Nibbles of Tidbits, a Food Blog

We love Chili’s Skillet Queso and Chips on Chili’s Appetizer Menu.  And now I can make it perfectly at home.  Well, we think so — That’s six of us here who have tried it several times.  I searched the internet for a good copycat recipe and found five.  Enlarge photo above to view them. I took all into consideration to subsequently create my own, slightly different than the other’s variations, based on what I know about its actual flavor and texture.  My Chili’s Skillet Queso copycat recipe is posted below.  For the Dip only.  Chili’s Chips are too good to copy.

To make Chili’s ‘Skillet’ Queso Dip as easy as possible, I combine all ingredients in a small crock pot and occasionally stir — Technically this recipe should be called… Shelly’s Crock Pot Queso Wannabe Chili’s Skillet Queso, which is a long, dumb sounding name, but that’s what it is and how it tastes.

However, for the authentic Chili’s Skillet Queso and Chips experience, I serve the Queso in the small skillet below and pick-up Chili’s Chips to go, since I cannot re-create their thin, delicately crispy texture.  I’ve previously posted about Chili’s amazing Chips and Skillet Queso Dip here.

Shelly’s Crock Pot Queso Dip Recipe — A Copycat of Chili’s Skillet Queso Dip

Ingredients:

16 ounces of Velveeta Cheese (Chopped into small chunks)

(1) 15 ounce Can of Spicy Hormel No-Bean Chili (Or non-spicy version or other non-verified brand)

1 1/4 Cups of Milk

(1) Tbsp. Chili Powder

(1) Tbsp. Cumin Powder

(2) Tsps. Paprika Powder

(1) Tbsp. Lime Juice

(1/4) Tsp. Cayenne Powder (optional)

Salt to taste

Instructions:

Combine all ingredients in a small crock pot and stir occasionally until evenly melted.  Serve the Queso Dip from the crock pot or transfer to a small skillet or bowl.  If you don’t have a small crock pot, combine all ingredients in a small sauce pan and cook on low stirring occasionally.

FYI:  After this process, I now realize that Chili’s Skillet Queso is most likely not prepared in the small skillet it’s served in, ha — Chili’s may need to clarify ‘Skillet’ too.

You won’t need a passport to try Lay’s latest test Chip flavors… Indian Tikka Masala, Brazilian Picanha (Steak & Chimichurri Sauce), Greek Tzatziki and Chinese Szechuan Chicken, also known as Lay’s Passport to Flavor collection, and some will transport you to a dish from another country.

I appreciate the unique flavors Lay’s is willing to create.  They’re fun and interesting to try.  We’ve tried and reported about most of them here.  Leon likes all of them, because he likes anything.

After trying this passport series, our favorites are the Indian Tikka Masala and Brazilian Picanha. The thought of the Greek Tzatziki flavor is better than the actual, because it’s too subtle.

If we were to buy any of them again, it would be the Indian Tikka Masala Chips, because they taste just like the dish.  I now want Indian food and will most likely order the Chicken Tikka Masala.

The other Chips could use more flavor, though Leon would eat ’em up in a second.

We tried Burger King’s new Mac N’ Cheetos (pictured) — Macaroni and Cheese inside fried batter shaped like Cheese Puffs.  The Macaroni and Cheese in Burger King’s ad looks creamy and their “Cheetos” appear to be dusted with an orange, cheesy powder, but in person they look different.

I hate to report it, but they kind of look like little fried turds — That’s from a consensus of three tasters.  Burger King’s Mac N’ Cheetos were darker than expected and had no visible orange flavored powder, like Cheetos and Cheese Puffs do.  If the batter is supposed to be made with Cheetos, we couldn’t taste the Cheetos flavor in it.  And the Macaroni and Cheese inside was very dry.

I didn’t want more than just one Cheeto.  That’s not good.  I didn’t expect them to be great, but they’re just plain funny and bad, like crazy Fair food.  Maybe BK should wrap them in Bacon, JK.  I waited in line too long for them, and the first BK I went to ran out of them, while I was stuck in the drive-thru.  That wasn’t good either.  I wish I could report better, but three tasters on behalf of Nibbles of Tidbits do not want them again, though all appreciate the fun concept of ’em.

Have you seen our Orange County Chili Cheese Fries Comparison Report?

Just added to it are the pictured Chili Cheese Fries at Santa Fe Cafe at Fullerton Train Station.

It’s entertaining watching the trains go by, while lounging on Santa Fe Cafe’s patio with Chili Cheese Fries, an $8 or $10 Pitcher of Beer and the sunset.  It’s what I’ve enjoyed there thus far.

Be aware of occasional loitering oddballs, otherwise all should be good.

View these Chili Cheese Fries and several others on our on-going Chili Cheese Fries post.

In relation to the post title… Shelly Chili Freis should have been my legal name, if I would’ve been able to change my middle name to Chili, but apparently one can’t change his/her middle name when getting married, only a last name, or it would officially be me.  It’s my unofficial name now.

Have you been to Calivino Wine Pub?  It’s in Anaheim, near the Honda Center, Angel Stadium of Anaheim and other happenings, off Katella Avenue. We just learned about it and gladly so, since the food is terrific. We’ve been to other Wine Bar/Pubs that serve great food, like Sealegs and The Twisted Wine, so the test-bar is high, but Calivino unexpectedly stood out.

Calivino Wine Pub is a bit hard to see off Katella.  Its cross-street is Howell — Just turn into the business park area, keep heading left and you’ll see it slivered-in, amongst other businesses and eateries.  Hooters is across the parking lot to drop off the boys on a Girl’s Wine Night out.

Seating includes a long bar and a good combination of couches and tall and short tables.

It’s rare when everything on a menu sounds appealing, well not that rare, but I do want all on Calivino’s Menu.  Since we weren’t sure where to begin, we tried a few house favorites.

FOOD pictured from top down:  The House Burger with Fried Onions, Onion Jam and Havarti, which is sweet, spicy and juicy – Bacon Dates with Goat Cheese and Honey – Spinach Wontons with Parmesan and Garlic – Brussels Sprouts roasted with Crispy Pork.

I’d have all again and the Spinach Wontons (above) every day — You certainly can’t tell how great they are from the dark photo, but WOW, they’re a perfectly seasoned combo of Baby Leaf Spinach and crunch.  Each Wonton tastes like the best Spinach Dip already on a chip.

Oh yeah, Wine.  It’s a Wine Pub after all — I like Wine too.

The Reds, Whites, Sweets & Sparkling — Calivino’s owner, Daniel hand selects them all.

And there’s Beer too — A rotating selection of fine, local brews are noted on a chalkboard.

Calivino — Cali for California and Vino for Wine.  We like it and the CA Flag Bear on the logo.

It’s a nice mix of old world and new world and it feels that way.

We tried REDS from California and Spain — Leaping Horse Cabernet (2013), Beso De Vino Garnacha (2011), Reserva Eguia Tempranillo (2009) and Artezin Red Zinfandel (2012).

We liked sipping Wine on the couch and the rustic tables with bottled water and succulents.

I’m heading back soon with a group of girls for more bites and Tempranillo.

Calivino Wine Pub — A great stop before or after an event, for Happy Hour (3-7pm, Sun – Fri), 1/2 Price Bottles of Wine on Wednesdays, and 1/2 off Glasses of Wine on Thursdays.  See their website for more info and/or changes.  New food dishes will be added below.

Updated 10/21/14: Next visit we had more of the same, which was equally as good, and Alison’s Baked Brie in a Puff Pastry with Candied Nuts and Honey (above).

I submitted a Potato Chip flavor idea in Lay’s latest Do Us A Flavor – Choose Your Chip Contest, but never heard back.  It appears they didn’t choose my flavor idea… Steakhouse Bloody Mary Kettle Cooked Chips, which would have to be better than Cappuccino, don’t you think?  I was surprised to see and taste that option, but do appreciate its uniqueness.

With respect to Lay’s actual picks (above), I was most excited about the Wasabi Ginger and Mango Salsa, thought the Cheddar Bacon Mac & Cheese to be basic, and the Cappuccino to be odd.  After tasting all, I’d only be able to eat an entire bag of one, the Cheddar Bacon Mac & Cheese.  I’m not sure how I’m able to taste Macaroni in a Potato Chip, but somehow can.  They’re pretty good.  Overall, we could only eat a couple Cappuccino Chips before they got sickening, a few more of the Wasabi Ginger Chips before being overpowered by their flavor, and the Mango Salsa Chips tasted like my favorite Fruit Lollipop at Disneyland, a flavor not sought in a Chip.  We say #SaveBaconMac, if any.  Vote for your favorite — Previous winners.

We rented a Luxury Electric Boat from Newport Fun Tours and cruised the Newport Beach Harbor with plenty to eat and drink for 90 minutes — You may have seen them on Groupon.

A Cheese Platter doesn’t come with a Newport Fun Tours cruise — We brought it and the Grey Poupon too, just in case anyone asked for it, plus it goes well with a fabulous Cheese Platter.

Balboa Fun Zone view (below) from our Luxury Electric Boat — Well, I really wouldn’t call it luxury, since our boat was a bit used looking, like an old water limo, but it ran well for us.

The day was cloudy, brightened with Cheese, Wine and cute, smiling serving utensils.

I made the pictured Cheese Platter with 5 kinds of Cheese, Salami, Crackers, Pecans, Grapes from our garden, Kalamata Olives and Roasted Red Peppers, Peperoncinis and Pickles, with Mustard on the side — A couple seagulls landed on the bow wanting some.  Negative, sorry.

Wine and snacks are sold at Newport Fun Tours check-in, but the options aren’t this good.

It wasn’t easy saving these Crispy Fruit as munchies for our cruise,  because I LOVE Freeze Dried Fruit, and admit I did eat Crispy Green’s Crispy Tangerine too quickly to photograph it.

Pictured above is the Crispy Fruit Pineapple aka Freeze Dried Pineapple — It is indeed crispy, like a Chip, and should not be confused with Dried Fruit, generally with a chewy texture.

We were leaving Miami here for Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and St. Maarten, amongst the Virgin Islands, with bon voyage Fresh Apples and its Freeze Dried counter-part pictured below.

The Apples were equally crunchy and crisp, either way — Fresh and/or Freeze Dried.

Crispy Green makes it right, and crispy, which is everything to good Freeze Dried Fruit.

It was then on to planning our first breakfast on the Celebrity Reflection — Sail back for more.

It’s “A Little Something” called Almonds & Olives at Blackbird Tavern in Temecula (below).

I liked it so much, I recreated a better version of it at home (top photo) — It’s made with a medley of Greek Olives, Marcona Almonds, Orange Slices, Fennel Seeds, Red Pepper Flakes and Olive Oil.  The Olives were baked in a foil pouch with the Orange Slices, Fennel Seeds, Red Pepper Flakes and a little Olive Oil at 425° for about 15 minutes, then all was tossed with Marcona Almonds, the improvement (I think) to Blackbird’s starter.  I’ll make it forever.

And there’s a sweet back-story soon to be told about this trip to Temecula.

We recently spent a night in Sequoia National Park and cooked up Bacon in the morning.

The trees are crazy amazing — It’s so beautiful there, a minimal food angle gets it on here.

Bag of munchies (above) for our 5-hour drive to and from the park.

Coffee stayed warm in our thermos for days, guarded by a friend acquired one fine day.

Spotlight on the Freeze Dried Peach Slices — Loved them and all freeze dried fruit.

We properly stored food in our anti-bear storage locker and luckily didn’t see any.

We camped in a great spot, aptly named Sunset — It’s in the Grant Grove Area.

And we visited nearby Hume Lake, where I went to Summer Camp many years ago.

We fished along the banks and caught nothing but joy, and kayaked on the lake too.

Pictured is the Mess Hall where I dined, one-week every Summer for 3 years while in HS.

I have the best memories of my time spent at Hume Lake Christian Camp.

It was incredible to be back  — Thanks to my parents for sending me there many years ago.

Special Water for Leon too — He’s allowed to be with us in the park.

It was the Ponderosa Camp where I stayed, by way of First Baptist Church of Lakewood.

Cabin similar to one I once camped in (above) — I couldn’t recall the exact one, two or three.

I never expected to go back — What a special treat to be here again.

Camp was in between groups, thus we were able to walk through all.

New kids were to be arriving the next day — Lucky for us.  More bear warnings are here.

Coincidentally, Matt visited the spot (above) while in Boy Scouts and I did while at Hume Lake.

Views at Sequoia National Park are breathtaking every turn along the way.

The trees are giant and absolutely magnificent — Thank you Lord.

Bacon and Scrambled Eggs in a humbling place.

It’s nice to be back and we’ll go back again (and maybe catch fish).

It’s Loaded Chili Cheese Wedges from Jack in the Box and they’re pretty good with Jalapenos, but I could do without the sliced Onions concealed throughout.  I’d have it again, which is more than I can say about the last addition to our OC Chili Cheese Fries Comparison post.

It’s toasted Sourdough Bread and sliced Avocado drizzled with Olive Oil and spattered with several evenly distributed dots of Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce with Salt & Pepper.  This snack, lunch, dinner and/or breakfast was originally prepared to fill the What to Make with Avocados post and to best use all the California Avocado Commission Avocados received, but I’m now having this tasty combination (almost) every day.  It’s simple to prepare, yet so very good.

Why not set-up a theater in your backyard?  Doesn’t this look cozy?  Now, what movie?

Best to slice ’em for Bananas Foster, Banana Cream Pies, Banana Bread, Banana Splits, etc.

Photo credits here and here.

I forgot the Potato Chip flavor I entered in Lay’s Do Us a Flavor Contest and apparently Lay’s forgot too as it wasn’t chosen as a finalist — Darn.  The prize is $1,000,000.00 or 1% of sales, whichever is greater.  See Official Rules for specifics.  And the finalists are… Sriracha, Chicken & Waffles and Cheesy Garlic Bread.  YOU may vote for your favorite today through May 4th.

Have you tried them yet?  I like the varied selection chosen and created by Lay’s.

I expected to like Sriracha best, since I like its flavor, but it didn’t translate well onto the Potato Chips (above).  I don’t taste Sriracha.  It’s just hot without that recognizable flavor.

I was excited to see Chicken & Waffles (top) since it’s different and first thought ‘oh big deal’ when seeing Cheesy Garlic Bread (above).  After all was said, done, thought about and tasted, the Chicken & Waffles bag was empty first due to extra analysis of its interesting flavors, but ultimately I voted for Cheesy Garlic Bread, because it REALLY tastes like Cheesy Garlic Bread — Lay’s did us a flavor with it, though I’d buy the Chicken & Waffles again too.

Text VOTE to CHIPS (24477) to submit a vote.

03/10/13 Update: Though voting continues into May, it’s been difficult finding more Chips to try.  This is a call-out for Lay’s to get more Chips out there — Supply if you advertise!

I like Pistachios, but its advertisers make me want Cashews — Ever seen a Cashew Tree?

Creamy White American Cheese for a Melt or a cold chunk of Extra Sharp Cheddar otherwise.

I’m still recuperating from the amazing FOOD and (mostly the drinks) to begin to recap our dinner in its entirety.  Queen Mary reps and staff were most hospitable to a group of media and bloggers as they lead us through a 3-Hour Progressive Dinner that started in the Observation Bar and ended in the Tea Room.  Check back to see what happened in between.

It was quite the send off — I was happy to be on the Queen Mary, since it’s been a long time.

And all got better as we trekked on to Chelsea’s Chowder House & Bar and Sir Winston’s.

Shelly’s Jellies — I thought they were winners and now I’m glad to have it confirmed.

Made with real Pink Grapefruit, Oranges, Lemons and Limes (Juice and Zest), they burst with natural flavor — Some days I can’t stop eating them.  They are fairly easy to make, but time consuming to cut, sugar and rotate (when necessary to dry out extra moist sides).  Since Shelly’s Jellies taste and yield is so great, some have asked me about selling ’em.  That’s TBD.

Strips and Cheese aka Cheese Strips aka Beach Strips in Huntington Beach are sought after by generations.  I remember having them when I was Chef Lexi’s age and it’s brilliant to see they haven’t changed — You can’t say that about many things.  We’re glad they’re still around.

Look for Strips at Zacks or Jacks (not Babes in the distance below).  Although Babes are the more colorful snack shacks, they lack in service, selection and quality.  I give thumbs down to their freezer-burned Rootbeer Float in hand, while still smiling because it’s a beautiful day.

We say skip Babes and park your bike at Zacks and/or Jacks.

We like Plums Café, but weren’t thrilled with their Oregonzola and Roasted Muscat Grapes (below).  We like the concept of it, but the warm Grapes just didn’t taste right to us and the Oregonzola (Gorgonzola from Oregon, where the café owners are from) was a bit too hard.  Since we left cheerless about it, I made a copycat to get its potential out of our system.

For our copycat (top), I used Cal-Gorgonzola, if you will, with chilled Grapes and Cashews instead of Hazelnuts.  Both are drizzled with Wild Flower Honey.  Plum’s Bread was better than ours, but we preferred this copycat/version and have much respect for its ($11) source.

The last Strawberry one was stolen from the fridge — Okay, I know who did it and you’re busted.  I guess that means you like them, but next time ask, as I still had study to do.  I mean, I wanted it.  Heading to the conference room for a meeting, I found it satisfying and timely this day, with a pad of paper and Coffee in the other hand.  It’s a Kraft Milk Bite Bar that’s the subject here.  A group of us recently got to try them.  They’re of interest because I LOVE Milk, like Granola, and I’m always looking for a good, quick breakfast bite.  Thanks!

View from my new office on an overcast day, with a Snack Like Nothing Else, they report.

Voting on the office favorite, another points to the Strawberry Milk Bite, though all liked all.

We also tried the Chocolate Milk Bite with nothing bad to say about it.  I liked the Strawberry better too, but found it a tad rich towards the last bite, thus think I’d really like the Mixed Berry or Oatmeal Raisin one best.  You can learn about the nutritional information from them at MILKBITE.com, or at the top link.  It’s back to work with much awaiting review.

Print this photo and tell the Theater it’s okay to bring in Candy, but don’t tell them I said so.