Easy Finger Foods for Game Day
Food is the most critical element of a game day celebration, save for the game itself. Since guests will punctuate the festivities with cheering, shouting and, possibly, wild gesticulations, it is best to prepare finger food that is easy to portion and can withstand sitting in the open without temperature control for an indefinite period of time. While there are reliable, popular game day dishes, alter some of the details to put your own spin on the menu. Does this Spark an idea?
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Sandwiches and Pizza
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Sandwiches and pizza are game day staples. They are familiar, easy to prepare and you can pack them with a variety of ingredients. Anchor your menu with these classics. Use a large, soft baguette as the base for your sandwich. Buy pizza dough or crusts to begin a pizza. Slice the finished products into small portions. Each portion should require only three or four bites to consume. Use the cities of the competing teams as inspiration when choosing toppings for either dish. For example, use sliced brisket on a sandwich to represent a Texas team. Load a pizza with peppers and onion as a reference to a Philadelphia team. Prepare a meatless option for vegetarians.
Chips and Dip
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Chips and dip are a ubiquitous and basic menu item. While you can simply use a container of purchased dip, making one requires few steps and little cooking. Tex-Mex layered dips are always a crowd pleaser. Layer refried beans, guacamole, salsa, cheese, sour cream, olives and peppers in a dish. You do not even need to cook any of the components. Include basic salsa for guests who want a light or vegetarian option. Spinach artichoke dip is another tried and true party staple. Recipes vary, but most include cooked spinach, canned artichoke hearts, a creamy dairy product and cheese. Mix it all in one dish, then throw it in the oven.
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Chicken Wings
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Chicken wings are another game day classic. You can buy frozen wings that only require reheating in the oven. Alternatively, make your own. Buy wings pre-cut for buffalo wing recipes, so you do not have to do any butchering yourself. Fry the wings in cooking oil, then mix them with a sauce as soon as they come out of the oil. As with sandwiches and pizza, look to the competing teams for wing dressing inspiration. Use a sweet barbecue-style sauce for teams from the Deep South. Drench them in a sauce with a lot of heat as a tribute to teams from the Southwest.
Desserts
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It is easy to overlook sweet foods when you are planning a game day menu. However, the most satisfying meals feature sweet and savory dishes. Cookies are ideal finger food. Roll and cut cookie dough into shapes related to the sport you are viewing. Decorate cupcakes with game-related iconography. Brownies, bar cookies or peanut butter and chocolate-drizzled snack mix will also secure a win for your game day menu.
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