There are a number of reasons why folks get together to watch the big game. The commercials, the halftime show, and, of course, the food. What? At the end of the day, we just hope both teams have fun. Anyway, here are just a few of our favorite savory recipes to whip up whether we’re entertaining a crowd or keeping our circle tight.
Chicken Wing Charcuterie Board
Let’s get one thing straight: the charcuterie board you use for this can be as big as it needs to be. Now we don’t really have a recipe for this per se, but we have some tips from Kelley Nan.
- You can make your own wings and wing sauce or you can buy frozen ones, but whatever you choose to do, make sure you offer a variety of flavors. We recommend having mild, a little heat, and well, as spicy as you like ‘em.
- Offer a whole lotta ranch and blue cheese dressing. Milk-based products are going to soothe a spicy mouth, so don’t be stingy.
- Fresh veggies make an excellent garnish.
- Have a fat stack of wet wipes next to your board for your guests.
- Whether it’s a bowl, extra plate, or tiny trash can for each guest, make sure you have a place to toss the bones.
- Make sure guests know which wings are which by using place card holders. Bonus points if you can come up with creative heat name labels.
Loaded Tater Tot Skewers
Tater tot skewers are the ultimate way to eat tots. They’re crunchy, cheesy, bacon-y, and all-around perfection. Oh, and super easy to make and serve to a crowd and all that good stuff. Check out this recipe from Reserveamana.
Ingredients
- Tater tots (about 48 pieces)
- ½ cup cheddar cheese, grated
- ¼ cup real bacon bits
- 1-2 green onions, chopped
- sour cream
Instructions
- Bake the tater tots according to the package directions. I baked mine at 425F for 28 minutes, flipping them once halfway through.
- Remove from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes.
- When they’re cool enough to pick up with your fingers, add 4 to 6 tater tots to each skewer.
- Place the skewers on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle the cheese on top of the tater tots, then the bacon bits, and finally half of the chopped green onion.
- Return them to the oven and bake for another 5 to 7 minutes until the cheese is melted.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle them with the remaining green onions.
- Serve with sour cream.
Cheesy Thumbprint Appetizer
This unique appetizer is best described as a savory cheddar cheese biscuit vessel that transports a dollop of onion bacon jam to your mouth. Check out this recipe from I Am Baker.
Ingredients
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup (125g) flour
- 6 tablespoons (85g) butter, chilled and cubed
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1 cup homemade bacon jam, for filling
Instructions
- Blend cheese, flour, butter, salt, and garlic powder in your food processor until dough is a coarse-meal texture and forms into a ball. If your dough doesn’t seem to come together just keep processing until it does.
- Remove the dough from the KitchenAid food processor, form a tight ball, cover in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.
- Heat oven to 400°F.
- Remove the dough from the refrigerator and form 1 1/2 inch balls. Place them 1 inch apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 5-8 minutes and then remove from oven. Press a bottle cap (or thumb) into each cookie and then top with about 1 teaspoon of bacon jam. Return cheddar cookies to the oven for 5-8 minutes or until cookies are golden and the dough does not appear wet.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool to room temperature. These cheddar cookie appetizers can be served warm, cold, or room temperature. (We love them warm!)
- Sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving.