Football season has just begun and now that Los Angeles has not one, but two teams, I thought we would kick off this weeks Social Sunday’s Menu with Game Day Appetizers. I’m in love with finger foods, not a lot of fuss and easier clean-up. These three outstanding festive football recipes will delight your guests and ignite the football fan in all of us.
Sweet Potatoes Chips are quite popular today and are sold in most groceries stores, but most often fried with many additives and perservatives. I thought it would be a fun to bake our own and combine some of my favorite dried spices for a smoky sweet potato snack.
Smoky Baked Sweet Potato Chips are an easy treat that can be prepared in under 15 minutes and will have your family and friends coming back for another batch. These chips are delicious served as a snack or on the side of a burger or sandwich. And for parties, these chips are perfect with an Amber Beer.
Buffalo chicken wings have always been the rage and I wanted to create an appetizer with a similar delicious bite, but for a casual party setting. Macaroni & Cheese is another popular comfort food that is served during large gatherings or holiday time, so I combined the two flavors and made an outrageously delicious recipe for Buffalo Macaroni & Cheese Cups.
Buffalo Macaroni & Cheese Cups are especially fun at Game Day Parties because you can eat them one-handed and still hold a conversation, while enjoying the game. These Buffalo Macaroni & Cheese Cups can be made ahead and reheated right before game time.
Grilled Korean Hot Wings are made with Gochujang, or Korean chili paste – a slightly spicy fermented mixture, which can be added to any sauce or marinade. The paste offers a bit of heat and umami flavors that you won’t find in standard hot sauces. These wings are a simple preparation, and the first step is to purchase some Gochujang online, or at better grocery stores. I’m sure you fall in love with Gochujang like I have and add it to some of your favorite recipes.
This Social Sunday Menu is all about football – gather your friends and start cooking, so you’ll be ready for kick-off! Don’t forget to add your comments to my blog or tag me on Instagram @genamariebell.
Grilled Korean Hot Wings
Ingredients
1/2 cup Gochujang
1/3 cup rice wine vinegar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup soy sauce
1 1/2 pounds chicken wings
grapeseed oil
(Serves 4-6)
To Prepare:
1. In a saucepan, add all the ingredients, except the chicken wings and grapeseed oil. Turn the heat to medium and let the sauce cook for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the sauce from the heat and pour in a bowl.
2. Preheat the grill to medium heat, about 375 degrees. Toss the wings in 3 tablespoons grapeseed oil. When the grill is hot, place the wings on the grill to cook on the first side 4 minutes.
3. Flip the wings over and brush with BBQ sauce. Cook the wings another 4 minutes and flip over again. Brush with another coat of BBQ sauce. Repeat this step two times, so the wings have three coats of BBQ sauce. Remove the wings from the grill and serve on a platter with some extra BBQ sauce. Enjoy!
Buffalo Macaroni & Cheese Cups
Ingredients
1 pound elbow macaroni
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese
6 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup flour
1 cup lowfat milk
1 cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons mustard powder
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 cup hot sauce, any variety + more for top
salt & pepper
(Makes 15 Cups)
To Prepare:
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Spray a muffin pan with cooking spray or brush with oil. Set aside. Grate the cheeses and boil the macaroni for 8 minutes and drain, set aside.
2. In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat, until foamy. Add the flour and whisk until smooth, about 3 minutes. Pour in the milk and cream and whisk until thickened, about 4 minutes. Add in the mustard powder, nutmeg, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, stir to combine. Pour in the hot sauce and stir.
3. Add in 3 cups of cheese, reserving 1 cup for the topping. Pour in the cooked macaroni and stir to combine. Spoon the macaroni & cheese into the muffin cups, fill to the rim. Add a couple more dashes of hot sauce to the top of each cup and sprinkle with the remaining cheeses.
4. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes, or until the tops are melted and lightly crispy. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, before removing. Serve immediately, or place on a platter and wrap for later. Reheat in the microwave for 30 seconds, Enjoy!
Smoky Baked Sweet Potato Chips
Ingredients
3 sweet potatoes, any variety
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 onion powder
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
(Serve 4-6)
To Prepare:
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Peel and slice sweet potatoes into 1/16 of an inch slices. Drizzle a sheet pan with vegetable oil and toss sweet potatoes, lay potatoes out flat on pan. Let the chips cool on the pan for 5 minutes. Remove and place on a serving platter, sprinkle with any additional seasoning. Enjoy!
2. In a small bowl, combine the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper. Sprinkle the potatoes heavily with seasoning. Place in the oven to bake for 12-15 minutes. After 12 minutes, keep your eye on the oven, they can burn within seconds.
3. Let the chips cool on the pan for 5 minutes. Remove and place on a serving platter, sprinkle with any additional seasoning. Enjoy!
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