Football season is in full swing! Whether you’re gearing up for the big game at the stadium or bringing the tailgating experience home, one thing’s for sure: delicious food takes center stage. I have the ultimate game day spread that you can make and serve, starting with a fun football dip.
This cream cheese football dip is so easy to make, simply combine 3 blocks of cream cheese with 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar, 1/3 cup of chopped chives and a pinch of garlic. Shape into a football cover with Volpi Foods pepperoni & Chorizo Crumbles and add sliced mozzarella cheese for laces. All the Volpi products are made with Raised Responsibly™ Midwest Pork and all-natural, minimal ingredients. This woman owned company’s products are slow-aged with traditional methods passed down four generations. You can find them at Sprouts and HEB.
These sliders are made with the Volpi Foods Sandwich trio of Genoa, Coppa, and Mortadella and probolone cheese. Cut the rolls in half, keeping them connected. Spread mayo on top, add your fillings and place the buns on top. In a medium bowl, whisk together ¼ cup olive oil with 1 tbsp each of dijon mustard and 1 tbsp poppy seeds. Brush the sauce on top of the rolls and bake for 10 minutes at 350 F. These sandwiches are fun and easy to make, and perfect for serving a crowd.
Another nutritious, crowd-pleasing dish to make and serve is tilapia veggie foil packets. It’s National Seafood Month, and a great way to celebrate is to choose ‘Seafood with Standards’. Look for the blue Best Aquaculture Practices or “BAP” label, which certifies that your farmed seafood was produced safely, responsibly, and ethically – all the way from the hatchery through processing. Seafood is one of the most nutritious foods you can add to your diet. You get lean protein, essential fats, and ample vitamins and minerals. Plus, aquaculture can continue to feed our growing population responsibly for generations to come. These tilapia veggie foil packets can be made in the oven or on the grill. Just place you BAP label tilapia filets in foil packets, add your favorite seasonings and oil and veggies like asparagus, zucchini and cherry tomatoes before cooking. You can find delicious, high-quality BAP-certified tilapia as well as other certified seafood options at your local H-E-B grocery stores who are committed to providing responsibly sourced seafood.
For a nutritious game day size dish, we have warm-spiced chickpeas and couscous with grapes and arugula. Studies suggest that resveratrol and certain flavonoids found in grapes may positively influence immune function. California grapes are available in red, green and black in different shapes, sizes, textures and levels of sweetness. Grapes can be used in dishes of all kinds since they can be roasted, pickled, grilled, baked, and more. They offer a balance of sweet and acid, and add a juicy burst of flavor to this dish. Start by sautéing onion with cumin, salt and all spice. Add couscous, turmeric and water and cook until the couscous is tender before stirring in chickpeas, grapes, cilantro and arugula.
Finally, round out your tailgate spread with a loaded nutrient-dense charcuterie board. Add veggies, grapes, crackers, dips, soft prezels and Ovation Foods’ Steak-N-Eggs. These meat snacks are made from premium quality lean beef combined with one whole egg so you’re getting 25-28g of high-quality protein and 38 essential nutrients in each serving including important brain nutrient choline. If you’ve never heard of Choline, it’s a nutrient we all should pay attention to because a recent study found that over 90% of Americans may be deficient. Ovation Foods Steak-N-Eggs contain 190mg of choline which comes from both the lean beef and from whole egg-which is one of the best single food sources to obtain it from. Ovation Foods Steak-N-Eggs products just launched into the market beginning with Sprouts Farmers Markets. You find them at the front of the store at the “Forager Table” in 4 delicious flavors – Teriyaki, Smokehouse, Black Pepper and my favorite – Jalapeno cheddar.
