With the playoffs in full swing and the Super Bowl right around the corner, it’s time to start planning your half time treats. Whether you are hosting a party, going to a pot luck, or planning to spend the day at home, some good chow is a must for game viewing. Here are ten easy to prepare proven winners that are sure to score you a touchdown with the gang. So take off your shoes, grab a plate and a cold beverage, and enjoy the game….. I hope your favorite team wins!

#1 – Kings Hawaiian Ham & Swiss Rolls– Hands down the king of sliders. This sandwich is by far the number one recipe on the blog with almost a half a million views. A true proven winner.

#2 – Cheese Straws –  Cheesy goodness with a little kick. Easy to prepare, and delicious by themselves or with a dip.

#3 – Loaded Tots – One of my personal favorites. Crispy potatoes with nacho cheese, bacon, and spicy giardiniera. Takes nachos to a whole new level.

#4 – Chex Mix – A party just isn’t a party without some Chex mix. Nothing can compare to the goodness of making your own. Mix it up by adding your favorite crunchy treats.

#5 – Hot Crab and Green Chili Dip – Molten goodness with a definite kick. Delicious served with Brown Ale Beer Bread.

#6 – Guacamole – One of everybody favorites, this guac is the bomb. This dish comes from a recipe shared by a friend passed down for tres generaciones. This dip is nothing but pure avocado goodness.

#7 – Deviled Potatoes – Simply Brilliant! Potato salad as a finger food. Now what’s not to like about that. Sure to be a hit.

#8 – Bacon Wrapped Tater Tots – Two of everyone’s favorites combined in one bite sized ball of love. Best combination of flavors since chocolate and peanut butter.

#9 – Roasted Garlic Hummus – Something a little lighter for the table, serve with pita chips or fresh veggies. Remember hummus is really just a bean dip, and who doesn’t love a bean dip!

#10 – Bacon Wrapped Cream Cheese & Crab Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers – Maybe a little more effort, but well worth the trouble. The gang will absolutely love you for these!

And lets not forget a little something for everyone’s “sweet tooth”.  These Oreo Cream Cheese Swirl Brownies are super easy to make and are guaranteed to leave you with nothing but compliments and an empty pan.

So whatever you do, I hope everyone enjoys a good game, good friends, good food and drink, and some good laughter. Remember life is short, take some time to enjoy.

After enjoying an exceptionally long Indian summer here in Colorado, last weeks blast of winter weather brought about a sudden end to the gardening season. Plants that were still attempting to produce were now finished. My dear friend Sandy stopped over in advance of the forecasted cold snap to ask if I had any interest in some of her remaining goods that were going to be lost if not harvested. My eyes lit up when she mentioned the tomato vines loaded with unripened fruit. Time for one of my favorites, Fried Green Tomatoes.

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Fried Green Tomatoes & Fried Dill Pickles

A traditional southern dish using firm green unripened tomatoes or slices of dill pickles, breaded and then fried to a gold brown. Excellent served with an Aioli or a Creole Mustard dipping sauce.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Southern

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Ingredients

Fried Green Tomatoes

• 4 green tomatoes sliced 1/2 inch thick
• 1 egg slightly beaten
• 1 cup corn starch
• 1 cup corn meal
• 1 cup bread crumbs
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian herbs
• salt and pepper

Fried Pickles

• 24 dill pickle chips
• same ingredients as for the tomatoes

Instructions

Fried Green Tomatoes

• Begin by slowly heating about one inch of peanut or vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Mix together the corn meal and bread crumbs, add garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper.
• Set up a breading station. I use three containers about the same size and depth. Place the corn starch in the first, the egg in the second, and the breading and herb mixture in the third.
• Working on to a parchment paper or wax paper lined baking sheet, begin by coating a few slices of tomato with corn starch, gently tapping off any extra. Roll the corn starch covered slices in the egg, then drop in the breading mixture, turning to coat well. Gently shake off any excess breading.
• Repeat with all of your slices placing them on the baking sheet after breading. It is best to have all your breading done before you begin to fry. This allows you to work with clean hands, and focus on frying.
• Gently slide the tomatoes into the oil to avoid splattering, do not overcrowd your skillet. Cook for 2 - 3 minutes or until edges become light golden. Using tongs carefully turn the slices and cook again for about the same amount of time.
• Remove from oil and place on a wire rack over paper towels or newspaper to drain.

Fried Dill Pickles

• I love to fry dill pickles chip using the same method. Place the pickle slices on wire racks to drain well before breading (moisture + oil = bad combination).
• Use same process as for the tomatoes.

Notes

Proper temperature for frying is between 350° F - 375° F, however when heating a shallow amount of oil in a skillet, it is difficult to get an accurate reading with a thermometer. I watch for the surface of the oil to "shimmer" and then fry a test item. Remember oil tends to climb in temperature as you cook so watch your heat closely. If you need to turn the heat up or down allow some time for the oil to respond to your adjustment.

 

I love to fry dill pickles chip using the same method. Place the pickle slices on wire racks to drain well before breading (moisture + oil = bad combination).

This southern delight was the specialty of the Whistle Stop Cafe brought into the spotlight in the 1991 movie, Fried Green Tomatoes.

Snacks, appetizers, pu pu’s, tapas, or starters. No matter what you call them, we are all crazy about them. As a first course or a meal, these little gems are always a hit. So next on our list, we are looking at the summers most popular posts for appetizers as chosen by our readers.

Coming in under the wire at #5 – Cheesy Poof Sticks

Making the list at #4 – Crab Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers

Landing at #3 – Bacon Wrapped Tater Tots

Finding its way to #2 – Gỏi cuốn with Nước mắm pha

Ending up in the #1 position, all the way from Kauai – Ahi Poke Nachos

And another starter, the Rolling Stones “Start Me Up” spent three weeks at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in October and November 1981.