Wingin’ It: New England Patriots

As the Buffalo Bills prepare to face a new opponent each week, fans take on the age-old arch-nemesis know as “hunger.” Never fear, Buffalo Rumblings has just the playbook to take down this foe. Each week, we’ll dive into enemy territory to scout their signature moves and put a “Buffalo” spin on it. Translated, each week we’ll share a themed recipe based on who the Bills are playing, including a custom wing sauce to go with each dish. Our opponent this week:

New England Patriots

Buffalo Beer Cheese Dip: I'm confident that the Boston area has some signature foods we could explore. On the other hand, beer cheese is awesome and should get the prime-time billing it deserves. So to heck with the Pats and to heck with their foods. It's time for beer cheese!

Buffalo Beer Cheese Dip

Serves: Enough for a party. Easily halves
Active Time: 25 Minutes
Total Time: 30 Minutes

Ingredients:

• 3 Tbsp butter
• Finely chopped onion, to taste in the range of 1-3 Tbsp*
• 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 cup Labatt Blue
• 1 cup whole milk
• ¹⁄₄ cup hot sauce**
• 16 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, cubed

Buffalo Beer Cheese Dip

1. Melt butter in medium saucepan on MEDIUM heat.
2. Add onions; cook, stirring, 1-2 min.
3. Add flour; mix to combine until you have a mashed potato-like consistency.
4. Slowly add liquids*** (beer, milk and hot sauce) a little at a time. Stir each time you add liquid. Repeat until all liquid is thoroughly mixed in. Simmer for 7-8 min, stirring occasionally.
5. Add cheese, a little at a time; stir. Once all the cheese has been added, simmer 5 min. Stir every minute or two.
6. Remove from heat; let sit for 5 minutes and serve with various dippin’ items. (Yes that cauliflower is orange. Yes it’s supposed to be.)

Wingin’ It Tips:

*You can also add other herbs/spices such as garlic powder at the same time you add the onions.

**This results in a mild sauce and can be adjust to taste. The more hot sauce added, the longer the simmer time.

***Personally I combine the beer and milk before this step as it reduces the foam that happens in the pan. Adding one then the other works fine though. Also, feel free to adjust the liquid amounts, trying to stay at the 2 cups range. For more beer flavor, 1 ¹⁄₄ cups beer and ³⁄₄ cups milk will make a big difference. Hot sauce can be added with the other liquids or after.

The Beer: Labatt Blue it is for this week. In a classic example of “some for you, some for me,” the beer goes in the recipe and us. Just remember to leave enough for the dip.

Beer products provided by Labatt USA. Please drink responsibly.

Coming soon!

The Buffalo Bills take on the Chicago Bears. For next week’s recipe your dishes won’t need to be particularly deep and if you bring ketchup you’re bound to be heckled.