OK girls! After a two week well deserved break, here's the next dinner challenge on Iron Chef SugarLand! This week's secret recipes are both from The Pioneer Woman (seriously, who doesn't love her?). We have two easy yet super yummy options: a spiced-up macaroni and cheese dish or a creamy homemade ranch dressing. If you were to choose to make the ranch dressing, it could be nice if you showed us how you used it or what you had it with. Just an idea. So here are the recipes - Iron Chefs, let the battle begin! À la cuisine! (Now imagine me biting into a green bell pepper! Get it? OK I'm just having fun with this whole Iron Chef thing.) Good luck, girls!
---------------------------------------------------
Option #1:

Not Your Granny’s Mac & Cheese - P.W.’s Spicy Macaroni & Cheese (http://thepioneerwoman.com)

Look at all that cheesy goodness!

4 cups cooked macaroni or cavatappi
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 to 1/2 finely diced red onion
Equal amount diced red bell pepper
1 finely diced jalapeno
1 4 oz can chopped green chilies
1 cup frozen corn
2 to 3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 cup cream
1 generous cup grated Pepper Jack cheese
2 tablespoons butter
Salt
Pepper

Boil pasta until al dente. In a large skillet, add olive oil and saute garlic and vegetables over medium heat for a couple of minutes. Add in canned chilies and stir around, then turn off heat. Drain pasta and add it to skillet. Pour on cream, add cheese, then add salt and pepper to taste and stir gently. At the end, add 2 tablespoons butter and stir again. Check seasonings and serve.

Serve with juicy steak, with grilled shrimp, chicken, or on its own. It’ll change your life for the better.
-----------------------------------------------------
Option #2:

Pioneer Woman’s Homemade Ranch Dressing (http://thepioneerwoman.com)

Ranch dressing makes everything taste better!

1 to 2 cloves garlic
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt (use less table salt)

1 cup mayonnaise (Hellman’s or Best Foods preferred)
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 to 1/2 cup buttermilk or regular milk, to taste
1/4 cup chopped flat leaf parsley
1 to 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
1 to 2 teaspoons chopped fresh dill, more if desired

Optional ingredients:
white vinegar
worcestershire sauce
cayenne pepper
paprika
fresh oregano
black pepper
tabasco

Directions: With a fork, make a paste with garlic and salt. Mix all other ingredients, adding optional ingredients as you wish, tasting frequently and adjusting seasonings as needed. Chill for a couple of hours before serving, thin with milk or buttermilk if desired.

(Don’t overdo the garlic or you’ll be up all night, emailing me about your heartburn - The Pioneer Woman)