Party & Food: Football Season

Living in San Diego for the past 5+ years and growing up in California my whole life, I am a huge Chargers fan.
But both Connie & I love a good football party!

Here are some fun party ideas to try this football season: 

Fun Football Dessert: Team Cupcakes

 

 

An easy but crowd pleasing dessert to make are team themed football cupcakes!

Start off by making the toppings for your cupcakes.

Football Cupcake Toppings, you will need:

• pretzel sticks (for the field goals)
• colored tootsie rolls (for the flag & bolts)
• caramels (for the footballs)
• skinny frosting tubes (for the football laces & flag designs)

All you do here is roll out the candies and cut to make you team themed cupcake toppings. The flags are easy, cut triangles then wrap around a pretzel stick. For the footballs shape into an oval to create a football.

Then bake your cupcakes, I just used boxed chocolate & vanilla cupcakes for these. Follow the directions on the box. I topped with canned frosting and added food dye to create yellow, blue & green frosting. So this part is very simple & easy and you won't stress out while preparing for your football party.

Here is a photo from the 1st Chargers Football game I went to in 2009

Football Appetizer: Homemade Jalapeno Poppers

 

Two ways to make your own!

 

 

# 1 Breaded Stuffed Jalapenos

Matt & I made these for Connie & Godwin when they came to visit us.

 

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 (8 ounce) package shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 tablespoon bacon bits
• 12 ounces jalapeno peppers, seeded and halved
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup dry bread crumbs
• 2 quarts oil for frying

Directions:

In a medium bowl, mix the cream cheese, Cheddar cheese and bacon bits. Spoon this mixture into the jalapeno pepper halves.

 Put the milk and flour into two separate small bowls. Dip the stuffed jalapenos first into the milk then into the flour, making sure they are well coated with each. Allow the coated jalapenos to dry for about 10 minutes.

 

Dip the jalapenos in milk again and roll them through the breadcrumbs. Allow them to dry, then repeat to ensure the entire surface of the jalapeno is coated.

In a medium skillet, heat the oil to 365 degrees F ( 180 degrees C). Deep fry the coated jalapenos 2 to 3 minutes each, until golden brown. Remove and let drain on a paper towel.
 

# 2 Pillsbury Crescent Roll Jalapeno Poppers

Connie made these delicious Jalapeno poppers

 

Ingredients:

• jalapeno peppers, seeded and cut
• 12 oz package cream cheese, softened
• 2 packages Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
• 4-5 slices bacon, cooked
• 1/4 cup chopped chives 

Directions:

 

First, wash & cut jalapeno peppers. Cut the bottom first, then place on cutting board standing up to cut sides.

 

 

Next, cook bacon & add to food processor with cream cheese and  chives, mixing until blended together and creamy.

 

Then lay out crescent roll sheets on cutting board. Flatten with hands to remove seams and form each sheet into a rectangle.

Cut each rectangle into fourths.

Add cream cheese mixture and jalapeno pepper slice to each section.

 

 

Fold sides over to cover.

Bake in oven at 375 degrees for about 10 minutes.

 

 

Fantastic Football Meal: Crock Pot Chili

Ingredients:

• 3/4 pounds lean ground beef
• 4 ounces smoked sausage
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 red or green bell pepper
• 3 clove garlic, minced
• 1 can (4 oz) green chili peppers
• 2 tbsp diced jalapeno peppers
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1/2 can (4 ounces) tomato sauce
• 1 can- 8oz black beans, drained
• 1 can – 8oz kidney beans
• 1 teaspoon grill seasoning blend
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste

Directions: In a large skillet or sauté pan, brown the ground beef and sausage with onion until meat is no longer pink. Add the chopped bell pepper and garlic and cook, stirring, for about 1 minute longer. Transfer to the slow cooker and add remaining ingredients; cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours.

What goes great with Chili? Jalapeno cornbread: You will need 1 box of cornbread mix (follow directions) then add 1 handful mozzarella cheese and 3 sliced and diced jalapenos. Stir cheese and jalapenos into cornbread mix, add into muffin trays and bake following cornbread box directions. An easy way to spice up normal cornbread.

*Serve this chili with cornbread, crusty rolls, tortilla chips &/or avocados on top*

Enjoy!

 

Until we blog again, XOXO,

Sister Cooks