Let's Get Cheesy...Day 7 of #10DaysofTailgate....Dunkin Duck

Dips are always a big hit at any party but especially a tailgate party where people don't want to wander too far.  I get tired of serving up the same old salsa, guacamole, onion dip, nacho cheese dip, etc and went on the hunt for something new.  I came across this recipe by Deliciously Sprinkled that was exactly what I was looking for and as a bonus I was able to use some more of the Duck Bacon provided by Maple Leaf Farms, one of the sponsors of #10DaysofTailgate.

Speaking of sponsors, they have generously provided prize packages for our readers to win.  You can enter the raffle here.

Dunkin Duck, Cheesy Bacon Ranch Dip
adapted from Deliciously Sprinkled

1 (8oz) pkg, cream cheese, softened
3 T. creamy ranch dressing
1 c. Colby Jack shredded cheese
1/4 c. Dark Beer
3 strips Duck Bacon, diced and cooked (you can use regular or turkey bacon as well)

In large bowl of stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, mix cream cheese and ranch dressing until smooth and creamy.  Mix in the beer. Add the Cheese and Bacon, reserving some for garnish if desired.  Blend until combined.  Refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour before serving. Print Recipe

Here's what the rest of the crew brought to the table...

Starters

Diablo’d Cheesy Bacon-Onion Pinwheel Rolls by Things I Make (for Dinner)

Mains

El Diablo Mango Mustard Glazed Grilled Scallops by Making Miracles

Honey Grilled Chicken and Vegetable Kebabs by Debbi Does Dinner Healthy

Thai Chicken Skewers by Sew You Think You Can Cook

Bacon Cheeseburger Soup by From Gate to Plate

Sides

Grilled Parsley Potatoes by Curious Cuisiniere

Grilled Vegetables by Summer Scraps

Sweets

Pumpkin Bars by The Pajama Chef

Our Final Day in NYC

We actually slept in until 8 am this morning when Larnzy called and woke us.  It was a long and productive day yesterday.

We walked to the Port Authority to find out what time we can leave in the morning.  6 am is the first bus out and Frank wants to be on it because we have a long drive back to the plane and then a short flight out and he would like to land before dark.

Right next to the Port Authority is the Cake Boss Bakery.  My Spencer loves the Cake Boss so we were very excited and had to go inside to get him a shirt.

From there we went to breakfast and then walked over to the Empire State Building where we spent the next few hours learning about this awesome structure.  It was well worth while and I am glad that it was on our to do list.

We stopped on the 2nd floor where we went into the IMAX theatre for a virtual helicopter flight over NYC to see all the sights.  Then we proceeded to the 80th floor where we walked through the museum and learned that the tallest building in NYC (until the Twin Towers) was built in only 11 months and employed nearly 5000 employees during the great depression.

Up to the 86th floor where we went onto the observation deck even though it was a windy and wet day with very little visibility.  

We left there and had a leisurely lunch before hopping on the tourist bus to head down to catch the ferry for Ellis Island. We were told that the last boat left at 6 pm.  We arrived at 4:15 to learn that the last boat had left at 4 pm.  I was pretty disappointed because I really wanted to visit the Island that my maternal grandmother had passed through before gaining entry into this country.  Many years ago, I contributed to have a brick placed with her name upon it and I was hoping to see that as well as getting a copy of the manifest for the ship on which she arrived.  I guess this just means that we have to come back again some day.

We took the tour bus back and had a very nice dinner at a wine bar.  And then we headed back for an early night because we need to get up at the crack of dawn.

One year ago--Excited about Autumn

A Very Full Day

We started running as soon as we got in last night and then we were tired when we got back to the room so I neglected to share it with you.

This is the kind of room available in NYC for $200 per night.  

This is the view with Frank standing at the door and me walking out of the bathroom

This is the view with Frank standing by the bathroom and me standing by the door.

This is the bathroom.

Fortunately it appears clean enough, except for the carpet so I refuse to take my socks off, and we left very early this morning and are ready to crash now that we are back.  We were out the door by 8 am and had breakfast at a deli on the corner.  It was delicious.  Then we hopped on the tour bus and went uptown to Central Park, Harlem,The Bronx and Times Square.

Central Park

Times Square

Yankee Stadium

Then we had lunch at this incredible deli.  Frank and I split a corned beef sandwich and then I ended up giving half of my half to Larry.  It was HUGE!!  and delicious!

We got onto the Downtown Tour Bus and drove through the shopping districts finally arriving at the Twin Towers Footprint Memorial, the Preview of the Museum and Tower One.

The Memorial

Preview Museum

Tower One

After we were done with this heart-wrenching part of our visit we walked for 24 Miles...or at least 2 miles...to the water ferry so that we could get a river tour that takes us past the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

Lady Liberty

Ellis Island.

We went back to the theatre district and had dinner at Carmines.  We had to wait 45 minutes for a table but we did get seats in the bar and it felt good to relax for a bit.  Dinner was delicious and there was tons of it, which meant that we all over ate.

We had planned on going to the Empire State Building after dinner but we were all done in so we called it a night.

One year ago--Delightful Date Night

Amazing!!

We finally got into NYC about 5 pm yesterday and not a moment to soon because I thought (Larry told me) that the Jersey Boys was on Wednesday night but it turned out it was last night.  We hurried and changed our clothes.  Grabbed a hotdog from a street vendor as we walked to the theatre, paid $88 for 3 glasses of wine and a gin and tonic and were seated and ready about 10 minutes before showtime.

I have seen Jersey Boys twice before in Detroit.  In venues much nicer than the Wilson Theatre where we were last night but, let me tell you, the shows did not compare.  It was not Broadway back home in Detroit.  This was magical..the crowd was jump out of their seat excited...the whole atmosphere was electrified.  I never dreamed I would ever get to go to a Broadway show and I certainly hope that it is not the last time that I have the opportunity!!

One year ago--Monday Madness

It's Half Time!!! Day 5 of the #10DaysofTailgateChallenge....Just Ducky Baked Beans

It's Half Time...we are halfway through the 10 Days of Tailgate Event.  Hasn't it been a blast??  And now for a couple of words from our sponsors.......

Stop by this page for your chance to win some great prize packages

Today's recipe is brought to you by:

I started out with some Duck Bacon, generously provided by Maple Leaf Farms.

I had never used Duck Bacon before.

It looks like bacon, it smells like bacon, it cooks like bacon

It must be Duck!!

I added the cooked bacon to the beans along with the El Diablo Mustard and NOT Ketchup.

Both of which, were also provided by our generous sponsors.

Then I added some brown sugar, Ketchup and Worcestershire.

Mixed it all together and put it in to bake.

My son in law ate 3, yes three, helpings at dinner.

Just Ducky Baked Beans

4 slices Maple Leaf Farms Duck Bacon, diced and cooked

1 (28 oz.) Can Baked Beans

2 T. Cherry Chipotle Not Ketchup

2 T. Ketchup

2 T. Brown Sugar

1 T. El Diablo Smokey Chipotle Mustard

1 T Worcestershire Sauce

Combine all ingredients.  Place in an 8x8" baking pan.  Bake at 350* for 1 hour.  Print Recipe

Here's what the rest of the team brought to the table...

Starters

Sticky Mango Mustard Glazed Duck Meatballs by girlichef

Pretzel Sticks with Two Sauces by Eliot’s Eats

BBQ Sausage & Cheese Plate by The Spiffy Cookie

Duck Poppers by CafeTerra

Sips

Cranberry Gin Fizz by Culinary Adventures with Camilla

Dips

Corn and Cheddar Dip by Sew You Think You Can Cook

Hands

Ultimate Bacon Burger by Cheese Curd In Paradise

Cincinnati Turkey Chili by The Pajama Chef

Smoky Date Pulled Pork by Curious Cuisiniere

Grilled Cilantro and Lime Chicken Skewers by From Gate to Plate

Sweets

Linebacker-Sized Chocolate Chip Cookies by Things I Make (for Dinner)

Rocky Ledge Bars by Debbi Does Dinner Healthy

Pear Poppy Snails {Birnen Mohn Schnecken} by The Not So Cheesy Kitchen

Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies by Love and Confections

Little Miss Maddie missing her Grammy

The Simple Woman's Daybook

I am taking a moment to paricipate in  The Simple Woman's Daybook.  I love starting my day off this way.  You might also.  Join us and let me know what you think.

Outside my Window: I see the ell of the hotel in which we are staying that contains the pool.

I am Thinking: That I will let Frank sleep until he awakens on his own because he has a long drive in front of him.

I am Thankful:  That the plane problems yesterday were easily managed.  Electrical problems are inconvenient and you eventually lose your radio contact with others but it does not effect how the plane flies and you can safely get to an airport to land.

I am Wearing: my night clothes.

I am Creating: A sense of Peace and Gratitude that yesterday's hiccup was just that....a minor hiccup in the big scheme of things.

I am Going: To NYC where I will be going to Ground Zero, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Empire State Building and Broadway to see the Jersey Boys!!

I am Wondering; How my Little Miss is doing today.  She had to go for a blood draw yesterday as she was looking a bit jaundiced.

I am Reading: Child 44, just started but so far it is.....disturbing.

I am Hoping: That the rest of the trip goes without a hitch.

I am Learning: That Life's little disappointments are not tragedies...just inconveniences.

Around the House: Karen is taking care of my animals

In the Kitchen: I think this hotel offers a build your own waffle bar but I haven't been down there yet. I am brewing coffee in my room though.

I am Pondering: This lovely prayer card that the hotel has in each room:

"The Stranger within our Gates"

This hotel is a human institution to serve people and not solely a money making organization.

  We hope that God will grant you peace and rest while you are under our roof. 

May this suite and hotel be your home away from home.

May those you love be near you in thoughts and dreams.

Even though we may not get to know you, we hope that you will be comfortable and happy as if you were in your own home.

May the business that brought you our way prosper.

May every call you make and message you receive add to your joy.

When you leave, may your journey be safe.

We are all travelers.

From "birth to death" we travel between the eternities.

May these days be pleasant for you, profitable for society, helpful for those you meet and a joy to those you know and love you best.

A Favorite Quote for Today:  

One of my Favorite Things: Travel and New Adventures

A Few Plans for my Week:  Touring NYC and sharing it with you.

One year ago--Weekend Wrapup