A Winning Game Day Feast
Fall is my favorite time of year. It’s all about the heartwarming food, the cool crisp air, the vibrant colors, and of course… Football!
Football has been a part of my life since I was a small girl. My first football memories are watching the Pittsburgh Steelers games with my dad and nibbling throughout the day on the “football food” that my mom would prepare (a “make your own taco bar” was a personal favorite!). Over the years dad started to dabble in the kitchen and would prepare our game day fare — elaborate veggie platters with dip (each vegetable was cut into perfectly sized pieces), shrimp cocktails, mini bagel dogs, chicken wings, pickled herring, and guacamole with pretzels. This unusual assortment of goodies was just to whet our appetite for the main game day attraction – Dad’s Ribs. These legendary ribs are eagerly anticipated throughout our family and friends. The process starts the night before by soaking hickory chips in water — this will ensure that the chips will not burn when they are placed around the charcoal. To prep the meat before smoking, my Dad removes the rib membrane (skin covering the back) – his secret to ensure that the hickory penetrates the meat and rib bone. The ribs are then smoked for 2 hours in a kettle grill over indirect heat. After coming off the grill, they are basted with a tangy barbecue sauce that makes these ribs irresistible.
And now that I’ve hosted a few of these game days myself, I would like to pass along to you my winning game day picks.
PreGame – Guests Arriving
- Chips and salsa (I usually serve two types of salsa TSG Black Bean and Corn and a homemade version)
- Hummus and pita chips
- Crudité platter with assorted olives, cheeses, and flatbreads
End of 1st Quarter
- Buffalo Chicken Dip (made easy with TSG Brazen Buffalo Blue Cheese Blend)
- Quesadillas – try the TSG Mango and Chicken Quesadillas or Tangy Quesadillas
Half Time
- Assorted Mini Sandwiches
- Thin Crust Pizzas
End of 3rd Quarter
- Ice Cream Brownie Sundaes (made even easier using TSG Breathtaking Deep Chocolate Brownie Mix)
And don’t forget to offer assorted frosty beverages – Go Team!!
1 Comment October 14, 2010
