Tips and recipes for a game-day party
You know watching a game is more fun with a bunch of friends — so why not host a game-day party so everyone can cheer on the home team together?
Use these tips and recipes as your playbook for a game-day party that scores big on taste and fun.
Chili Champs• Let guests get in on the food fun by hosting a chili cook-off as part of the party. Invite everyone to bring their favorite chili to compete for bragging rights. Offer fun awards for “Hottest,” “Best Tasting” and “Most Creative Ingredients.” You can also have awards for “Best Named Chili” and encourage fun names like “Devil's Breath Chili” and “Buzzard's Beak Beef 'n Beans.”• Set up a toppings bar so everyone can load up on their favorite add ins. Include different kinds of cheeses, peppers, onions, guacamole, salsa, queso and sour cream. Have some crackers and corn bread, too. They're easy items for non-chili cookers to bring.
Dip TipsDips are must-have munchies for hungry fans. And there are plenty of ways you can keep them satisfied:• Keep it simple — Pick up some ready-to-eat dips such as Wholly Guacamole and Spicy Wholly Salsa. Made with 100 percent natural ingredients, these dips bring great taste to the game-day table, with no fuss from you.• Make it hearty — Feed the frenzy with a hearty Seven Layer Dip and plenty of chips. You can make it the day before and set it out about 30 minutes before kickoff to bring it up to room temperature.• Shake things up — Step up your game by setting out a wide variety of dippers. Have different types of chips like blue corn, sweet potato and salt and vinegar. Get flavored crackers, pita chips and a veggie tray, too.• Make it fancy — Dress things up a bit with cherry tomatoes stuffed with guacamole, or a warm and savory crab dip.
Party Pizzas• Scratch delivery and frozen pizzas from your playbook. Try a fresh and easy homemade pizza like the California Confetti Pizza. Cut it up into appetizer sized bites to make it even easier to eat.• Set up a pizza bar with heat-and-eat crusts in full and mini sizes that can be piled up with everyone's toppings of choice. Then, pop them under the broiler or on the grill for a few minutes for quick, customized pizzas.
3 tablespoons canola oil4 cups chopped yellow onion2 large Poblano chilis, diced3 tablespoons minced garlic5 pounds ground meat2 tablespoons kosher salt2 teaspoons black pepper1½ tablespoons ground cumin2 tablespoons Mexican oregano1½ tablespoons onion powder3 tablespoons paprika8 tablespoons chili powder2 12-ounce cans tomato paste28 ounces salsa3 quarts chicken stock2 tablespoons TabascoHeat oil over medium heat in a large stock pot. When hot, add the onion, Poblano and garlic. Sweat until onions are translucent.Add ground meat and stir to break it up. When meat is completely brown, drain and return to heat.Add dried seasonings and stir to combine. Add tomato paste, stir to combine, and allow it to cook for 5 minutes. Add all of the rest of the ingredients, and simmer for 30 minutes. Taste to see if you need any more salt.For a thicker version, omit the chicken stock.
1 16-ounce can nonfat refried beans1 9-ounce can bean dip2 7-ounce packages guacamole1 16-ounce container light sour cream or plain Greek yogurt¾ package taco seasoning¼ teaspoon ground cumin1 small can sliced black olives1 large diced tomato3 green onions, fined chopped1 cup shredded cheddar cheeseMix refried beans and bean dip together and spread onto the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch pan.Next, mix sour cream or yogurt together with taco seasoning and cumin. Spread on top of the beans in the pan.Spread guacamole on top of the previous layers then add olives, green onion and tomatoes. Top with the shredded cheese and serve with your favorite chips.
4 ounces guacamole1 12-inch purchased, baked pizza bread shell1 tablespoon olive oil½ cup corn kernels, fresh or canned½ cup salsa½ cup thinly sliced green onions¼ cup chopped Anaheim chile¼ cup red bell pepper1 cup Feta cheese1 tablespoon chopped, fresh oreganoBrush pizza bread shell with olive oil. Spread salsa over shell. Spread guacamole over salsa. Sprinkle corn, green onions, Anaheim chile, bell pepper, cheese and oregano on top.Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil.Bake at 450 degrees until cheese is lightly browned, about 10 minutes.
