Game Day Cuban Sliders

If you are unfamiliar with cuban sandwiches, you are missing out. Normally, a cuban has ham or shredded pork, cheese, mustard and pickles. Then, it is pressed on a panini grill. So yes, this recipe isn't authentic by any means, but it is super fun and delicious. It is SO easy and fast to put together and is great finger food so it is perfect for a potluck or on game day. We ended up having it for dinner with a side, which was also great. No matter when you make it, I'm sure everyone will love it. I'm definitely going to be saving this for game day. I get so excited for football season for the sole reason of getting to make yummy and fun dishes like this, and I already have SO many recipes saved. I can't wait!!

Ingredients:

• 8 small hamburger buns
• 1 package of ham
• 1 package of sliced swiss cheese
• dill pickles
• half of a white onion, chopped in small pieces
• dijon mustard
• 1 stick of butter

Recipe:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
• Grease two baking dishes (or one depending on how big your baking dishes are)
• Place the bottom buns in the baking dish.
• Layer two slices of ham, one slice of swiss, and a few pickles on top of the bottom buns, then place the top of the rolls on top. 
• Whisk together melted butter, dijon mustard, and onion.
• Pour butter mixture on top of sandwiches.
• Bake for about 15-20 minutes.

Spinach and Artichoke Dip Stuffed Bread

Last weekend we got our first snowstorm of the season. I made sure to stop at the grocery store beforehand so that I could spend the weekend testing new recipes. I figured if I was going to be snowed in, I might as well be snowed in with a loaf of bread stuffed with cheese. I posted pictures of this appetizer on my instagram account, and I got tons of requests for the recipe. So, here it is as promised! I've made this a couple times since then, and so far its a hit. I'm thinking this might even be a contender for a superbowl party appetizer. It definitely makes for great football food, and I can assure you this appetizer would go perfectly with your favorite beer.

Ingredients:

• 1 french bread
• 1 (14 oz) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 1 (10 oz) bag baby spinach leaves (or frozen spinach works too!!)
• 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese
• 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• Parmesan cheese, grated, to top
• olive oil, to brush on top

Recipe: 

1. Saute the spinach, artichoke, and about half the garlic in a pot on medium heat. Add the mozzarella cheese and cream cheese. Mix until creamy.
2. Take the french bread, cut it into four sections, and hallow out the insides.  

3. Stuff the bread with the spinach and artichoke dip. Use a spoon to pack the dip down to the bottom.
4. Line up the four pieces on a cutting board to create one big french bread again.
5. Slice the bread as shown below. Brush the top with olive oil, and sprinkle with parmesan cheese and the remaining garlic.

6. Wrap the bread tightly in foil and bake the bread on a baking sheet at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
7. Unwrap the bread and bake for an additional 5 minutes.

Cheesy Pizza Dip

I love football Sundays. It gives me the excuse to hang out in my sweatpants and indulge in my favorite comfort foods. Even though you may not like football...I know you love cheese..and pizza..and yummy goodness. Voila....pizza dip. It is so delicious and requires minimal effort..the best of both worlds. I've been making this dip for a while now. In fact, it was one of the first recipes that I posted on this blog. Back in the day, my pictures were not the prettiest, so I decided to respost this yummy creation again. It's crazy what a DSLR camera and some good lighting can do. Now excuse me while I get back to this......

Ingredients:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 2 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cups grated cheddar cheese
• ¼ cup fresh parmesan cheese
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• pepperoni slices 
• tortilla chips 
• french bread

Recipe: 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix cream cheese, oregano, basil, cheddar cheese and half of the mozzarella cheese.
3. Spread cream cheese mixture into casserole dish, and top with tomato sauce.
4. Sprinkle remaining cheeses followed by pepperoni.
5. Bake for 20 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is browned.
6. Serve with tortilla chips and chopped bread.

 

Game Day Nachos

A quick snack was needed for game day/sunday fun day so I decided to whip up some nachos since I'm the nacho queen.  I shared my cheese recipe below. It's super easy. I use it for a lot of different recipes including mac and cheese. I'm a cheese lover. Can you tell? Put down the velveeta people and try out my recipe. You'll thank me later. 

Ingredients:

• 1 bag shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 block gruyere cheese (its a little bit on the expensive side but SO worth it)
• 1-1/2 cup whole milk
• 3 tbsp butter
• 3 tbsp flour
• chips
• your favorite nacho toppings: salsa, sour cream, olives, tomatoes, jalapeño 

Recipe:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Melt the butter in a sauce pan 
• Whisk in the flour
• Gradually add milk and stir until there are no clumps
• Add cheese. I didn't measure exactly how much cheese I used. One bag of shredded cheese and half the block of gruyere should be enough, but add as much as you like.
• Spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray
• Spread out the chips evenly on the baking sheet
• Pour cheese over the chips
• Bake the chips for about 5-8 mins
• Enjoy the nachos with your favorite toppings

Bacon Wrapped Tater Tots

Today I was looking through my pictures and came across the one below.

 I made this appetizer months ago and it was a huge hit. I can't believe that I forgot to post it.

It's nothing fancy....

(the original recipe doesn't call it "tasty trashy taters" for nothing..)

It's not healthy...

(it's fried, oozing with cheese, AND wrapped with bacon and sugar...)

But it sure does taste good thanks to the salty bacon and sweet brown sugar! 

In my opinion salty and sweet is the best combo.

This would be PERFECT for the next time the man in your life invites all his buddies over.

Not to be sexist, but this just screams man food for me.

It's probably because my boyfriend loves anything that is wrapped in bacon haha. 

I'll certainly be saving this recipe for football season.

Football, beer, and trashy taters...

Sounds good to me!

Recipe Source: The Chew

Ingredients:

• 1/2 bag tater tots (thaw to room temperature)
• 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese (cut into tiny blocks-about 1/4 inch)
• frank's hot sauce
• 16 ounces of bacon strips (cut strips in half)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar

Recipe:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Line a cookie sheet with foil.
• Create an assembly line to make the tater tots:
• First, cut a small whole in the tater and place a cube of cheese in the opening.
• Dash tater with hot sauce. 
• Wrap the tater with bacon and secure with a toothpick.
•  Roll the bacon bundle in brown sugar. 
• Place on baking sheet. 
• Repeat with each tater.
• Bake for 10 minutes. 
• Flip tater tots over and bake for a remaining 5-10 minutes.

On another note, this is my first week co-hosting Tasty Tuesdays over at Anyonita Nibbles.

Link up below!
 

Superbowl Party Recipes

Getting ready for Superbowl Sunday?! I'm a little bummed that my home team didn't make it this year, but that doesn't mean I still can't enjoy the food and fun! These are some of my favorite recipes from the year. They are awesome party recipes and perfect for game day. Links are below for the recipes! (Bigger pictures are included with the original posts!)

Left Column of Pictures (From Top to Bottom)
Cream Cheese and Chili Mexican Dip
Pizza Dip
Corona Ritas (if you want to kick you beer up a notch!)
Mini Taco Cups
Loaded Baked Potato Dip
Oreo Cookie Stuffed Brownies

Right Column of Pictures (From Top to Bottom)
Jalapeno Popper Wonton Pockets
Baked Mozzarella Sticks
Buffalo Chicken Queso
Three Layered Mexican Dip 
French Dip Bites
Oven Baked "Fried" Pickles
Baked Jalapeno Poppers 

Don't forget my awesome football cupcakes too!!
 

Football Cupcakes

So I was looking through my pictures tonight and came across these! My friend Sarah and I made these cupcakes for the superbowl last year. The star of these cupcakes are the mini footballs. They are peanut butter and chocolate candies. They make great cupcake toppers and are delicious on their own as well. Feel free to use your favorite cupcake and frosting recipe to make the cupcakes. I made a vanilla frosting, used food coloring to make it green, and then sprinkled green sugar on top. I used green to mimic a football field. Finally, I placed the chocolate football on top and served. I've included the recipe for the chocolate footballs below. I hope these come in handy at your next football party!

Don't forget to enter my cupcake giveaway while you're here!! (http://www.girlsgonefood.com/2013/01/cupcake-giveaway_6.html)The giveaway ends on Tuesday!!

Recipe Source: About.com

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons of butter, softened 
• 1 cup smoothy peanut butter
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp milk
• 8 ounces chocolate candy coating
• extra vanilla frosting to make lines on football

Recipe:

•  Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and set aside.
• In a large bowl mix peanut butter and butter on medium until creamy and well combined
• Add powdered sugar, cocoa, salt, and vanilla. Mix on low until combined.
• Add the milk and mix until the mixture moistens and comes together. 
• Once mixture is combined, form the candy into football shaped balls.
• Place the balls on the lined baking sheet.
• Melt chocolate using a double boiler.
• Dip the balls individually into the melted chocolate and place on the lined baking sheet.
• Place the baking sheet into the refrigerator until candies are hardened.
• Place extra vanilla frosting in a piping bag. 
• Using a thin tip, decorate the footballs with laces. 
• Bring footballs to room temperature before serving.

Baked Jalapeno Poppers

I love game day! Don't fool yourself, its not because I'm a huge football fan. I love game day because of the food....that's really it. Ok...and the beer too....and hanging out with friends. Really, I like everything about game day except the game...hahah.  I'm one of those people that pretend to like sports, but have no idea of whats going on. For example, yesterday I was trying to prove to my brother that I liked football and I told him that touchdowns were 12 points. He laughed at me. For those of you who are as football stupid as me..touchdowns are actually 6 points...oops.

Whether you are a football fan or not, here is an amazing and easy recipe for jalopeno poppers. They are delicious! The best part is that there is no messy breading involved. All you have to do is throw them in the oven and bake them. Stuffing the peppers can be a little tedious, so you can even stuff the peppers a day before the game.

Recipe Source: Kraft Recipes

Ingredients:

• 18 fresh jalapenos (the recipe will actually make 36 jalapeno poppers because you'll be cutting the jalapenos in half)
• 4 oz cream cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 2 tbsp finely chopped onion
• 2 tbsp finely chopped cilantro

Recipe:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees.
• Cut jalopenos in half, and remove all the seeds and veins. This is where all the heat is so make sure you clean them out really well.
• Combine cream cheese, cheddar cheese, bacon, onion, and cilantro.
• Spray a baking sheet with non stick cooking spray.
• Stuff each jalopeno with the cream cheese mixture and place on baking sheet.
• Bake for 10 mins.