Okay, so, I’ve been messing around with those Hidden Valley Ranch packets again. You know, the ones you can grab at pretty much any grocery store? They’re like a buck or two, super cheap, and I just love the taste of ranch. I wanted to see what I could do with them beyond just making a dip or salad dressing.
First off, I grabbed a packet of the Hidden Valley Original Ranch Seasoning & Salad Dressing Mix. It’s the classic one, you know, in the green and white packaging. These little packets are usually about 1 ounce, which is like 3 tablespoons of the powder. I remember reading somewhere that the original recipe was actually created by some real ranchers back in the 50s, which is kind of cool, right?
Now, I know if you want that real restaurant-style ranch, you gotta use specific stuff. Like, they say you should use McCormick Mayonesa and buttermilk, not just regular milk. But I didn’t really care about all that today. I just wanted to play around with the dry mix and make something good and different for dinner.
I started by taking a look at the ingredients on the packet. It’s got your usual suspects: maltodextrin, buttermilk, salt, MSG, dried garlic and onion, some lactic acid, and a bunch of other stuff to make it taste good and last a long time. Nothing too surprising there.
- First Try: Ranch-Crusted Chicken
So, my first experiment was with some chicken breasts. I figured the ranch seasoning would make a killer crust. I just took the chicken breasts, brushed them with a little bit of olive oil, and then pressed them into a plate full of the ranch powder. I made sure they were really coated. Then I baked them in the oven at 375 degrees for about 25-30 minutes. They came out pretty good! The crust was crispy and flavorful. It’s a super easy way to jazz up plain old chicken.
- Second Try: Ranch Roasted Potatoes
Next up, I tried some potatoes. I love roasted potatoes, and I thought the ranch seasoning would be perfect with them. I cut up some potatoes into wedges, tossed them with some olive oil, and then sprinkled a generous amount of the ranch powder all over them. I added a little extra garlic powder and some black pepper, too. I roasted them at 400 degrees for about 40 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Man, these were a hit! The ranch flavor really soaked into the potatoes, and they got all crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
- Third Try: Ranch Burgers
Okay, so for my last experiment, I mixed the ranch powder right into some ground beef to make burgers. I used about half a packet for a pound of beef, along with some breadcrumbs and an egg to bind it all together. I formed the patties and cooked them on the grill. They were super juicy and had that awesome ranch flavor throughout. I topped them with some lettuce, tomato, and a little extra ranch dressing, because why not?
Final Thoughts
Honestly, these Hidden Valley Ranch packets are way more versatile than I thought. I mean, they’re great for making dip and dressing, but they can do so much more! I’m definitely going to keep experimenting with them. Maybe next time I’ll try making some ranch-flavored popcorn or using it in a marinade. The possibilities are endless! If you’re looking for a cheap and easy way to add some flavor to your cooking, I highly recommend giving these little packets a try.
