Buffalo Wings, Blue Cheese Dressing and Celery Sticks

Ingredients

• 0.5 cup blue cheese (crumbled)
• 0.25 cup mayonnaise (full-fat recommended)
• 0.25 cup sour cream
• 1 tbsp buttermilk (optional, for a thinner consistency)
• 1.5 tsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
• 0.5 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 0.25 tsp garlic powder
• 0.25 tsp onion powder
• 0.25 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper (freshly ground)

Instructions

1. 1

   In a medium bowl, add about half of the crumbled blue cheese. Use a fork to mash it against the side of the bowl until it forms a paste. This creates a creamy base.

2. 2

   Add the mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to the bowl. Whisk until smooth and well combined.

3. 3

   Gently fold in the remaining blue cheese crumbles for a chunky texture. If you prefer a thinner dressing, stir in the buttermilk, 1 teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.

4. 4

   For the best flavor, cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. The dressing will also thicken slightly as it chills. Stir again before serving.

Ingredients

• 1 bunch Celery (About 1 lb or 450g, yielding 8-10 stalks)
• 4 cups Cold Water (For soaking and crisping (optional))
• 2 cups Ice Cubes (To add to the water for extra crispness (optional))

Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare the celery: Separate the stalks from the bunch. Rinse each stalk thoroughly under cold running water to remove any dirt from the crevices. Pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel.

2. 2

   Trim the stalks: Using a sharp knife, trim off the tough, white base (about 1 inch) and the leafy tops from each stalk. The tender inner leaves can be saved for salads or garnishes.

3. 3

   Cut into sticks: Cut each trimmed stalk into 2 or 3 equal-length pieces, aiming for sticks that are about 4-5 inches long. For wider stalks, you can also slice them in half lengthwise to create thinner sticks.

4. 4

   Crisp the celery (optional but recommended): Fill a large bowl with 4 cups of cold water and 2 cups of ice cubes. Submerge the celery sticks in the ice water bath for 15-30 minutes. This step makes them exceptionally crisp and crunchy.

5. 5

   Serve: Drain the celery sticks well and pat them dry. Arrange them on a platter, in a glass, or alongside your favorite dips like hummus, peanut butter, or a yogurt-based ranch.