Football Recipes and Party Planning

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When I was a kid my favorite part of big football games was the delicious assortment of food my mom would create.  Honestly, I cannot remember many outcomes of football games, but oh I can remember the taste of my Mom’s taco dip and the smell of the freshly baked soft pretzels.  As I get older I still love to create fun food for sporting events, but try to create slightly healthier versions of my favorite comfort foods.  I’m excited to share some of my favorite football recipes and some quick ways to create fun football themed decorations.  Best part?  No need to go to any fancy party stores.  All the items for our Football Recipes and Party Planning were found at our local Big Y Supermarket.

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HOW TO PLAN A FOOTBALL THEMED PARTY

With three young kids at home I do not have the time to create elaborate parties that require multiple trips to a variety of stores.  Big Y is one of our favorite places to shop at because I know I will find quality, organic food (and often local too!).  One stop shopping is key for this busy mom! All of the items needed for my  football recipes and party planning ideas were purchased during one grocery shopping trip.

THE FOOD

When thinking of food for big football games I like to focus on finger foods.  This is not the time to cook an elaborate meal that will either take people away from the television or force people to balance a plate full of food while attempting to use a knife and fork.  I’m a big fan of hearty dips and my Black Bean Avocado Dip is my favorite.  Think of it as a healthier alternative to the traditional 7 layer dip.

In addition to the Black Bean Avocado Dip I served popcorn, pistachios (fun to shell for guests), an assortment of vegetable sticks with our favorite Brianna’s Ranch Dressing and Sabra brand hummus (roasted pine nut is my favorite).

A few sweet treats are always welcome at a party.  Skip the heavy desserts and add some fun football themed chocolate fruits and pretzel sticks.  Melt Hershey’s semi-sweet chocolate chips for 1.5 minutes in  the microwave.  Stir until melted.  Dip strawberries, apple slices, banana chunks and large pretzel sticks in the melted chocolate.  Lay on wax paper until hardened.  Melt white chocolate chips for 1 minute in the microwave.  Pour the melted chocolate in a freezer plastic storage bag.  Cut just the tip of the bag and use this to add the football laces to each fruit and pretzel stick.  Let harden.

One way to  keep party planning from getting too stressful is to mix homemade recipes with store bought items. Big Y has you covered for the big game.  The Party Power Pack is the perfect  way to round out the meal. This special includes two 30 inch super subs (roast beef, ham or turkey), a party size pizza with 1 topping, 4 pounds of super tenders, InVinceIble Pizza, InVinceible Sandwich and Game Day Seasoned Wings.  Or go for a Small Party Package which includes a large cheese pizza and 6 chicken tenders.  Click here for more details.  If you are lucky enough to have a Table & Vine store near you head over and choose from an impressive assortment of wines, beers and specialty items like gourmet cheeses, charcuterie and chocolates to name a few.

THE DECOR

When planning a party I always start with a theme and color scheme.  Obviously with the big game fast approaching the football theme was an easy fit.  When I think of football three colors come to mind- green, brown and white.  I headed over to my local Big Y supermarket and was able to find everything I needed to create a fun, unique football themed table.  I began by purchasing a paper green tablecloth, green plates, bowls and cups and simple brown paper lunch bags all found in one aisle.  Then I hopped over a few aisles to the art supplies for some white craft paint, markers and colored construction paper.  Now time for the fun part!  Transforming everyday items into a creative table.

Begin by using white paint to write “Tackle the Food”.  Then add the numbers and lines to create a football field table. Using a black marker I created some sayings (“Go long for some munchies” and “Score some sweets”) to look like football plays.

Keep the football theme going with an easy to make banner.  Cut large triangles out of brown and green construction paper.  Use the white paint to add football laces to the brown triangles.  Using tape add them in a brown-green pattern to the side of the table.

Next I used the brown paper lunch bags and white paint to create cute football bags for popcorn and wrapped another lunch bag around the recycled black bean can which made the perfect football themed vase for flowers from Big Y.  How beautiful are these sunflowers?  I like how the flowers soften the feel of the table and added nice accent colors.

With football recipes and party planning complete all that is left today is to enjoy the company of family and friends, yummy food and the exciting big game.

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