Football season has arrived! Like everything else in 2020, though, this year looks different. Heading to the stadium for a tailgate or going to a local bar to watch the game is not something most of us can do right now. But, what we CAN do is enjoy all the game day food. Whether you’re able to watch a college team on Saturday or pro team Sunday, have a game day feast at home!
Boiled peanuts are a football staple in the South. Brenda Dixon (Mt. Juliet, TN) shared her Game Day Boiled Peanuts recipe that’s so good.
“These boiled peanuts are a great game day snack,” thinks Brenda. “They can be cooked ahead of time and reheated in the microwave or the Crock Pot.”
The raw peanuts soak in water that’s salty and spicy. They cook in a slow cooker for 24 hours. Once done, the peanuts are perfection and full of flavor. Grab one handful and you won’t be able to stop snacking.
Okemah Barton’s (Farmington, AR) Almost Buffalo Chicken Dip is so tasty. She puts a twist on the dip and I could not get enough of it.
“I read the recipes out there, saved a few too, but we like our food a bit spicy,” shares Okemah. “I didn’t have the money to get all the new spices, so used what we had. Very good, very easy, and makes a ton of dip.”
This dip has chicken, spice, ranch, and blue cheese flavor from Buffalo chicken dip, but without the vinegary tang. Instead, it has enhanced flavor from the green chilies and garlic chili sauce for spice. You can always increase the chili sauce if you like stuff very spicy. A super easy dip recipe.
Wings are a favorite of mine during football season and Michelle Wolf (Berlin, NJ) shared a recipe for Our Favorite Garlic Parm Wings that are always gone in a flash.
“Hot wings are so common, yet this recipe stands out for our family,” reveals Michelle. “We love them and we put the sauce on every type of chicken, not just wings.”
Michelle’s wing sauce is fabulous. It’s buttery and creamy with great Parmesan flavor. The garlic is not very strong. If you want a stronger garlic flavor, add a bit of garlic powder to pump up the flavor. A bit sweeter? Add honey as Michelle suggests.
Is it game day without chili? Not at my house. Kay Cowell’s (Bedford, TX) Football Chili is always a winner.
“When the first hint of a chill in the air comes on my family looks forward to the first pot of football chili,” explains Kay. “It will warm you to your toes and don’t worry about what to do with leftovers because there won’t be any.”
What a hearty chili that’s full of meat and beans. It’s perfect for the fall and football season. The tomato and chilies give this chili a little bit of a bite but not too overpowering. Chili powder and cumin add a ton of flavor. This is a great chili recipe if you have a large family.
I love my sweets and Kelli Thomas’ (Omaha, NE) Fudgy Brownie Cookies can be made in a snap.
“These cookies will satisfy your chocolate craving,” says Kelli. “They have the texture of a brownie!”
If you love fudgy brownies and cookies as I do then this recipe is for you. It’s like a brownie and a cookie combined with big chocolate chunks. They’re tender, chewy, and packed with chocolate flavor. People in the Test Kitchen started to sneak these before the cookies cooled – they looked that good. They were equally as good after they completely cooled. Ooey gooey goodness!
Hopefully, we get an entire season in, but even if we don’t we know we’ll eat well. Want even more recipes? Check out our Tailgate Recipes collection for some other game day ideas. Happy Pinching!