Game Day Entertaining
October 6, 2018
Alabama vs Arkansas
Auburn vs Mississippi State
Barbecue Crostini Football Party
There’s no better way to get football party festivities underway than to set the tone with a menu featuring the Alabama Crimson Tide opponents very own mascot as the main course. Dixieland delights featuring pulled pork may be prepared from scratch or picked up in advance from your favorite barbecue restaurant depending on the time you have available to plan for festivities. When combined with smoky cheese sporting Auburn team colors, it’s a win-win for both of the yellowhammer state fan bases. Get ready to elevate your game day celebration with this lovely menu filled with fun & exceptional good taste.
The Game Plan
Bake the crostini up to two days ahead of time.
Place in zip top bags until ready to use.
Bake the cheesecake up to one day ahead.
Decorate the surface with the football laces pattern & chill.
Prepare Smoked Pulled Pork the day before or pick it up from your favorite barbecue joint.
Reheat just before serving.
Arrange the toppings & sauce in ramekins just before serving.
Organize plates, linens & utensils on trays.
Create a separate area with barware essentials.
The Menu
Barbecue Crostini Football Party
Southern style barbecue stars in this menu filled with loads of team taunting twists. Crostini toasts topped with smoky pulled pork, spicy cheese & rich barbecue sauce offer big taste with minimal effort that everyone will love. Indulgent cheesecake clenches the win when decorated to resemble the game winning ball.
Barbecue Crostini
Smoky Chipotle Cheese
Classic Crostini Toasts
Fresh Jalapeños * Cilantro * Lime Wedges
Triple Chocolate Football Cheesecake
Beer * Water * Crimson Bloody Mary
Barbecue Crostini
makes 12 appetizer servings
The Basic Fundamentals
Smoked Chicken, Buttermilk-Herb Barbecue Sauce & Classic Dill Pickle Chips would make equally tasty toppings for the toasts.
Classic Crostini Toasts
Smoky Chipotle Cheese
1 lb Smoked Pulled Pork
Barbecue sauce
Fresh jalapeños * Cilantro * Lime wedges
Prepare the Classic Crostini Toasts & Smoky Chipotle Cheese as directed. Top the toasts with the cheese, pulled pork, barbecue sauce & desired toppings.
The Extra Point
Serve this menu for a variety of entertaining such as birthday celebrations, supper club gatherings & casual summer parties.
Smoky Chipotle Cheese
makes 3 1/2 cups
The Basic Fundamentals
Shredding the Cheddar & Monterey Jack cheese with peppers on a box grater will deliver a better texture to the spread. Do not omit this crucial step.
1 {8-oz} block extra sharp Cheddar cheese
1 {8-oz} block Monterey Jack cheese with peppers
1/2 {8-oz} package softened cream cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise
3 scallions, minced
1 garlic clove, minced
2 Tbsp minced chipotle chile peppers in adobo sauce
4 tsp adobo sauce
1 1/2 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper
Shred the cheeses on the large holes of a box grater into a large bowl. Fold in the cream cheese & the mayonnaise until blended. Stir in the scallions, the garlic, the chipotle peppers, the adobo sauce & the cilantro. Season with salt & pepper.
The Extra Point
Use the spread on burgers from grill or serve with a lovely crudité platter.
Classic Crostini Toasts
makes about 12 appetizer servings
The Basic Fundamentals
The key is to bake the toasts long enough to slightly dry the bread but not too long too where they are dry & chewy. Look for lightly browned edges as your cue that the toasts are ready.
2 {15-oz} quality baguette, cut into 5/16-inch slices
1/2 cup olive oil
Kosher salt & freshly ground pepper
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Arrange the bread slices in a single layer on half sheet pans. Brush the slices with oil. Bake, in batches, 10 minutes. Switch the oven to the broil setting. Place the pan under the broiler. Cook an additional 1 to 2 minutes or until the toasts are lightly browned. Sprinkle generously with salt & pepper. Cool completely.
The Extra Point
Use the toasts to accompany soups & salads or serve them with variety of dips such as Lemon-Garlic Hummus or Blue Cheese-Pecan Spread.
Triple Chocolate Football Cheesecake
makes 16 servings
Run The Option
The cheesecake may be prepared in a standard 13 x 9-inch oval baking dish for a thinner dessert with more surface area. Follow the link for detailed instructions.
8 chocolate cream filled cookies, broken into quarters
1 Tbsp melted butter
1 1/4 cups bittersweet chocolate morsels, divided
1 {8-oz} package cream cheese, softened
1 {8-oz} package reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder
2 eggs
1/4 cup plus 1 Tbsp heavy whipping cream
2 Tbsp white chocolate morsels
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 Tbsp softened butter
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Pulse the cookie pieces in a food processor until finely crushed. Combine the cookie crumbs & the butter. Line a 9 x 6 x 2-inch casserole dish with foil extending over the sides. Lightly grease the foil with cooking spray. Press the crumbs into the dish. Bake 5 minutes. Microwave 3/4 cup of the chocolate in a small bowl on High 45 to 60 seconds, stirring often, until melted & smooth. Let stand 5 minutes. Beat the cream cheese & the sugar with an electric mixer 1 to 1 1/2 minutes on High. Add the melted chocolate to the cream cheese mixture. Blend on Low, about 20 seconds. Add the cocoa powder & blend on Low, about 20 seconds. Add the eggs & blend just until smooth, about 20 seconds. Pour the batter into the prepared dish & spread in an even layer to the edges. The batter will reach the top of the dish. Bake on a half sheet pan 55 minutes or until the center is just set when slightly jiggled. The cake will begin the pull away from the sides & rise about 1/4-inch above the dish lip. Cool 1 hour at room temperature. Chill 8 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
Remove the cheesecake from the dish. Remove the foil. Place on a serving platter. Microwave the remaining 1/2 cup chocolate & 1/4 cup cream in a small bowl on High 45 to 60 seconds. Stir the mixture during the cooking process & whisk until smooth. Pour the ganache over the top of the cheesecake & spread to the edges. Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to allow the ganache to set completely. Microwave the white chocolate & the remaining 1 tablespoon cream in a medium bowl on High power 20 to 30 seconds. Whisk until smooth. Refrigerate the mixture for 5 minutes. Beat in the powdered sugar & the butter with an electric hand mixer until creamy. Fill a piping bag fit with a plain tip. Pipe lines over the surface of the cheesecake to resemble a football laces pattern. Chill until ready to serve. Cut into pieces using a chef knife.
The Extra Point
Replace one of the packages of cream cheese with another reduced fat version for a lighter cheesecake or prepare it using all regular.
FROM THE SOUTHERN HOSTESS OF BUTTERMILK LIPSTICK
{helpful advice}
How To Talk A Good Game Of Football
Learn some facts & get in the game. Be certain you’re up-to-date with the team matchups each week. While perusing the tailgating spread option with a cocktail in tow, it’s always a smart idea to have a few tidbits of information to offer when small talk beckons with Uncle Jebediah who’s inevitably reaching in for another rib. Here are some team facts & a smidgen of history to help you navigate a game winning conversation full of football know-how.
Alabama vs Arkansas
One of the most memorable matchups between Alabama led by Coach Mike Shula & Arkansas led by Coach Houston Nutt was played in Fayetteville in 2006 when the game went into overtime twice with the Razorbacks clenching the 24-23 win against the Crimson Tide with an 11 yard touchdown pass. The Razorbacks host Alabama in Donald W Reynolds Razorback Stadium Saturday with a kick-off scheduled for 11 am cst on ESPN.
Auburn vs Mississippi State
In 2015, Mississippi State took home the victory against the Auburn Tigers who suffered an overall miserable season in general but the very next year came back to secure the win. They clenched a 38-14 victory in the Bulldogs very own Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Mississippi. The Bulldogs host Auburn in Starkville with a 6:30 pm cst kickoff on ESP2.
etc
Game Day Entertaining 101
Visit these posts for more football & tailgating party inspiration
113 Best Tailgating Recipes, Football Party Menus & Game Day Crafts
Salted Cashew Mississippi Mud Brownies
Pimiento Cheese-Bacon Tailgating Bread
Pull Apart Pepperoni Pizza Bread
The Ultimate Game Day Snack Mix
Game Day Logistics 101: Kick-Off A Smashing Tailgate Season
Game Day Provisions 101: Gridiron Whiskey Caramel Corn
Game Day Crafts 101: Gridiron Tailgating Bags
Game Day Crafts 101: Almond Footballs
The Tune
“Hotel California” The Eagles
social butterfly
instagram: buttermilklipstick
facebook: Buttermilk Lipstick
twitter: Buttermilk Lipstick@ButtermilkLips
{college football} Rebecca Gordon@TidefanFare
pinterest: Buttermilk Lipstick
Rebecca Gordon
Be sweet.
No comments yet.