Football match day eats & drinks suggestions # 5

College and Pro football telecasts … are mounting huge audience numbers, hungry TV watchers all. If your digs are where the guys will watch this weeks game(s), how about trying some new, easy-to-make alternatives as a surprise? Especially if the guys bring their wives or girlfriends.

Raisin Carrot Salad – a favorite side dish to whatever you're serving.

In a medium bowl, combine 3 large shredded carrots, 1 cup raisins, 1 cup walnuts, ¼ cup fine chopped celery and 2 tbs. shredded coconut. Set aside. Whisk together ½ cup of mayonnaise, 2 tbs. sour cream, 1 tbs. vinegar, ½ tsp. sugar and dash of salt. Stir dressing into carrot mixture. Chill before serving.

Bacon Upside-Down Pizza - takes a bit of time, but so good.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat cook 8 slices of bacon until evenly brown. Drain. Crumble 6 slices in one bowl and the 2 in another. Set aside.

Over medium heat in a large saucepan sauté 1 lb. of ground beef, 1 chopped onion and 1 chopped green bell pepper. Sauté until beef is browned. Stir in the 6 slices of crumbled bacon and 1-1/2 cups of pizza sauce. Spoon all into an un-greased 9x13 inch pan. Sprinkle with 3 chopped plum tomatoes and top with 4 oz. shredded cheddar cheese.

In a separate bowl, beat 2 eggs slightly. Add and mix well 1 cup milk and 1 Tbs. vegetable oil. Add 1 cup all purpose flour and ¼ tsp. salt. Beat with a mixer for 2 minutes at medium speed. Pour evenly over the meat. Sprinkle with the remaining bacon. Bake in preheated oven 20-30 min. or until topping is lightly puffed and deep, golden brown. Serve hot.

Crab Stuffed Mushrooms

Guys snap these up, so prepare only when you’re in the chips. This dish ain’t cheap. This recipe is for two, so max it up to your crowd size. Note: Try to get the steamed crab legs at the market. If you buy uncooked, before attacking the recipe steam them in a 300 degree oven. Set aside to cool.

1. Raise heat to 400 degrees. Put 3 tbs. butter in a 9x13” baking dish.

2. Open a package of large button mushrooms holding about 12 – 14. Brush tops with a damp cloth or run them under water and set on a paper towel to dry. Remove and set caps aside. Take the stems off after cleaning and finely chop them.

3. Melt 2 Tbs. butter in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Stir in chopped stems and cook until soft, about 3 minutes.

4. Once the crab legs have cooled, crack them carefully getting all the tender meat. Put into a separate bowl. Check for shell bits. Break the crabmeat into small pieces.

5. In the saucepan, with the crabmeat stir in juice from ½ lemon, soft bread crumbs, 1 well beaten egg, ¼ tsp. dill weed and 1/4 cup Monterey Jack cheese. Mix till thoroughly blended.

6. Place mushroom caps in the buttered pan. Stir until caps are completely butter coated.

7. Arrange caps cavity side up and stuff each generously with crab mix. Top with extra Monterey Jack cheese

8. Place on an aluminum-lined baking sheet slightly sprayed with olive oil.

9. Pour 1 cup red wine over mushrooms. Bake approximately 20 minutes or until cheese on top is brown and bubbly. Let cool 5-8 minutes and serve.

Greek Hummus – Takes just minutes. Serves 10.

Blend 10 oz. slightly drained chickpeas, 2 large garlic cloves, 1/8 tsp. salt, 8 – 12 tbs. Tahini, 10 tbs. lemon juice and 1 tbs. olive oil. Pour into serving bowl. Sprinkle ¼ tsp. paprika. Chill. Serve with favorite dipping bread or crackers. If needed, add lemon and salt to increase a tartier tastes. For a softer texture, add more oil. That simple, but oh so good.

If you do Greek Hummus, stay in a Mediterranean mood with Chicken Kabobs.

Since Kabobs are eaten all over the world, there are many different recipes. Make it easy on yourself, buy prepared chicken kabobs at your deli counter for you to grill or bake.

Mediterranean Chicken Kabobs

Total time 1 Hour, Serves 10

1. In large shallow dish or re-sealable food-storage bag, mix 6 large crushed garlic cloves, 4 Tbs. fine chopped fresh or 4 tsp. dried rosemary, 2 Tbs. finely chopped fresh or 1 tsp. dried oregano leaves, 2 tsp. of salt, 1/4 tsp. of pepper, 3 Tbs. of lemon juice and 5 Tbs. oil.

2. Add 3 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast cut into 1” wedges. Turn breasts to coat. Cover or seal; refrigerate 30 minutes to marinate.

3. Heat gas or charcoal grill. In small bowl, mix 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/4 tsp. pepper, ½ cup lemon juice and 3 Tbs. oil. Set aside.

4. Remove chicken from marinade; discard marinade.

5. On 10- to 12-inch metal skewers, alternately thread pieces of chicken, 2 large red bell peppers, cut into 1 inch pieces and 2 large red onions, cut into 1” wedges. Leave space between pieces.

6. Place skewers on grill over medium-high heat. Cover grill; cook 8 to 10 minutes, turning occasionally, basting with lemon juice mixture, until chicken is no longer pink in center and vegetables are tender.

Here’s a neat 4^th Quarter recreation ender dessert; a perfect drink with a perfect cookie.

Spiced Coffee Shake

Prep Time: 5 Minutes. Recipe is for 1 Shake, make more as needed.

Combine 3/4 cup strong, brewed coffee (cold or room temperature), 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 2 tablespoons agave nectar, 1/4 cup fat-free plain yogurt, 1 tablespoon almond butter in a blender. Fill blender with ice cubes. Blend until foamy, icy, and well combined. Refrigerate till served.

The perfect dipping cookie.

Soft Biscotti. If you like licorice, you'll like this soft version of a traditional Italian Biscotti cookie. This recipe makes more than enough.

Mix 4 cups of flour, 1-1/2 cups of sugar, 4 tsp. baking powder, 4 eggs or 1 cup of Egg Beaters, ¼ lb. melted butter, 4 - 8 drops of Oil of Anise, 5 Tbs. milk. Mix and knead into a ball and shape as desired. Put on a greased large cookie sheet. Bake in 375F degree oven for 15-20 minutes.

If this final quarter treat doesn’t send your crowd home happy, you’ve got a very picky, picky group of buddies.

Next week, video game working day list #6 has several new recipe finds from chefs and hungry football fans everywhere.