Lay's New Dip Creations aren't just for chips

About a month ago, I was the lucky recipient of a few samples of Tostitos and Lays Dip Creations. I received them through the Tastemakers program with Foodbuzz. I'm not obligated to write anything in particular or anything at all, but when you play with an ingredient that's fun, you want to share it with your friends, right?

So what exactly did I get? Well.....

2 Seasoning Mix packets each of Freshly Made Guacamole, Garden Onion, Country Ranch. All made with 100% natural ingredients.

So far I've played with the Freshly Made Guacamole and the Garden Onion. Based on the picture up top, what do you think I did with the Garden Onion? Did I add it to the patty? Did I coat the fries? Well, you're just going to have a wait and see.....cuz.....

I started off with the guacamole mix. Since the packet is just seasonings....and not actual avocado, I decided to marinate some chicken with a bit of oil and vinegar (or lime juice) and let it hang out in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or a few hours, soaking in all those lovely, fresh spices. I then grilled the chicken (yes...all by myself....which is always an adventure).

(I apologize for the horrible picture. I don't know what my issue was that day...probably frazzled from dealing with the bbq)

Then I proceeded to make the most yummy quesadillas ever!!

(and another horrible pic)

But seriously...with some sauteed onions and bell peppers...a few slices of avocado and lots of cheese....not to mention the wonderfully tender and succulent chicken....this was one mighty tasty quesadilla.

Just a note....if you're taking the time to fire up the grill to cook the meat, do yourself a favor and grill the quesadillo as well. It adds such a wonderful flavor!

Of course I did use the other packet to make actual guacamole.

Quick and easy with wonderful results! All you need are the avocados. The Dip Creations does the rest. Not too spicy for those who like it mild. If you want heat....add your own :)...I'm sure the avocado won't mind.

Please, don't buy the pre-made guacamole in the deli section of your grocery store. It rarely tastes anything at all like guacamole (seriously). If you don't like guacamole, it could be because you've only had that processed, flavorless, weird stuff that comes in a plastic container. Even the texture is funky. If you ever see it at a party.....run away....fast. Don't let your lips or chips come in contact with the stuff. Grocery store brand, pre-made guacamole is that bad!

Promise me....if you're not going to make it from scratch....at least buy a packet of Lay's Dip Creations Freshly Made Guacamole mix, a few avocados, and smash them all together. Stick it in the fridge for an hour and enjoy. It's that simple

Now...what did I do with Garden Onion packet.....

Did I add it to the burger patty?

Nope

Did I add it to the fries?

Nope.....

I added it to the bun! I made a small batch of No-Knead Olive Oil dough and tossed in the whole packet.

I was originally going to make focaccia. Add some grilled onions on top before baking. But I forgot. Or subconsciously changed my mind. I had some Italian Sausage that needed to be used so I thought I'd remove the casings and make them into burgers.

So...I needed the buns.

This recipe is adapted from Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day

2 1/2 cups lukewarm water
2 1/4 tsp yeast
2 1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp sugar
2 TB extra virgin olive oil
1 packet Lay's Dip Creations Garden Onion Seasoning Mix
3 1/4 cups unbleached bread flour

In a non-airtight container, with a lid, combine the water, yeast, salt, sugar, olive oil and Garden Onion packet. Add the flour and stir until combined. Do not knead. Cover lightly with a lid and let sit on the counter for 2 hours

I love seeing all that speckled flavor running through the dough.

Once the 2 hours are up,  you can either refrigerate the dough or continue on to make the burger buns. I find that it is a bit easier to work with if the dough is allowed to chill-out in the fridge first. It's not as 'sticky'.

Either way, you're going to work the dough into a ball by holding it in your hands and stretching the dough around to the bottom as your rotate it. Then divide the ball into 6 equal portions (about 3 oz each). Shape each portion into a ball as your did before, adding a small amount of flour if needed. Place them on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet and just barely flatten them a bit.

 

Cover with plastic wrap and a let rise for 40 minutes. (if you didn't refrigerate the dough, they only need 20 minutes to rise).

Preheat the oven to 350' (if you're using a baking stone...the preheat time is 30 minutes before baking. If no baking stone is used, you only need about 5 minutes to preheat).

Just before baking, brush the tops with melted butter. Bake for 20 minutes or until richly browned and firm.

As you can see, my buns didn't brown. I even let them bake a bit longer. The buttoms browned just fine but the tops decided to be a bit stubborn. I didn't stress over it much. Maybe my burgers can be considered "White Burgers"....turkey meat and pale buns. With a big ole slab of mozzarella cheese melted over that Italian Sausage patty....and some grilled onions in there....

Yes....it was a great burger....from patty to bun. I loved the addition of Lay's Seasoning Mix to the dough and plan on doing that again.

Thank you Lay's for this opportunity to play with your Dip Creations.

No, I have not forgotten about the Country Ranch. But you see....ranch dressing is my favorite. And I'm just going to use the 2 seasoning mix packets that I have to make just that....Country Ranch Dressing. To dip my fries in. To pour over my salad. Even to dip my pizza in. I am a true blue ranch dressing kinda gal.