Game Day Entertaining
Hang Time
Take It Easy
Slow cookers are some of the most indispensable pieces of equipment you can count on for number of tasks in the kitchen. Their value hits the mark by providing a range of hardworking benefits time & time again. From hands-free cooking to keeping foods hot & at the proper temperature for extended periods of time, slow cookers make everyday meal prep & entertaining more manageable. There are a wide variety of products available to consumers that step in to help make some of your favorite recipes a snap to prepare. Crowd-pleasing cheese dips, hearty game day soups & stews, family-style chicken dinners & even stone ground grits can be prepared in a slow cooker. The most important factor is knowing what foods perform best under the lid for extended periods of time & the preparations that need to take place in order for them to perform well during the process. The good news is that it isn’t difficult nor time consuming in the least. A seasoning blend or smattering of fresh herbs can provide eye-catching appeal & stellar flavor to average recipes if you know where & when to add them during food preparation. Everything you need to know in order to host fabulous parties & cook everyday meals is outlined in The Tailgaters Quick Reference Slow Cooker Guide. Look to it throughout the season to make recipe planning, meal prep & game day gatherings a breeze.
Smokin’ Hot Chicken Chili
makes 6 to 8 servings
The Basic Fundamentals
Reduce the amount of chipotle peppers for a milder, more family friendly version of this popular dish.
1 large sweet onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, pressed
1 Tbsp cumin
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 1/2 tsp table salt
1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed
3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced
3 {15.5-oz} cans cannellini beans, rinsed & drained
2 {15.5-oz} cans dark red kidney beans, rinsed & drained
1 {32-oz} box chicken broth
Toppings: Cheddar cheese, scallions, cilantro, sour cream & lime juice
Layer the onion & the garlic in a lightly greased crock of a slow cooker. Toss together the cumin, the chili powder & the salt. Rub the spices onto the chicken thighs & place over the onions in the crock. Toss in the chipotle peppers. Add the beans to the crock. Pour the 32-oz box of broth over all or the ingredients in the crock. Wipe the rim of the crock & place the lid on top. Cook 9 to 10 hours on LOW. Remove the lid & stir the chili vigorously to break the chicken up a bit. Serve with desired toppings.
Traditional Stove Top Instructions
Sauté the onion in a lightly greased Dutch oven over Medium-High heat for 5 minutes or until softened. Add the garlic & cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the broth adding 1 additional {14.5-oz} can plus 2 cups water. Puree one can of the cannelini beans. Add to the Dutch oven with the remaining beans & the chipotle peppers. Toss together the cumin, the chili powder & the salt. Rub the spices onto the chicken thighs & place in the pot.
Bring to a boil over High heat. Reduce the heat to Medium-Low. Simmer, stirring occasionally, 45 minutes or until the chicken shreds easily with a fork. Serve with your favorite toppings. Transfer to a slow cooker to keep warm, if desired.
The Extra Point
Change the color & texture of the chili by substituting different legumes such as black-eyed peas or beans & pintos.
FROM THE SOUTHERN HOSTESS OF BUTTERMILK LIPSTICK
{helpful advice}
How To Navigate Slow Cookers
Hosting fans on game day or making a satisfying supper is cinch when a slow cooker comes into play. Three of my favorite types are outlined with the benefits of each included. These essential players offer an effortless cooking method, minimal prep & clean up that will save loads of time in the long run. Follow my advice & be certain that one of these valuable pieces of equipment is stocked in your own kitchen.
The Tailgaters Quick Reference Slow Cooker Guide
Planning & logistics are key to any great gathering so put on your game face.
This straightforward playbook will prove to be indispensable for hands-free cooking.
Use it to keep foods warm on game day all season long.
No. 1
The Equipment
Slow cookers come in a variety of sizes with different features to help the home cook navigate meal preparation specific to their needs & lifestyle. A standard 6-quart capacity with a simple High, Low & Warm dial is my personal favorite but many offer programmable features that automatically switch to the Warm setting when cooking is complete. Always hold on to the manufacturers guide that comes with the equipment & be certain to reference it when specific components come into play. Many have latches that aide in spill-free transport. Some models can be latched while cooking while other models should not. Follow these pointers to navigate some of the products available.
The Playmakers
Look to these models & sizes to step in for a variety of cooking tasks that provide delicious wholesome meals & snacks, easy-to-use features & smart, stylish design.
The Scrappy Slow Cooker
Gingham 3-Quart Slow Cooker
By: Hamilton Beach
It may be small but this hardworking cooker offers big style & flavor when tasty game day morsels come into play. Warm cheese dip can be prepared & served in this 3-quart capacity slow cooker making it one of the most effortless recipes you should have on the roster for a fiesta inspired tailgating menu. Put it to the test with a tailgaters fan-favorite, Chunky Queso Dip. This cooker can also step in for the weeknight meal preparation of a 3-pound chicken or a 2-pound roast.
The Basic Fundamentals
Stay or Go 6-Quart Portable Slow Cooker
By: Hamilton Beach
This slow cooker features easy to use High, Low & Warm settings plus a game day design that looks great. The lid clips on tightly for spill free transporting making it breezy to take hot foods to tailgates & pot luck gatherings. Put it to the test with the Smokin’ Hot Chicken Chili featured.
The Championship Title
Set & Forget Programmable 6-Quart Slow Cooker
By: Hamilton Beach
The beauty of this kitchen staple is that you can set the timer & go about your day plus the sides latch for easy transporting. Once the cook time has expired, the appliance automatically switches to the Warm setting. Furthermore, the probe feature allows you to set the internal temperature of meats & when reached, it switches to the Warm setting automatically. Put it to the test with Hog Wash Boiled Peanuts.
The Additional Information
There are many sizes & models with extra features available. Look to 4 & 5-quart models to help with smaller meal prep. While 8-quart vessels tackle large tasks such as cooking a 6 pound roast or an 8 pound chicken. If you entertain big crowds or share meals often with friends, this model is for you.
No. 2
The Preparations
Preparations are a snap when using slow cookers. Add the ingredients to the crock & level in an even layer. Fill the crock at least half full or no higher than 1-inch from the top. Place the lid on top & check manufactures instructions if using a model with a latch to see whether it can be implemented during the process. Turn the dial to the desired cooking mode or set the timer & let the appliance do the rest of the work for you.
No. 3
The Logistics
One of the best features of slow cookers is their versatility in not only cooking foods but in serving them, too. A hostess can attend to other tasks during parties while guests can help themselves to temperature-safe recipes.
The Cooking
Seasoning blends & spice rubs not only add great flavor but beautiful appeal to foods. Paprika is a wonderful baseline to use when looking for a colorful appearance to chicken pieces that will be cooked in a slow cooker. Chili powder, cumin & chipotle powder are a great combination to use for pork based dishes. Look to bold colors & flavoring agents that add the best of both world’s to your favorite foods. Reach for these fresh ingredients when using in slow cookers: Rosemary, thyme, oregano, garlic, onions, carrot, potatoes & celery just to name a few. Canned beans in a variety of colors & tomatoes add vibrant color that looks great. Some of my favorite recipes to prepare in slow cookers include: Chilis, soups, stews, roasted chicken cooked over a blend of carrots, onion & potatoes, hearty beef roasts & pork shoulder that can be shredded & served with barbecue sauce.
The Serving
Really fabulous recipes that come out of the slow cooker can be enhanced further with chopped fresh cilantro or parsley to add a bright pop of color or diced avocado, tomato & onion. A little lemon or lime juice can really enhance the flavor of soups & chilis when added last.
The Entertaining Space
A kitchen island or a table pushed against the wall keeps the cord contained & safe. Add a tray organized with bowls, spoons & linens for serving. If toppings or chips are on the menu, fill ramekins & place them close at hand. Have a ladle near the slow cooker for easy serving that can rest atop a small plate when not in use.
Disclosure
Rebecca Gordon is a Hamilton Beach Brand Ambassador.
All of the options regarding the products featured are her own.
etc
Game Day Entertaining 101
Visit these posts for more football & tailgating party inspiration
Game Day Provisions 101: Reveille Pimiento Cheese Biscuits
Game Day Provisions 101: Pimiento Cheese Armadillo Eggs
Game Day Tailgating: Gridiron Picnic
Game Day Crafts 101: Football Pennants
Game Day Provisions 101: Alabama Cole Slaw
Game Day Provisions 101: Classic Fried Chicken
Game Day Provisions 101: Classic Potato Salad
Game Day Tailgating: A Smokin’ Hot Kick-Off
The Tailgaters Quick Reference BBQ Guide
The Tailgaters Essential Frying Guide
The Tailgaters Quick Reference BBQ Guide
The Essential Tailgating Social Cocktail Primer
The Essential Tailgating Tent Guide
Game Day Cocktails 101: Margarita Mimosas
Game Day Entertaining: The Dairy Playbook Of Tailgating Recipes
Game Day Provisions 101: Gridiron Whiskey Caramel Corn
Game Day Crafts 101: Gridiron Tailgating Bags
Game Day Crafts 101: Almond Footballs
The Tune
“Jangleboogie” Otis Spann
social butterfly
instagram: buttermilklipstick
facebook: Buttermilk Lipstick
twitter: Buttermilk Lipstick@ButtermilkLips
{college football} Rebecca Gordon@TidefanFare
pinterest: Buttermilk Lipstick
Rebecca Gordon
Be sweet.
Comments are closed.