The NFL playoff season is a perfect time to spend time with family and friends, but why serve up the same old chips, pizza and beer that everyone else is having? Here are our slightly more refined takes on the classic football party foods. Keep your eye out over the next few days for more ways to take your football party from cheap to chic!
Baked Artichoke Dip
2 14-oz cans water-packed artichokes, well drained
4 ounces organic silken tofu
3 large cloves garlic
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese+extra to sprinkle on top, freshly grated
2/3 cup plain (or Greek) yogurt
1/4 teaspoon fine grain sea salt, or more to taste
pinch of cayenne pepper
Preheat oven to 350F degrees. In a blender or food processor puree the artichokes, tofu, and garlic. In a separate medium bowl whisk together the parmesan cheese, yogurt, salt, and cayenne. Stir in the artichoke puree and pour mixture into a medium-sized baking dish (or multiple smaller dishes). Sprinkle the top with more Parmesan. Bake uncovered until heated through and the cheese on the top starts to brown, about 45 minutes.
Makes 2-3 cups of artichoke dip. Serve with blue corn chips or get creative and find colored chips that match your favorite team!
Smokey Hawaiian Pizza
1 large take-n-bake style cheese pizza
4 Tbs butter
½ sweet Maui onion, sliced
2 cups Kalua pork
1 can of chunked pineapple
1 ½ cups shredded Manchego cheese
¼ tsp ground chipotle peppers
¼ tsp ground cumin
¼ cup chopped fresh dill
Bake pizza according to package directions. In the meantime heat 2 Tbs butter in a large pan. Add the sliced Maui onions and sauté until brown. Add the Kalua pork and mix until heated through. Distribute the pork and onion mix evenly over the baked pizza. Top with pineapple chunks and shredded Manchego cheese. In a small pan melt the remaining 2 Tbs butter. Stir in the ground chipotle peppers and cumin; drizzle over the pizza. Sprinkle with dill. Broil until cheese is slightly browned and bubbly. Allow to cool for two minutes. Slice and enjoy!
Pair your upscale party dishes with some of these beer cocktails we featured way back in June to really impress your guests. Click on the cocktails above for recipes.
