Fresh Potatoes Au Gratin

I've introduced you to the greatness of NukaCola from Fallout 3, but cola isn't all the game has to offer your hungry avatar.  There's tons of snacks and meat but let's face it, in a post apocalyptic world full of radiation you want fresh!  Put away those Fancy Lad Snack Cakes and search out some Fresh Potatoes!

Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Total Time: 8 Hours
Serves: 5
Skill Needed: Apprentice

Ingredients: 

• 6 brown potatoes
• 1 onion
• 1 1/2 stick of butter 
• 6 T flour
• 3 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 2 t dried thyme
• 2 t kosher salt
• 4 t dried mustard
• 1 t black pepper
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese 

Directions:

1. Wash and peel your potatoes.
2.  Slice potatoes longways, then slice in 1/4 inch slices
3. Dice your onion.
4. Put veggies into slow cooker.
5. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Slowly add your flour, stirring constantly for 3-5 minutes. Then slowly add your cream, and spices, stirring continuously to blend.
6. Pour mixture over potatoes and close the crock lid.
7. Cook on Low for 8-9 hours or high for 4-5.
8. Before serving, stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until it disappears.

Ranch Glazed Wild Carrots

Carrot on a stick and plain old Crystalsong Carrots step away.  There's a new carrot in town!  The poor Wild Carrot is so underloved in Warcraft.  We fly past it, feed it to wild horses but never cook them.  While our characters might not know how to cook these Grizzly Hills beauties, here at the Hungry Gamer we concocted a recipe that would make an anti-carrot raider eat carrots like Bugs Bunny!

Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Total Time: 20 Minutes
Serves: 4
Skill Needed: Apprentice
Ingredients:

• 1 (16 ounce) package frozen baby carrots
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1 (1 ounce) package ranch dressing mix 

 Directions:

1. Cook carrots according to package directions.
2. While they're cooking, melt butter in a large pan over low heat.
3. Add sugar and stir until it's all dissolved.
4. When carrots are ready, drain them well and add the carrots and Ranch mix to your large pan, stir until carrots are coated.
5. Increase heat to medium, and stir until carrots are hot and glazed.  Should take about 5 minutes.
    
     
    

Afterburn Grilled Cheese

Growing up in Tennessee I was always a conisour of a good grilled cheese. It was a staple in this picky country girls diet. Breakfast, Supper, with soup, with chilli, alone... It was versatile. College days were no different. Late night studying? Grilled Cheese. Hungry after a long Class? Grilled cheese. Quick meal before a Lan Party? You guessed it! Time passes and tastes mature but I beg my fellow gamers... don't abandon your grilled cheese! Upgrade it just like you do your gear! Today we're upgrading our old friend with a little fiery kick. I promise it's a perfect gamer grub for those days you need something hot and I don't mean temperature hot! It'll be a perfect warmup exercise before you log in to take on those dragons and fireballing mages.


Just look at those Jalapenos bathing in pepper jack cheese. Let's get you cooking:

Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Total Time: 15 Minutes
Serves: 1
Skill Needed: Apprentice

Ingredients:

• 2 Jalapeno Peppers
  
• 2 slices of Pepper Jack Cheese
• 1oz Cream Cheese
  
• 2 slices of Texas Toast
• Pepper
  
• Butter
  

Directions:

*Warning to beginner chefs: Peppers can be hotter than you expect. Protection is recommended anytime you cut peppers to avoid getting juices on your skin. Wear gloves or improvise with clean storage bags on your hands if your unsure how hot your peppers are.

1. Cut tops off Jalapeno peppers. Slice Peppers lengthwise and remove the seeds and ribs. (You can slice peppers into bite size pieces if you like but we left ours halved)
   
2. Get your 2 slices of bread and spread Cream Cheese onto 1 side of each slice.
3. On one of the slices, arrange the slices of Jalapenos as desired.
4. Place 2 slices of Pepper Jack on top of pepper layer.
5. Top cheese layer with your other slice of bread, cream cheese side down.
6. Butter the outside of each slice of bread and cook the sandwich in a buttered skillet until bottom side is golden. Flip your sandwich over and cook until that side is crispy and golden too.
   

Pair this up with Molten Taco Soup and enjoy!

Spicy Summer Pasta

Ah sweet summer time. Wait a minute... It's hot and Miserable! What's so sweet about that?!? If you're like me, summer if a fantastic time to avoid the heat with some gaming. Although my current MMO has me fighting my way through one big Fiery Inferno which in alot of ways reminds me of Summer temperatures this year. When fighting the weather or fighting overgrown molten baddies, I like some pre-raid meals to be cool yet spicy. Meet my solution... one Spicy Summer Pasta!

Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Total Time: Overnight
Skill Needed: Apprentice

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces Mostaccioli Pasta
  
• 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup Whole Milk
• 4 Tablespoons White Vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Adobo Sauce From Chipotle Peppers
  
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• Black Pepper To Taste
  
• 10 ounces Grape Tomatoes
• 1/2 pound Smoked Gouda Cheese
• 24 whole Basil Leaves (chiffonade)

Directions:

1. Cook Pasta until done. Set Aside to Cool.
   
2. In a small bowl Mix Mayonnaise, Vinegar, Adobo Sauce, Milk, Pepper and Salt.
3. Cube Gouda Cheese into bite size pieces.
4. Cut Tomatoes Lengthwise.
5. Grab a large bowl and toss in Cooled Pasta, Tomatoes, Cheese Cubes, and Dressing. Stir everything together then taste to see if any adobo, salt or pepper is needed. If so add a little in!
6. Chiffonade your Basil. Chiffo-who? If you're like me, you had no idea what that means. Never fear hungry raiders! Chiffonade means to cut that herb into long thin strips.
7. Stir in Basil and Refrigerate until cold. I recommend Overnight!
   

Easy Spanish Rice

This is a great addition to spice up any meal. Here at the hungry raider, we add it to Salsa Chicken as a perfect side.

Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Total Time: 45 Minutes
Skill Needed: Apprentice

Ingredients:

• 1 cup uncooked rice
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 1/2 cups water
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 small green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 3/4 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions:

1. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat.
2. Add rice and onion and cook (about 5-10 minutes) stirring occasionally, until rice is golden brown and onion is tender.
3. Stir in remaining ingredients and bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until rice is tender.