It's Almost...Football Season!

OMG- it's almost football season! I watched my first pre-season game last night, and realized we have not discussed football at all! I am a huge couch potato fan and love to have football parties. This means tailgating food! I have compiled a couple of my favorites here- easy and crowd pleasing, whether the crowd is just your family or 50 people! Serve these appetizers and sides( this is just a sample- I have to pull more out, and of course taste test them before publishing!!!) with your best grilling specialities and favorite beer, and you are all set. Favorite beer? Right now we are liking Spotted Cow from the New Glarus brewing Company (available at Sam's Club).


Buffalo Chicken Dip

2 large cans of chicken- drained
8 ounces cream cheese
11/2-2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup ranch dressing, spicy if you can find it!
9 ounces Frank's Hot Sauce
Mix all together and bake for 30 minutes in a 350* oven.
Serve with blue cheese crumbles, celery, carrots, and tortilla chips

Marinated Mushrooms

2 # button mushrooms- whatever fits in your crockpot!
1 package dry Italian seasoning mix
1 stick butter or margarine
1 (8oz) bottle of Italian dressing
8 dashes Worchestershire sauce
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
white pepper, oregano,garlic- sprinkle all of these generously.
Cook on low in crockpot for 3-4 hours. The longer, the better!

Calico Beans

1 pound hamburger, browned
8 slices of bacon, cooked and chopped
1/4 cup onion, sauteed until translucent
1 large can of baked beans, not drained
1-12 ounce can of butter beans, drained
1-12 ounce can of kidney beans, drained
2 tablespoons of vinegar
1/4 cup of ketchup
3/4 cup of brown sugar
Mix all together and bake at 350* for 1 hour, until bubbly.

Coleslaw Salad

1 cup olive oil
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup white vinegar
2 packets of Ramen Noodle Seasoning mix
Mix together- this is the dressing for the salad.
Salad:
1 # coleslaw mix
1 bunch of green onions, chopped
2 packages of Ramen noodles- broken into pieces
1 cup of sunflower kernels
1 cup of toasted slivered almonds
Mix it all together right before serving.