Party Panache, Fall Favorites for Game Day

the Painted Apron

8 years ago

We had a big spread at our house last weekend for the Alabama/Ole Miss game, lots of fans for both teams

Now, poor Ole Miss has been having an identity crisis lately, changing their mascot from the Rebel Man, to the Black Bears, and now the Land Sharks…

But to my daughter and our BFFs who are Ole Miss alums, the Rebel Man was their mascot. I painted all these platters for DD when she was in college, thinking she could use them for years, but now they are out of date and politically incorrect…

But they were perfect for our gathering of friends and family for Saturday night football watching fun

There are always at least 2 grills going

And TVs are on everywhere, guests mingle from the patio, to the kitchen buffet, and on to the man cave for serious viewing

Yes, we do watch Auburn too, got to keep our eyes on our arch rival!

At our house a game day must is a hot dip, preferably full of meat and cheese…this Pigskin Tailgate Dip fills the bill with bacon, ham, cream cheese, asiago cheese, sour cream with a little spice from Worcestershire sauce and dijon mustard

Pigskin Tailgate Dip

Another favorite hot dip is Beer Cheese Fondue, try it with tater tots and onion rings…game day is not for dieting 😉

Beer Cheese Fondue

We also like to serve finger foods, easy bites to grab and nosh, like

Brown Sugar Bacon Bundles

Italiano Morsi, a mini sandwich skewer, can be served at room temperature

Pizza and flatbreads are favorites, I like to change them up and serve them with unexpected toppings

BBQ Chicken & Corn Flatbread with Spinach Salad Topping

Fast & Fabulous Flatbread

Poppers are another must, and HHjr is always creating new popper flavor combos

Prosciutto Wrapped Pineapple & Sausage Poppers

Dixie Mac & Cheese Poppers

It’s also nice to have something cool and lighter to balance things out

Apricot Gorgonzola Cheese Spread

Romaine Spoons with Pear Compote

And a salty snack mix to munch on

Tailgate Trash

For last week’s party I picked up some mini ham & cheese party biscuits from Savage’s Bakery, a long time Birmingham institution, and kept them warm in a crock pot