Touchdown Recipes

Ok that’s a cheesy title… but I promise these recipes will be a huge hit at whatever football gathering you might be attending in the next few weeks.  They’ve been tested and Craftista friends and family approved.

Rolo Brownies

Oh yes, these have Rolo’s candy in them… prepare to be crowned queen of the party.

Ingredients: 

• 1 (18.25 ounce pckg chocolate cake mix)
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1/3 cup milk
• 2 eggs
• 35 chocolate covered caramel candies (i.e. Rolos) – cut in half (this extra step is worth it, though time consuming)
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup toffee baking bits (nope, not a dentist approved recipe)

 Directions: 

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease a 9X13 inch pan.  Unwrap chocolate candies, chop in half, and set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, melted butter, milk and eggs.  Stir until well blended.  Press half of the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. 
• Bake this layer for about 6 minutes in the pre-heated oven.  Remove, and sprinkle the chocolate chips and toffee bits over the top, then press the chocolate covered caramel candies into the surface, evenly spaced.  Do Not press all the way to the bottom as they’ll burn into a sticky mess. 
• Spread the remaining batter mixture over the top, or drop in spoonfuls to spread as it bakes, no need to be perfect here.  Return the pan to the oven to bake for 20 – 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.  Cool before cutting – don’t tell your dentist. 

This recipe is originally from Allrecipes.com.  If you like it please consider visiting and leaving the creator a stellar review.   

Cheesy Football

A cheese ball that serves a TON of people, and it’s shaped like a football… now that’s classy.   Really, this one is a crowd pleas-er.

Ingredients:

• 2 pckgs (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened (I use the 1/3 less fat kind and no one notices)
• 1 pckg (8oz) Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup Miracle Whip dressing
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 pckg (3oz) REAL bacon bits, don’t use the fake kind for this
• Roasted red pepper strips – OR mozzarella string cheese… this is for the “laces” on your football.
• Crackers

Directions: 

• Beat cheeses and dressing in a medium bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. 
• Add the onions and black pepper, mix well.  Cover the bowl and refrigerate for several hours or until chilled.
• Place on a plate and form into a football shape – TIP, when forming a cheeseball, it’s easiest to first scoop the mixture into a piece of saran wrap, form it, then flip onto your plate to continue shaping into a football.  Saves your hands from the mess, and also makes for a prettier final product. 
• Next, sprinkle with the bacon bits.  I like to use saran wrap again to push them just a bit into the surface – especially if  taking this on the road to someone else’s house. 
• Finally, using the red pepper strips or pulled apart string cheese, form the laces on the top of the football. 

This recipe is originally from Kraft Foods.

Healthy(er) Spicy Wings

This is a great Weight Watcher’s recipe that could not be easier.  They’re healthier as they are baked and not fried, and you can save even more calories by using skinless wings.  (P.S. These are husband approved).

Ingredients:

• Cooking spray
• 12oz uncooked chicken wings (remove skin to save ton of calories and fat)
• 1 packet of taco seasoning mix (any brand will do, use your favorite)

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Coat a large cookie sheet with cooking spray.  Place wings in a large plastic baggie, add seasoning, and shake shake shake to coat.  Place wings on the cookie sheet and bake in the pre-heated oven for about 20 minutes.
• Serve with low-fat ranch dip and celery, and you can indulge without all the guilt.

Slow Cooker Beef Sandwiches

For something that’s more of a meal to feed your crowd, you cannot go wrong with these (and they are impossible to mess up).  In fact you can tweak it to any taste you prefer, find countless versions on the web, and even invent your own unique recipe.    At its most basic, it’s rump roast cooked in beef broth for at least 12 hrs (the longer you cook it, all the more tender and juicy it will become) on low in a crock pot. 

A 3 1/2 pound roast together with one can (10 oz) beef broth serves 10-12 people.

Then try any of these additions:

• A packet of italian dressing mix and a jar of pepperoncini peppers.
• A packet of onion soup mix and chopped mushrooms.
• Sliced onions, onion soup mix, and sliced green peppers.
• You could also add beer, red wine, or a bit of sugar to your broth to bring out different flavors. 

Have plenty of crusty french rolls and some slices of provolone or mozzarella on hand too.  This is a great recipe that can feed those there at kick off all the way through the late-comers who don’t arrive until after half-time.

GO  TEAM GO! And Enjoy!