It’s starting to feel like fall: the kids are back in school and the mercury has dropped below 90 for most of us. That means football on the weekends with your friends and family huddled around the game. While some folks like to get creative with their fare, we prefer a more traditional menu when we watch our favorite teams take the field. Here’s our playbook of must-haves, all of which pair well with a sangria in your hand:
1st Down – Nachos
Super easy and versatile (you may have the stuff in your cupboard right now), a good plate of nachos goes a long way. Beans, cheese, salsa, and sour cream are essential elements, but you can go deep by adding taco-seasoned turkey or beef, barbacoa, chili, diced chicken, or guacamole.
2nd Down – Layered Mexican Dip
My mom’s been making this dish for years and it’s an easy hack for any party. Put a layer of whipped cream cheese in a casserole dish, add a layer of mild taco sauce, then a layer of shredded Mexican cheese (the finer the shred the better). Top that with shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes, and you can garnish it with a few slices of jalapeno, if you dare. Sturdy corn chips carry the ball on this play, and it can’t miss!
3rd Down – Buffalo Wings
It’s just not a game without a good heap of leathery, sauced-up wings, am I right? You should really have to work for the meat, gnawing at the bones and making a mess of yourself, like a player in the mud. These can be tough to replicate at home, so you’re probably looking to bring in a free agent here, but there’s bound to be a decent place with serviceable wings near you. Spend the season trying all of the spots in your area to find a good fit, then keep dialing up that play each week. Interestingly, good wings can come from where you might not expect them (like the buffet at Whole Foods), so be sure your scouts cast a wide net. Wherever they come from, make sure they have the celery, carrots, and plenty of bleu cheese blocking for them, or it’s a 15-yard penalty!
4th Down – Chili
Invest in a good slow cooker, if you haven’t already, as it’s sure to be your MVP during football season. There are so many good recipes you can throw in there when you wake up that’ll be ready at half-time, but chili is the bell-cow, no doubt. Beef, turkey, or veggie, it’s always a game-changer. You can easily turn it into a full meal by serving it over rice, too.
Share your favorite football food plays to help others get in the game. Ready… Break!
By Jon Hansell | September 15, 2023