Nexium 24HR helps make these Fried Mashed Potato Balls & Crispy Jalapeno 'Tater Skins a Race Day Winner!

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #RaceDayRelief #CollectiveBias

        Race Day is a much anticipated event in our household. Sharing a mutual passion for stock car auto racing, Karen and I look forward to the time it allows us to spend together in preparation for the big day. That "together time" is quite important to us - a much-needed respite from the rigors of the work week; a period of time where we get to enjoy each other's company while we plan the event's menu, cook side-by-side, and finally, settle in to watch the race. Frankly, our shared affinity for the sport has resulted in some of our most enjoyable moments spent together.

       Typically, we'll settle on the day's menu and set about our kitchen tasks in perfect unison. Until the drop of the green flag to start the race, we are all hustle and bustle and utterly lost in what I can only describe as one long, continuously delectable taste test. It is all incredible fun and there are very few points pertaining to food that we'll disagree upon. However, that doesn't mean we are not without our differences.

       Although we both allow ourselves the guilty pleasures of our weekend feasts - usually consisting of an array of rich, cheesy and spicy foods - the results of our kitchen creations usually affects us quite differently. I, for one, can eat almost anything with little or no repercussions. This is both a blessing and a curse that has led to the challenge of my maintaining a healthy weight over the long haul. Karen, on the other hand, battles less with her weight and more with the occasional bout of heartburn as an unfortunate side effect of our many culinary excursions.

      Over the course of time, she's tried a number of remedies and products to varying results. But no longer willing to compromise our race days, she's recently found relief with a product she feels can comfortably take her from green flag to checkered flag - Nexium 24HR, the new #1 selling frequent heartburn brand*.

     Preferring the Nexium 24HR NEW tablets over the caplets, Karen now purchases the product at a our local Walmart store where it is conveniently located in the retailer's pharmacy department.

Nexium 24HR, the new #1 selling frequent heartburn brand*. All day, all night frequent heartburn protection. May take 1 to 4 days for full effect. Use as directed for 14 days to treat frequent heartburn. Do not take for more than 14 days or more often than every 4 months unless directed by a doctor. Not for immediate relief.

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      Now, Karen and I can both enjoy our Race Day menu with equal enthusiasm while we cheer on our favorite driver! In the case of the upcoming Duck Commander 500 on April 9th at Texas Motor Speedway, we'll both be rooting hard for Ty Dillon driving the #33 Nexium car (as well as his Advil sponsored car later in the year). Dillon, a 23-year-old driver whose stock-car star is on the rise, has already amassed 4 wins and 91 top-ten finishes in his first five years of competition across the sport's top three series. That, in itself, is reason to celebrate!

      Below, Karen and I are excited to share two of our favorite Race Day appetizer recipes that we're planning to make for the upcoming Duck Commander 500 - recipes that will easily draw comparisons between the speed of Ty Dillon's #33 Nexium car and the speed one can prepare these two race day goodies!

We'd love it if you'd share with us some of your sporting event recipes, swap ideas or relate any of your personal experiences with Nexium 24HR and how it may help you with Race Day Relief!

*Based on IRI sales data 52 weeks ending 11/1/15 among OTC brands.

#RaceDayRelief  Recipe #1:
Deep-Fried Race Day Mashed Potato Balls

Ingredients:

• 3 cups mashed potatoes
• 4 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/4 cup Monterrey Jack cheese, shredded
• 1 tbsp sour cream

• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp dried chives
• 1 cup panko
• 1 egg beaten
• Canola oil, for frying

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 350º.
2. Lay bacon strip on sheet pan and cook for 10 minutes, until crisp. Remove from pan and allow to cool on paper towel.
3. When cooled, chop bacon and set aside.
4. In a medium bowl, gently fold bacon, cheddar, Monterrey Jack, sour cream, salt, pepper, and chives into mashed potatoes.
5. Take approximately 1 tbsp of mashed potato mixture and shape into a ball.
6. Gently dip potato balls into beaten egg and roll in panko.
7. Set balls on a sheet pan and place in freezer for 30 minutes.
8. Heat frying oil to 350º and fry potato balls in small batches for 5-6 minutes, or until golden brown. Drain on paper towel.

Gently fold all ingredients into mashed potatoes to mix thoroughly.

Before frying, lay coated potato balls on a sheet pan and place in freezer for 30 minutes.

"Serve with you favorite dipping sauce. Recipe will yield 25 to 30 potato balls."

#RaceDayRelief  Recipe #2:
Crispy Jalapeno Speedway 'Tater Skins

Ingredients:

• 6 medium- sized russet potatoes, rinsed & dried
• 4 oz of sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 4 oz Monterrey Jack cheese, shredded
• 8-10 slices of thick cut bacon, crumbled
• 2 jalapeno peppers, finely diced

• 2 tbsp chives, chopped
• 1 or 2 tbsp olive oil
• 6-8 tbsp sour cream
• 4 oz sliced black olives
• Salt to taste
• Black Pepper to taste

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 400º.
2. Rinse each potato and dry well. Poke several holes in each potato with a fork or a knife and place on baking sheet or directly on oven rack. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool for approximately 20 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, while potatoes are cooling, lay strips of bacon on a baking sheet and cook for 10 minutes, until crispy. Remove and place on paper towels, blotting excess fat. Set aside and crumble when cool.
4. Cut each potato in half lengthwise, and with a spoon, carefully scoop out approximately 70-75% of potato, leaving a potato boat as shown in the photos below.
5. Brush both sides of potato boat with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. I even enjoy a sprinkle of cayenne pepper, but that is purely optional. Place skin side down on a baking sheet and cook under broiler for 7 to 8 minutes, until the edges begin to brown and crisp up. Remove from oven.
6. Fill the cavity of each potato with crumbled bacon, diced jalapeno, sliced olives and top with cheese. Then sprinkle a few more crumbles of bacon atop the cheese. Once again, place under broiler, this time for approximately 3 to 4 minutes, or until cheese bubbles and bacon sizzles.
7. Remove and top with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh chives before serving.

!This recipe yields 12 potato skins. Increase or decrease accordingly.
Now "Let's Go Racing!" with #RaceDayRelief!