 400 degrees, melt one 8-ounce package of cream cheese in a pot over medium heat. Open up a can of chicken-breast chunks and mix it into the cream cheese.
Next, add 1 cup of sour cream and 2 tablespoons of ranch dressing. Stir the mixture to aid in the melting process, using a wooden spoon to mash the chicken into smaller pieces.
"For creamier texture, you can simply add more sour cream ... or in case you just need help filling up the pan," Samson said, laughing.
To up the ante, break out your favorite hot sauce and start with 2 tablespoons. This part can definitely be tweaked, as everyone's preference for the heat factor is different.
Samson judges by looking at the color; it should have a salmon tint at that point.
"You just have to do it, and try as you go," she said.
Once the cream cheese has completely melted, pour the mixture into a 2-quart casserole dish. Sprinkle a thin (or thick; who's judging?) layer of shredded cheese on top. Samson uses a four-cheese Mexican blend of Monterey Jack, cheddar, asadero and quesadilla cheeses.
"Place the dish in the oven for about 10 minutes, pretty much until the cheese bubbles and then gets a nice golden crust," Samson said.
When the cooking time is complete, take the dish out of the oven, and try to control yourself, as the dip will be very hot.
Bust out the tortilla chips and serve. As easy as that, you have now become the most popular person at the Super Bowl party. The flavorful dip melts on your tongue while the crunch from the tortilla chip gives it a balance in texture.
Samson first tried the dip when a friend made it for a work-related gathering.
"She made it for the rest of us, and I thought it was the most amazing dip I ever had," Samson said.
What Samson likes best is how everything can be tweaked to one's liking.
"My friend's recipe has blue cheese in it, but I didn't have any, so I improvised and used ranch dressing instead. It turned out great, and I like ranch more anyway."
Every time she makes the dish, it's always a huge hit.
"My mom still calls me every one to three months asking for the recipe. She called me last week for it, actually," Samson said.
If it needs to be made in a pinch, the dip can be placed in the microwave, but the cheese crust will be absent.
"It's really simple and quick," Samson said. "It doesn't cost much either. All the ingredients together probably ran me about $10."
The dip offers the taste of hot wings without having to buy piles of chicken.
Where wings and chips reign supreme, this Chicken-Wing Dip will be the king of this year's Super Bowl party.
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