Semi-OT: Your Go-To Party Contribution for THE GAME (Food)

Submitted by boliver46 on

Hi All!

Hopefully everyone has somewhere good to go to watch The Game - whether a local bar, friend's or family's home, etc.

We are headed to the home of a high school friend of mine that I haven't seen in almost 20 years and recently ran into and reconnected.

He is apparently a "party artist" and is well-known in his circle for kicking ass with entrees and sides for his parties.

Me...not so much.

I let him know this - and he told me to "just bring chips".  Cumong, man!

I was hoping for some input and/or recipes that people have had success with and/or really enjoy at a party for a game.  I am a "decent" cook - so easy yet awesome would be preferred.

I enjoy the BBQ posts every week on this blog, but unfortunately - I suck at smoking stuff. (No comments please! :P )

Meatballs, the standard buffalo chicken dip, and the like are seemingly already taken by others - so I'd like to "kick it up a notch" and not just bring chips.

MOMS - feel free to delete.  I am killing time until THE GAME but understand if this is Way OT.

 

***Yes, I know Google is my friend - but I'd prefer foods y'all recommend vs. random internet websites promoting products.***

MGoBoard
copious amounts of food
recipes

MGoBrewMom

November 23rd, 2016 at 10:39 AM ^

Beer EDIT: OK, so to not be such a jerk, I'll contribute, and clearly, I'm no Harriet Nelson. An easy one that requires zero cooking and about 5 minutes to make and it a hit with my friends is a lentil dip with 3 ingredients from Trader Joes. Ingredients: packaged lentils in refrigerated section. Container of "Bruscetta Mix" Conainer of crumbled Feta Rinse lentils, and then mix all the ingredients in a bowl. crackers or tortilla chips for dipping. Easy, yummy, and relatively healthy

Joined: 08/13/2009

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MGoBrewMom

November 23rd, 2016 at 10:52 AM ^

The brands matter, but this is the only way I've made it. TJ's always has a little corner with samples, and they had this, with the ingredients right there to grab. That's how I roll...EASY cooking/food prep ideas. I'm usually running here or there, and while I enjoy cooking, I like these kinds of things...especially if someone else is doing the heavy lifting for a party. Good luck! Sounds like a fun time either way!

Joined: 08/13/2009

MGoPoints: 22969

pdgoblue25

November 23rd, 2016 at 11:13 AM ^

"You got anymore of those little oyster crackers?"

Scully- "You ate em all"

....."Ahh, they were good.... Maybe I'll just have another beer then, they're pretty filling.....and probably better for me"

Joined: 03/03/2010

MGoPoints: 18959

mgokev

November 23rd, 2016 at 11:09 AM ^

You are right about the sogginess. You could core the peppers in advance and just broil them in their oven for a few if you rotate. But charcoal really makes a difference. Maybe it's a bad recommendation for your situation lol



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Joined: 06/17/2009

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Pepto Bismol

November 23rd, 2016 at 10:35 AM ^

At every party I attend, it never fails that someone will show up with a Crave Case of White Castle burgers or a couple boxes of Taco Bell Tacos.  Everybody laughs - hahaha - what a funny gag.  And without fail, those suckers are always the first to go. 

 

Joined: 02/03/2015

MGoPoints: 7857

boliver46

November 23rd, 2016 at 10:37 AM ^

Pepto!

That would be awesome.  Unfortunately, I live in Toledo - and the nearest White Castle is in Ann Arbor. (Dammit Ohio!)

Joined: 09/14/2012

MGoPoints: -3374

SoDak Blues

November 23rd, 2016 at 12:12 PM ^

We tried to have a relatively "classy" holiday party a few years back and one of my good buddies brought a twenty burritos and tacos from Taco Bell along with Mountain Dew. Did the baked brie or smoked salmon go? Absolutely not. Were the tacos gone after 20 minutes? You bet.

Joined: 09/24/2015

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Stashamo

November 23rd, 2016 at 11:23 AM ^

I've gotten the Friday's frozen kind. heat it up a bit, add extra fresh shredded parm and mozzarella cheeses. drop in food processor to bust up their too-big artichoke pieces

Joined: 03/09/2013

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Sledgehammer

November 23rd, 2016 at 11:57 AM ^

Spinach dip:
- 1 cup mayo
- 1 cup sour cream
- frozen chopped spinach (thawed and drained)
- a packet of onion soup mix

Put it all in a bowl and mix. Make it the night before as the longer you let it sit, the better it tastes. One loaf of pumpernickle should be plenty for the amount of dip made. It is really simple and always goes over well at my gatherings.

Joined: 09/05/2011

MGoPoints: 11289

LSAClassOf2000

November 23rd, 2016 at 10:37 AM ^

I admit that I tend to overdo these things, these sorts of requests - last time I went to a gathering like this, I actually brought Gratin Dauphinois style potatoes (basically fancy scalloped potatoes) rather than just chips and soda, although I did bring those as well. Another time, homemade Spaetzle, which paired well with Sprite, weirdly enough. 

I do have a great authentic Swedish meatball recipe though - one of the perks of having a wife who is in fact part Swedish. 

REPLY TO BELOW - When I return home, this afternoon, I will get out the recipe file and share them here.

Joined: 01/07/2011

MGoPoints: 130610

boliver46

November 23rd, 2016 at 10:39 AM ^

you be willing to share the potato and meatball recipes?

I'm a sucker for meatballs so would love to make my own for another day...and the potatoes sound amazing and would be awesome to take!

I won't make Spaetzle after I screwed it up royally and my German mother beat me with a wooden spoon.

#TrueStory

Joined: 09/14/2012

MGoPoints: -3374

leu2500

November 23rd, 2016 at 1:00 PM ^

So if you like meatballs - this is buy 3 ingredients & heat: Frozen meatballs Bottle of chili sauce Jar (12 oz or so) of grape jelly. Dumb it all in a crockpot & cook until the meatballs are done (this will be sooner if you thaw the meatballs obviously) If you want to kick it up a notch, bake the meatballs before putting them in the crockpot. You get a good crust, better color, and less grease this way. You can play around with the jelly - plum jelly, pepper jelly, cranberry sauce, etc. just something sweet. No "eews" about the grape jelly. This tastes really good. Or little smokies Little smokies, BBQ sauce (Stubbs makes some nice ones I hear) & booze - beer or whiskey. This is to taste - less whiskey obviously. Dump in crockpot & heat.

Joined: 01/22/2011

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Wendyk5

November 23rd, 2016 at 10:46 AM ^

Homemade chipotle salsa: 

 

Put 2-3 pounds of roma tomatoes in a pot with a handful of dried chipotle chilies, and a generous pinch of salt or two. Add enough water to cover by a good inch and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down, then simmer for 40 minutes or so. In the meantime, peel three cloves of garlic and a small onion. Heat a griddle (cast iron is best) and lightly char the garlic and onions on all sides. When the tomato mixture is cool enough, throw it in a food processor or blender along with the garlic and onions and puree. Add chopped cilantro if you want. Taste for salt, and add more if necessary. 

Joined: 11/20/2008

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Wendyk5

November 23rd, 2016 at 1:18 PM ^

The original recipe calls for 12 cloves of garlic, so if you like it extra garlicky, that's the way to go. It also calls for the garlic to be simmered with the tomatoes, but I like the taste of it charred. You could do it either way. Also, the amount of chilies is 4 oz, or about 25 to 30. They're very small and you usually can buy a 4 oz. bag of them at any grocery that has mexican food.

Joined: 11/20/2008

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