Best Recipes for Game Day

Our apartment community is the perfect place to host a big Game Day gathering for all your fanatic football friends. In one of our large grassy areas, you can play a match of your own to get out the built up energy and inspiration from watching games on the tube. And of course, if any of your friends are less than fanatic about football, you can entice them to your party with excellent food. The perfect Game Day buffet is simple and full of crowd pleasers like chips and dip, but also nuanced and unique with dishes like crispy grilled zucchini. 

Seven Layer Bean Dip

Hardly anyone can resist this delicious combination, and pretty much everyone can make it, including kids. It’s a great way to involve the whole family in Game Day preparation. Avocados and olives add festive color.

Prep: 20 Min

1 package taco seasoning mix

1 (16 ounce) can refried beans

1 cup cream cheese

2 cups sour cream

2 cups salsa

1 large tomato, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 bunch green onions, chopped

1 small head lettuce, chopped

1 (6 ounce) can sliced black olives, drained

2 cups shredded cheese of your choice (cheddar is great!)

Directions

• Mix the taco seasoning and refried beans. Spread the mixture into the bottom of a large deep-dish pan.
• Mix the sour cream and cream cheese in a bowl. Spread over the refried beans.
• Top the layers with salsa.
• Place a layer of tomatoes, green onions, and lettuce over the salsa, and then top with the cheese of your choice. Garnish with black olives and avocado.

Pigs in a Blanket

A classic crowd-pleaser!  Pigs in a Blanket is an iconic junk food and so perfect for Game Day. This recipe is easy to make and a fun pre-game activity with friends.

Prep: 15 minutes

Cook: 15 minutes

1 (8-ounce) can original crescent dough

1/4 cup Dijon mustard

20 mini hot dogs or cocktail franks

1 egg, lightly beaten

Poppy seeds or sesame seeds

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Cut each triangle of crescent roll dough into thirds lengthwise, making 3 small strips from each roll.
• Brush the dough strips lightly with Dijon mustard. Put the mini hot dogs on one end of the dough strip and roll up.
• Arrange the pigs in a blanket on a greased cookie sheet with seam side down. Brush with the egg wash and sprinkle with poppy seeds or sesame seeds.
• Bake until golden brown, about 12 to 15 minutes. Serve warm with the dipping sauce.

Fried Zucchini

This is the perfect way to utilize the last of the summer’s squash yield, whether from your own garden or store-bought. As an appetizer, fried zucchini never ceases to impress, even though it is so simple to make.

Prep: 15 minutes

Cook: 10 minutes

Olive oil, for frying

1 and 3/4 cups freshly grated Parmesan

1 and 1/2 cups breadcrumbs

3/4 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs

3 medium zucchini, cut into 3-inch long by 1/2-inch wide strips

Directions

• Pour a two-inch depth of oil into a large frying pan. Heat over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350 degrees F.
• Mix the Parmesan, breadcrumbs, and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk the eggs in a larger bowl. Dip the zucchini strips in the eggs to completely coat. Then dip the zucchini in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing to adhere and coat completely. Place the zucchini strips on a baking sheet.
• When the oil is hot, fry the zucchini sticks about three minutes, until they are golden brown. Transfer the fried zucchini to paper towels to drain.
• Sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan and serve.

Whether you make a smorgasbord of appetizers or just serve Seven Layer Bean Dip and chips, Game Day requires both good food and good company; good food is a sure way to attract good company.