The Game Day Game Plan

A game day classic, dips are easy to eat and easy to prepare. Chips are a must. But if you like, mix it up a bit. Offer the following dipping vehicles in addition to tortilla and potato chips:

• Pita triangles
• Vegetables
• Crackers
• Bread rounds or sliced baguettes
• Shrimp  

The ideal meal for game day. It’s hearty, simple, and satisfying.

Try these colorful chili condiments:

• Tortilla and corn chips
• Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• Sliced scallions
• Sliced black olives
• Pickled, sliced jalapenos
• Chopped green chilies
• Sour cream
• Cilantro leaves
• Avocados with fresh lime juice and salt

When the game starts, make sure you’re where the action is, not stuck in the kitchen. Preparing food in the slow cooker ensures you won’t be racing around at kick off.

Here’s a fun game-day idea. Build a buffet theme. We’ve got a few suggestions:

• Sandwich dip: fill your slow cooker with au jus, and set the table with sandwich meats, bread, and all the fixings and condiments.
• Chili buffet: a pot of rice and some chili on top with condiments is a meal.
• Tex-Mex: fill the slow cooker with beans, taco meat, or con queso, and serve lots of tortilla chips, salsa, avocados, and cheese.
• Barbeque pork: make pulled pork and sauce, and serve with cornbread, coleslaw, pickles, and chips.

Watching the game without beer is like hitting the field without a helmet. You gotta have it!

What to serve? Supply a range of beers to satisfy every taste. But bear in mind, certain beers taste better with specific kinds of food. Here’s a quick primer:

• Stout pairs great with fried foods like fish and chips
• Crisp, light Mexican beer with a squeeze of lime works great with chili, tacos, or chips and salsa.
• Ales are a smart choice because they hit the middle ground--they’re not too dark or too light, and they go well with most food.

Other Game Day Favorites