Stepping Out

Score big on Super Sunday

Host a winning game day gathering

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The biggest sports day of the year commands attention from most of us on Sunday — when the action centers around that TV screen.
The annual NFL championship game stands out as a day when family and friends are drawn together — ardent fans and even those who aren’t into the game but just want to check out the commercials and half-time show.
Those classic commercials, historic plays and close company are all quintessential elements to the perfect game-day get-together. As the opening kickoff draws closer, here are some keys to Super Sunday party success.
Know your playing field: Your home is only so big, and that means keeping the invites to a sensible number. Crowding too many people into the house can be uncomfortable, never mind trying to talk and hear above the cacophony of too many people.
Watch the clock: Hardcore fans clearly will not want to miss any of the action. Therefore, coordinate refreshments and other components of the party to the timing of the game. Do the bulk of food preparation before kickoff and allow guests to mingle and fuel up before the game starts. Save finger foods and other snacks that are easily accessible for when the game starts. Guests can take a break at halftime and grab food and beverages that are set up buffet-style in another room.

Don’t run interference. There’s not much entertainment that needs to be scheduled on game day apart from the game itself. Ensure that the television is situated so nobody’s view is obstructed and that people moving in and out of the room need not cross in front of the TV.
Establish your playbook: Is it adults-only or are guests able to bring their kids along? Consider allocating a separate room in the house for kids’ play or for adults who are there for the social aspect of the party and will not necessarily be glued to the television.
Simplify the sideline set-up: To save time choose shareable favorites, dips and finger foods. Spice up your game day spread with tasty dips like a hearty Buffalo Chicken version.Crowd-pleasing buffalo flavor-inspired foods and football always seem to go together.

Buffalo Chicken Dip
1/2 cup Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce or Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings Sauce
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup blue cheese or ranch dressing
2 cups shredded cooked chicken
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese or your favorite shredded cheese

Preheat oven to 350° F.
Combine all ingredients in a 1-quart baking dish. Bake 20 minutes or until mixture is heated through; stir.
Garnish as desired. Serve with crackers, chips and veggies or any other favorite
dipper.

Classic Buffalo Wings
Buffalo Chicken Wings are are easy to make and always a classic

4 pounds chicken wings, cut at joints, tips removed, if desired
Sea salt, to taste
Ground black pepper, to taste
1/4 cup margarine
1/4 cup Frank’s Red Hot Sauce (or other type)
1 tablespoon white vinegar
Blue cheese dressing

Preheat oil to 350° F.
Season chicken wings with salt and
pepper.
Deep fry wings in small batches for 15-20 minutes, until crispy and golden brown. Drain wings on paper towels.
In small saucepan, combine butter, hot sauce and vinegar. Blend well over low heat.
Toss wings in sauce. Coat evenly.
Serve with celery stick and homemade blue cheese dressing.

Blue Cheese Dressing:
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 clove minced garlic
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese

Combine all ingredients.
Season with salt and fresh ground black pepper and chill.

Blazin’ Buffalo Potato Skins
A tasty twist a on a game day favorite

3 pounds small russet potatoes
Olive oil cooking spray
1 cup shredded reduced-fat or regular Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup shredded rotisserie chicken
1/4 cup buffalo wing sauce
1/2 cup crushed Blue Diamond Hint of Sea Salt Nut-Thins
1/3 cup chopped Blue Diamond Smokehouse Almonds
1/2 cup light sour cream
1/4 cup sliced green onion tops

Preheat oven to 450° F and line baking sheet with foil.
Rinse potatoes and pat dry; pierce with fork or sharp knife. Place in large microwave-safe bowl; cover and microwave on HIGH for 15 minutes or until potatoes are soft when gently squeezed. Remove and let cool slightly.
Cut in half and scoop out potato leaving 1/4-inch rim of potato inside skin. Place on prepared baking sheet and spray both sides of potato skins liberally with cooking spray; bake for 15 minutes to crisp.
Sprinkle equal amounts of cheese into each skin. Stir together chicken and wing sauce and spoon over cheese. Top with nut chips and almonds and bake for 5 minutes more. Add dollop of sour cream to each and sprinkle with green onions. Serve with and additional wing sauce, if desired. Makes 6-8 servings.

Bacon Avocado Dip
1 large avocado, peeled and mashed
1/2 tomato, seeded and chopped
1/3 cup Blue Diamond Jalapeno Smokehouse Almonds, chopped
1/4 cup diced red onion
3 strips cooked bacon, roughly chopped
2 tablespoons sour cream
1 teaspoon minced garlic
Juice of 1/2 lime
Salt and pepper, to taste

In small bowl, mix all ingredients. Serve with tortilla chips or other favorite dippers, such as carrots, bell peppers and broccoli.

Honey Dijon Pretzel Chicken Tenders
1 package (about 1 1/4 pound) chicken tenders
1 egg, whisked
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup crushed pretzels
1 cup crushed Blue Diamond Honey Dijon Almonds

In small bowl, coat raw chicken with egg, mustard and spices. Let marinate in refrigerator for 20 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375° F.
Mix pretzels and almonds, and spread on large plate in even layer. Coat each chicken tender in pretzel-almond mixture, then place on greased baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.