Game Day Goodies

I was going to be ambitious and try to post some recipes for the Super Bowl BEFORE the big game, but ended up not making it.  I'm still giving ya'll some recipes to try!  Here's what I made this year:

1.  BBQ Ranch Deviled Eggs.  I saw this recipe on Food Network one day at mom's, so decided to make them for the game.  They were YUMMY!  I didn't have any green onions, (and apparently the Kroger near me doesn't sell them) so we were missing that element.  They were delish without, but I can imagine how much better they'd be with the onions!  Here's my attempt:

First, I thought I'd be cool and try to keep the eggs from sliding by using grains of rice.  I've seen rice used as a presentation base on platters before, so I thought it would look nice and keep my eggs from sliding around. Plus, I have about 4 bags of rice (you can get this brand free from the grocery store with coupons), so I wasn't really risking much.

It was a good idea in theory because the eggs DIDN'T slide around.  However, then I picked one up and it was coated with rice on the bottom.  I didn't want my eggs to be crunchy, so I dumped the platter and started over.  

By the way, this is the BEST way I've ever hard boiled eggs.  Every time I've done it in the past, I end up tossing a couple because it's hard to peel or deformed, etc.  I put all the eggs in the bottom of the pan, covered with cold water and brought to a boil.  I then let them boil for two minutes, turned off the heat and covered the pan.  13 minutes later, they were done!  

After I mixed up the yolk mixture, I used an icing bag and start tip to make it look nice, and make it easy to fill the eggs.  

The final step was to drizzle with a bit of BBQ sauce.  I just snipped the tip of a Ziploc bag for this part.

Then to transport them, I used a small glass to cover the center egg and wrapped the platter in foil.  It only smudged one egg, but the rest were pristine after the trip to my parents' house.  

Recognize that platter?  That's my $1.00 platter from Goodwill that I posted about yesterday!

2.  Game Day Bars.  I found this recipe while looking for something to make for dessert for my community group gathering on Sunday.  I brought the leftovers to the game.  They weren't bad, but not my favorite.  They had chocolate chunks, peanuts, and pretzels mixed in and are similar to a cookie bar. 

 3.  I found a box of yellow cake mix in my pantry, so I also made Gooey Butter Cake (Paula Deen's recipe, and my go-to recipe).  I forgot how delish it was!  I think this will be my birthday cake this year!

Here's a couple that I didn't make this year, but I LOVE for watching a game:

4.  Hoagie Dip.  Fell in LOVE with this last year when I made it for the Super Bowl.  This was something I saw in Food Network Mag.  If you're a foodie, I recommend subscribing.  It's like Christmas every time I get one in the mail.  I drop everything and sit and flip through to see what's new.  It's not just recipes, but there are plenty of good ones!

5.  Beanie Weenies.  Everyone calls them something different, but always a favorite!

6.  Dorito Dip.  I remember my mom making this when I was a kid.  It's not real healthy, but MAN is it GOOD!  Just mix this up, and serve it warm with Doritos.  I remember always sprinkling cheddar across the top once it was eaten and re-heating it.  I had mom send me the recipe because I couldn't find anything close enough online:

8 oz sour cream
1 lge pkg Philadelphia Cream Cheese

Blend w mixer then add:

1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup diced tomatoes
1/2 cup diced green peppers

Add these to cheese mixture. Then sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese & Lawry seasoning on top. Pop in microwave for 3 min. or until cheese melts.

7.  Amaretto Fruit Dip.  This is a different tasting fruit dip than most people are used to, but I think the amaretto flavor adds the perfect "nuttiness".  Mix this up and serve with fruit like cantaloupe, honey dew, and strawberries.  However, I think the BEST with this dip is red and green apples and bananas.  YUM!

8.  People Treats.  Well...that's what my family calls them now.  They're really bacon-wrapped crackers, sometimes called "Candied Pigs".  They're easy, though they do take some time.  I don't even need to look at the recipe anymore because they've been requested so much.  They're always a huge hit at parties and potlucks because they're so different and so good.  

9.  Veggie Pizza.  I kind of make my own variation of the linked recipe.  This is a good, healthy option for snacking.  I top mine with broccolini (it's broccoli, but tinier...perfect for bite-size snacks), carrots, green and red peppers, cherry tomatoes, and celery.  

And since I have mild OCD and need to end with an even number, here's one if you are the host and need to provide the main meal:

10.  London Broil & Portobello Sandwiches.  I made these for the first time in high school.  They're filling, delicious, and not too complicated but make you look like a gourmet chef.  

Hope you found something you can use for upcoming parties or bookmark for next football season.  If you have any good recipes to share, please do!  I'm always looking for more to add to my collection!