Top 10 football food tips
1. It’s about the food. Remember that success will be measured by the quality of the food.
2. Prepare days in advance. In order to put on a spread worthy of having your name attached, you need to prepare days in advance and cook something yourself.
3. Start with dip (homemade). Anyone can buy salsa, so try making guacamole, white cheese, French onion, or spinach and artichoke salsa. You will be surprised how much better they are when they are homemade and your guests too. Once the fries are gone, the sauce might be gone too.
4. The preparation of the meat makes a difference. Try marinating chicken breasts and fillets for at least a day to give them an irresistible flavor. When it comes to burgers, get creative. Buy ground beef and pack them into balls yourself. This allows you to insert onions, jalapeños, or any other ingredients into the ground beef before grilling.
5. Chicken wings are a no-brainer. You can try making them yourself, but it’s much easier to go to a local restaurant or grocery store where you know they have the best wings. Make sure you place the order in plenty of time; the establishment may well be closed on a Sunday morning before an NFL game.
6. Let guests customize their sandwiches. Set up a mini sandwich table and let guests choose from a variety of cheeses, meats, and possibly breads to create their ultimate sandwich.
7. Warm souls on a cold winter day. Chances are you or a relative has a can’t-miss soup or chili. Share your savory Chili, French Onion or Steak and Potato Soup with your guests so they can feel their toes and fingers again.
8. Everyone needs a drink. Make sure you have alcoholic beverages, juices, sodas, and water. Expand your horizons by crafting an alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktail to stimulate the palate of guests 21 and under.
9. Dessert is a must. You’ve done everything else very well, so don’t neglect dessert. This means no last minute stops at the gas station for chocolate bars and frozen sundaes. Take an hour or two of your time to bake something. Anything from brownies to peanut butter and chocolate bars to lemon bars will be a huge hit. Remember, dessert is your perfect tailgate accessory.
10. Think ahead. The perfect layout at a football party requires extra attention to detail and a little bit of your time. It’s not going to come together in a matter of hours. The more you think about it, the better it will turn out. Give yourself a week to prepare and your guests will appreciate the finished product. And have fun learning to do new things!