There really is a MAN CAVE DAY!

Inside the Man Cave –

Ok guys, we’ve all been there…it’s Thanksgiving Day, the Macy’s Day Parade is on TV in the morning and everyone is working on setting tables, slicing and dicing, cooking and watching some of the parade. The family’s together, everyone is chipping in getting ready for the big feast later, and the newspaper (for those us that still get one…) is a foot thick with BLACK FRIDAY shopping ad’s.  The infamous “first day of Holiday Shopping”!!  It’s tomorrow. Most of the women in my life can’t wait to “shop till they drop”…

Neither can I…for the day after Thanksgiving is also officially –

(Photo Courtesy of: www.mancaveday.com

“Man Cave Day” Friday, November 29.  Yep, the girls are all out shopping and we’ve got the football games and food planned out, the guys are coming over and the cave is ready.  All day:  football, laughs and easy to plan.  Lots of leftovers, pot-luck, and a few cold beverages!  One of my best friends, Chris always loves to bring his favorite beers and chicken wings to our Man Cave football nights. He’ll bring a few of his favorite IPA’s like Sierra Nevada. Do you have a favorite beer you stock up on for football night? Speaking of beers…did you know that there’s even a “Virtual Beer Salute” that you can take part in through Google Hangouts? If you want to cheers with your fellow “Cave Dwellers” all over the world…go here to register: https://plus.google.com/events/cl4h2315l0d6113ate0026safs8

(Photo Courtesy of: https://www.facebook.com/MCDBlackFriday/events)

Plan ahead now, and take advantage of a great day to relax and enjoy.  The girls are out having fun, and you should too!

Here’s a quick shot Jessi took of some items to get you started and my favorite football crockpot I love:

Our spread usually has veggies, other dips, ribs, and Buffalo Wild Wings! I think everyone’s got a recipe or two that they pull out and know that it will be a big “hit” with guests.  I have one that is always a “home run” when I make it, and people ask for the recipe.  (It’s also quick and easy to make.) So, I’m sharing the recipe with you shortly!

Outside the Man Cave –

Ok girls, if you need an excuse (or just want to have fun with the gals) to go out and shop on Black Friday, give the guy in your life the idea to have his “day” while you’re gone.  Plus, as Brenda knows (and has become quite the pro at)….you can pick up TONS of great items on sale. It’s a great time to buy gifts, stock up on décor for the coming holidays, etc. But for the guys…“It’s Man Cave Day!”

 And without further ado…I present to you: Man Cave Cheese Dip!

NOTE:  This is something that you play around with the ingredient mix a few times until you find the right mix for your tastes.

INGREDIENTS:  (Serves 4 – 6 people)

*  1 – pound box of Velveeta Cheese (preferably “Velveeta Mexican”) flavor.

*  1 – 10 oz. – 12 oz. jar of regular Salsa (mild, and don’t use a “flavored” salsa.)

*  1 – 7 oz. can of diced Green Chiles  (Mild)

*  1 – 4 oz. can  of diced Jalapenos (Hot)

*  Large bag of Tortilla Chips (regular, not a “flavored” type”

Cut all the cheese into smaller ¼ inch slices/squares, put into a pot on the stove.

Add in roughly 5oz. – 6oz. of the Salsa; and stir well BEFORE heating

Under low heat, slowly melt the mixture together

NOTE:  The cheese can burn easily if the heats too high, stir slowly but constantly.

While still heating, add in about 3 oz. of the diced Green Chiles
NOTE:  If you can’t find “Velveeta Mexican”; use regular Velveeta and 1-2 oz. extra diced Green Chiles to start with, and you may want to add a little more Salsa too.

The diced Jalapeno is something to add in increments, as you taste the dip in stages.

The more of this you add, the spicier it gets (fast).

While still heating, start with 1 oz.; for a mild dip. (I usually use 2 oz. for company.)

If you want it spicier, add another ½ oz., still hotter, another ½ oz., etc.

Keep stirring until all the cheese has melted, and the dip is heated to hot.

If you find it got too spicy and you have any extra Velveeta, add a little more cheese in and it will dilute the chilies with the extra cheese.

Prep and serving time (once you’ve done it a few times) is approx.. 15 minutes.

Best served in a small crock-pot type dish that will keep it hot.  Suggest stirring it every now and then. If you don’t have a crock-pot and want to re-heat it, it’s best to do it in the same pot you cooked it in.  You can also microwave it, but I find that it makes the dip get “runny” if you over do it.

You can make this the day before if you want to.

Simply put the pan in the fridge overnight.  Take it out an hour before to get it closer to room temperature, and then re-heat it on the stove, stirring constantly.  ENJOY!