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.

Dangerously dark and delicious, this “Scotch Manhattan” will definitely help you forget about the work week behind you. The Rob Roy, best described as “a gentleman’s drink that will put hair on your chest”, has been around for a long, long time.

The cocktail is thought to have been invented at the Old Waldorf Hotel in 1894, around the time an opera inspired by Sir Walter Scott’s book Rob Roy, opened in Herald Square, and thus the name. Another factor that may have contributed to the creation of this drink, is that Dewar’s Scotch Whiskey was first introduced to New York also around this time, and the name may have been given to stimulate liquor sales. Regardless the drink is now considered a true classic and part of the American culture.

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Rob Roy

Dangerously dark and delicious, this Scotch Manhattan is best described as “A gentleman’s drink that will put hair on your chest.”

Course Cocktails

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1

Ingredients

Classic Rob Roy

• 1 ½ oz scotch
• ½ oz sweet vermouth
• 1-2 dashes Angostura bitters

Dry Rob Roy

• 1 ½ oz scotch
• ½ oz dry vermouth
• 1-2 dashes Angostura bitters

Perfect Rob Roy

• 1 ½ oz scotch
• ½ oz equal parts dry/sweet vermouth
• 1-2 dashes Angostura bitters

Instructions

Classic Rob Roy

• Pour scotch, vermouth and bitters over ice. Stir and strain into a stemmed cocktail glass.
• Garnish with maraschino cherry.

Dry Rob Roy

• Pour scotch, vermouth and bitters over ice. Stir and strain into a stemmed cocktail glass.
• Garnish with lemon twist

Perfect Rob Roy

• Pour scotch, vermouth and bitters over ice. Stir and strain into a stemmed cocktail glass.
• Garnish with maraschino cherry or lemon twist.

The story of Rob Roy was also retold in a 1995 movie by director Michael Caton-Jones, starring Liam Neeson and Jessica Lange.

Perhaps it would be a good night to rent the movie, drink a scotch, and maybe enjoy some shepherds pie?. Well whatever your weekend holds for you, I hope you take some time to enjoy!

Made famous by Ian Flemming in his James Bond 007 novels, the vesper martini actually became a favorite of Sean Connery.

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Vesper Martini

Made famous by Ian Flemming in his James Bond 007 novels, the vesper martini actually became a favorite of Sean Connery.

Course Cocktails

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1

Ingredients

• 2 ounces of Bombay Sapphire gin
• 1 ¼ ounces Grey Goose vodka
• ½ ounce Lillet Blanc
• Lemon twist for a garnish

Instructions

• Pour the alcohols into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake, never stir.
• Stain in to a chilled martini glass and garnish with a lemon twist.
• Rinse and Repeat.

Happy Friday Everyone.