A BIG HIGH-FIVE to Wisconsin Cheese!

While standing in line in the deli department of Kohler's Saturday, I glanced around and saw some leaflets by the cheese display. "Wisconsin Cheese Football Headquarters" was the name of this little jewel and am I glad I snagged it. Don't you just love freebies--especially when they're really useful?

This leaflet had a couple recipes you'll really want to try:

BEAN-BACON SANDWICH (serves 4)
1 (8 1/2 oz) pkg cornbread mix
Dijon mustard
3 C canned baked beans
4 slices bacon, fried crisp
1/4 C sweet onion, chopped and crumbled
1/4 C parsley, chopped
1 1/2 C (6 oz) Wisconsin Brick Cheese, shredded (we both know any brand cheese will work)

Prepare the cornbread in an 8x8-inch baking pan as directed on the package. Cool. Divide cornbread into four 4-inch squares. Slice each horizontally. Place squares, cut side up on baking sheet. Spread with Dijon mustard. Meanwhile, heat beans to boiling. Spoon generous 1/3 C of hot beans on each cornbread square. Sprinkle with bacon, onion and parsley. Sprinkle squares with the cheese. Place under preheated broiler 1-2 minutes. Place 2 squares of each on 4 plates. Yum!

BUFFALO WINGS WITH BLUE CHEESE DIPPING SAUCE (serves 6)
2 1/2 to 3 lbs chicken wings
3 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 Tbsp hot-pepper sauce
1 tsp paprika
2/3 C (4 oz) Wisconsin Blue Cheese, crumbled (again, any brand will work)
2/3 C sour cream
4 tsp white wine vinegar
3 Tbsp green onions, finely chopped and divided
1/2 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
1 to 2 Tbsp milk
3 celery stalks, cut into sticks

Preheat broiler. Cut off wing tips; discard. Split wings at joint. Place in 1-gallon resealable plastic bag. Combine oil, hot pepper sauce and paprika. Pou8r over chicken, turning to coat pieces evenly. Marinate while making dipping sauce. In small bowl, combine blue cheese and sour cream. Stir in vinegar, 2 Tbsp green onions and pepper. Whisk in 1 to 2 Tbsp milk until sauce is smooth. (Or pulse in food processor.) Sprinkle top with remaining green onions. Refrigerate if not using immediately. Broil wings 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally until crisp and cooked through. Remove to platter and sprinkle with a few more dashes hot pepper sauce, if desired. Serve with celery sticks and Blue Cheese Dipping Sauce. WOW!

If you've been looking for something fun and a little unique to serve at your upcoming Super Bowl party, these two goodies could just be it. Now do YOU have any easy and fool-proof, crowd-pleasing recipes you could share with our readers? We're all in this together, remember. Meanwhile, thanks for reading and happy cook'n!