Football Party Foods

A football party is not the time to roll out the caviar or the pan-seared foie gras. Sports fans, even the gourmet kind, want foods that are quick and hearty … and that don’t take attention away from the game.

Mushroom and Brie Crostini

So with a distracted audience, one needn’t worry about putting together an elaborate menu. It is better to spend creative cooking energy on simple food that’s tasty and satisfying. That’s not to say that the food can’t be a little more upscale and different than the typical football fare.

To start, a mix of crostini and/or flatbreads are flavorful, gratifying to eat and are incredibly easy to make. Just about anything can be placed on some kind of bread and heated, and everyone always enjoys making their own flatbread pizzas.

Broiled Mustard Chicken Legs

Chili is always popular and it is easy to make a large, tasty batch. Wings are a perennial favorite, but drumsticks are meatier and, thus, more filling. Broiled mustard chicken legs are full of flavor and, because they are broiled, are fast and healthier than fried chicken. They are just as good cold, so they can be made ahead of time. Served up with some side salads and voila!, a hearty, enjoyable dinner is born. An extra bonus is that nothing needs to be cut, making it easy to eat and reducing the amount of utensils down to forks only.

Easy to Eat Cookies and Brownies

When it comes to desserts, think hand-held. Brownies and cookies (like my cashew cookies that can be sprinkled with colored sugars representing team colors for extra fun) arranged on platters require no additional serving dishes, unlike pies, cakes and ice cream. And they are a lot less messy when everyone flings their hands in the air to cheer a touchdown or curse a ref!

Enjoy your party!