Game Day Tailgating
Southern Socials
Fan-Favorite Snacks
Rich marinara & cheese topped game day specialties are guaranteed to tackle those linebacker-sized appetites. Open your doors & let the crisp Fall air in, then cozy up with a few warm-from-the-oven specialties. Game Day Meatball Grinders pack a mean punch even though they’re served in miniature submarine sandwich buns. The homemade meatballs take a about 10 minutes to prepare & can be made well in advance. Simply brown them in a little oil, simmer in sauce & run them under the broiler to quickly melt the cheese. If humble pie is more your speed, Ultimate Supreme Pizza Dip will not disappoint. Topped with a blend of meats, vegetables & cheeses, there’s something for everyone to go wild over. Be certain to finish strong. Pumpkin Spice Bunting Crackers not only feature one of the seasons best spice blends but they can also be arranged on a platter or tailgating table to serve as an effortless decoration. Weave a bit of ribbon or twine to & fro then place the treats over the top to complete the beautiful pass.
The Game Plan
Prepare the meatballs up to 2 days ahead of time. Cover & chill.
Once cooked, hold on the Warm setting in a slow cooker, if desired.
The pizza dip can be layered & topped in the dish up to 1 day ahead.
Bake the dip just before guests arrive.
The crackers can be made several days in advance.
Make a double or triple batch depending on the size of your crowd.
When tailgating at home, utilize some of your more special serving pieces.
Mason jars work overtime as beverage jars & condiment containers.
Add a bit of game day style to the table with a few swags of Football Bunting.
Pennant Swizzle Sticks make a fun garnish for any drink served.
The Menu
Fan-Favorite Snacks
Melty cheese snacks filled with spicy marinara sauce are always crowd pleasers when tailgating. These hearty recipes are perfect for hosting a houseful of football fanatics who plan to catch all of the gridiron action on the television. Meatball subs & pizza dip will keep appetites satisfied while the kids can enjoy a little sweet treat all their own.
Game Day Meatball Grinders
Ultimate Supreme Pizza Dip
Pumpkin Spice Bunting Crackers
Crostini toasts * Pita crackers
Pineapple-Bourbon Slushies
Game Day Meatball Grinders
makes 8 servings
The Basic Fundamentals
Prepare & form the meatballs up to 2 days ahead of time. Cover & chill. Brown them & proceed with the recipe as directed just before meal time.
1 {16-oz} package hot Italian sausage
1/2 lb 80% lean ground beef
3/4 cup soft bread crumbs
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
2 eggs
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
2 {24-oz} jars marinara sauce
8 miniature sub sandwich rolls
1 cup Italian blend cheese
Chopped fresh parsley & crushed red pepper flakes
Remove the sausage from the casings, if necessary. Fold together the sausage & the next 6 ingredients in a large bowl until blended. Portion the mixture using a small ice cream disher into 32 {1 1/2-inch} meatballs. Place onto a parchment paper-lined half sheet pan & chill 10 minutes. Brown the meatballs in hot oil in a large non-stick skillet, in batches, 2 to 3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove from the skillet & drain on paper towels. Bring the marinara sauce to a simmer over Medium heat in a 4-quart saucepan or a Dutch oven. Add the meatballs, reduce the heat to Medium-Low, loosely cover & simmer 10 minutes or until thoroughly cooked, stirring occasionally.
Cut an oval out of the top of the rolls & remove. Tear out some of the bread forming a boat or shell & fill with 4 to 5 meatballs. Place on a lightly greased foil-lined half sheet pan. Top evenly with the cheese. Broil 1 to 2 minutes or until the cheese melts. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley & crushed red pepper flakes.
The Extra Point
The meatballs & sauce can be served with cooked spaghetti for a delicious weeknight meal.
Ultimate Supreme Pizza Dip
makes 10 servings
The Basic Fundamentals
Microwave the cream cheese on High in a large glass bowl for 15 to 20 seconds to soften quickly & save time on clean up.
1/2 lb 80% lean ground beef
1 cup marinara sauce
1 {8-oz} package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup freshly grated, finely shredded Parmesan cheese
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1/2 cup shredded Italian blend cheese
7 large or 20 miniature pepperoni slices
1/4 cup black olives
1/4 cup shaved red onion
Fresh basil or parsley & crushed red pepper flakes
Crostini toasts or pita crackers
Brown the ground beef in a small non-stick skillet until no longer pink. Drain. Set aside 1/3 cup beef. Stir together the remaining beef & the marinara sauce. Set aside.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine the cream cheese, the mayonnaise, the Parmesan & the garlic in a large bowl. Spoon into a lightly greased 2-quart casserole dish or an 8-inch cast iron skillet. Top with the marinara mixture. Sprinkle with the Italian cheese blend. Arrange the reserved beef, the pepperoni, the black olives & the red onion over the cheese. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until warm in the center & the cheese is melted. Top with fresh basil or parsley & crushed red pepper flakes. Serve with crostini toasts or pita crackers.
The Extra Point
Basil is a very delicate fresh herb. Add to the dip just before serving for a bright pop of flavor. However as the dip stands, you may notice the color to change. This is normal & will still taste delicious all the same.
Pumpkin Spice Bunting Crackers
makes 4 dozen
The Basic Fundamentals
The recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to feed a hungry crowd of football fanatics. Simply increase the sugar mixture & bake them in batches.
48 triangular pita crackers
1 egg white
2 Tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Arrange the crackers on a parchment paper-lined half sheet pan. Brush the egg white over each cracker. Stir together the sugar & the pumpkin spice; sprinkle over the crackers. Bake 7 to 8 minutes or until the tops are dry & the sugar mixture is set. Cool completely, about 30 minutes
The Extra Point
Substitute ground cinnamon for the pumpkin spice for an irresistible snickerdoodle or churro inspired creation.
FROM THE KITCHEN OF BUTTERMILK LIPSTICK
{testing notes}
How To Welcome Guests When Tailgating At Home
Inviting a few friends over to watch the game at home opens up an array of food & beverage options a hostess can serve guests. Warm-from-the oven snacks & delightful signature cocktails set the tone for the afternoon that can lead to one smashing good time. With blender beverages all the rage, organize an area on a kitchen island or small table to create an irresistible delight. Pineapple-Bourbon Slushies are just the ticket to get the festivities underway & are guaranteed to score big.
Pineapple-Bourbon Slushies
makes 8 servings
Style Points
Heirloom silver demitasse spoons make a sweet addition to this fun game day cocktail.
3 cups sweetened iced tea
3 cups pineapple juice
1 cup orange-tangerine juice
1 cup bourbon
Garnish: Orange curls
Stir together the tea, the pineapple juice, the orange juice & the bourbon. Pour the mixture into two {4-cup} plastic storage containers. Freeze for 12 to 24 hours.
Remove both of the containers from the freezer. Let stand at room temperature 20 to 25 minutes. Place one of the semi-frozen blocks into a large stainless steel bowl & cut it into at least 16 pieces with a chef knife. The mixture will break apart easily into slushy sheets or chunks. Place the jar on the base of the blender. Add the icy chunks of the mixture to the blender jar & top with the lid. Place on the Manual setting & move the dial to Speed 8. Push the Start/Stop button to blend at 10 second intervals, stopping to stir the mixture with a long handled wooden spoon, for a total of 30 seconds. The digital clock will count how many seconds have passed in the blending process. Place the remaining semi-frozen block into a large stainless steel bowl. Cut into at least 16 pieces with a chef knife. Add to the blender base container with the rest of the mixture. Continue blending on the Manual setting at Speed 8. Push the Start/Stop button to blend at 10 second intervals, stopping to stir the mixture with a long handled wooden spoon, for a total of 30 seconds. The mixture will have a smooth & creamy sorbet-like texture. Pour or spoon the frozen cocktail into glasses. Garnish, if desired.
The Extra Point
The recipe can be stirred together & served over ice for an equally tasty cocktail creation.
etc
Game Day Entertaining
Visit these posts for more football & tailgating party inspiration
Game Day Provisions 101: Gridiron Whiskey Caramel Corn
Game Day Crafts 101: Tag Football Sacks
Game Day Crafts 101: Gridiron Tailgating Bags
Game Day Crafts 101: Almond Footballs
The Tune
“School Days” Chuck Berry
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Rebecca Gordon
Be sweet.
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