5 Steps for Game Day Party Success

(Family Features) Whether you have been planning for months or you’re inviting guests the day of, hosting a huge crowd on game day requires a bit more than RSVPs and a welcoming setting. Whether a “huge crowd” to you means five guests or 50, starting out with a plan can help make the day more enjoyable for everyone.

To help make your game day soiree a success, knowing which snacks are top picks for the event might make shopping a little easier. The experts at Frito-Lay North America conducted the inaugural U.S. Snack Index – a poll that surveyed Americans for insights on which snacks rose to the top for consumers this year – to share what guests want on game day.

Get Organized From Guests to Groceries
From sending invites to selecting the snacks you’ll serve, start by organizing your thoughts and writing down the details. For starters, create a guest list so you’ll know exactly how much food and drink you’ll need to buy and map out your grocery list for a stress-free trip to the store.

Game Day Setup
A picture is worth a thousand words, and you can rest assured many game day viewers will plan to share images of their spreads on social media. To make sure your game day setup is ready for primetime, start by decluttering your space, arranging furniture for ample seating and laying out the picture-perfect snack table so guests can reach for snacks, plates, napkins and utensils, with easy access.

Snacks for All
While it may be first instinct to feel like you need to cook crafty dishes and artsy snacks, that may not necessarily be important to game day guests. In fact, according to the index, nearly all game day party-goers will enjoy snacks during the competition, and 80 percent of viewers said they’ll eat either potato or tortilla chips. Chips aren’t the only thing to consider. Score big with your guests by picking the perfect pairings, like salsa for tortilla chips, which ranks as the most popular dip overall, or French onion dip, which is the most popular choice for dipping potato chips.

Encourage Fun for Everyone
Of course, the game is the reason for the party and the center of attention, but the fact is it’s possible not every person in attendance is a sports fan. By bringing out board games or cards and setting up tables in adjacent rooms, you can encourage a fun environment for everyone at the party. Plus, by creating a secondary station away from the TV, you’ll allow for non-sports conversation without upsetting the diehards.

Keep it Simple
Generally, game day watch parties are of the more laid-back variety. This no-fuss attitude carries over into party snack prep, as more than half of viewers surveyed in the U.S. Snack Index prefer to prepare simple recipes whether they’re hosting or attending. On top of laid-back snacks, more than one-third of consumers polled plan to simply put snacks in the closest bowl rather than planning out a social media-worthy snack table.

Find more survey details and snacking ideas at fritolay.com/snackindex.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Throw the Ultimate Tailgate

(Family Features) Football season is back, and that means it’s time to stock up on all the tailgating essentials. Nailing the food lineup is key because few things can ruin a good game like getting “hangry” before kickoff. This year, kick your game up a notch with simple tailgating recipes that bring the perfect blend of flavor and heat. These easy recipes will get you enjoying the festivities in no time, whether you’re tailgating at the stadium or homegating on your couch.

No matter which team you and your friends are rooting for, there’s one thing that all football fans can agree on: wings are the MVPs of game day. Wings have been holding the line ever since 1964, when Frank’s RedHot was the key ingredient in the first-ever Buffalo wings.

After all these years, there’s a reason wings keep their defending champ status: they’re easy to make and a surefire way to deliver that classic Buffalo flavor. Just bake the wings for half an hour to get that crispy coating, toss with your two-ingredient buffalo sauce and you’re all set. Serve them up with blue cheese dressing and celery sticks and you’ll be on your way to the ultimate tailgate.  

In order to make sure you’ve got the win locked in, have more than one play in your back pocket. Turn to another tried-and-true, one-pot classic: chili.

Don’t overthink it – all you need to do is brown some ground beef, add some onion then crushed tomatoes, beans, hot sauce and seasoning. All you need is 15 minutes to build flavor and you’re good to go. Even easier, let your slow cooker do the work. Finish it off with shredded cheese, scallions, sour cream and more hot sauce, and you’ll have the hearty chili you need to keep the tailgate going strong. Enjoy your chili on its own or spoon it on top of hot dogs, nachos and whatever else you have on your plate.

For more tailgate tips and great-tasting game day recipes, visit franksredhot.com/recipes.

Buffalo Chicken Wings

• 2 1/2    pounds chicken wing pieces 
• 1/2       cup Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce
• 1/3       cup butter, melted 
• blue cheese dressing
• celery sticks

1. Heat oven to 450° F.
2. In foil-lined pan, bake wings 30 minutes until crispy, turning once.
3. In bowl, combine sauce and butter.
4. Toss wings in sauce to coat completely.
5. Serve with blue cheese dressing and celery sticks.

Chili

• 2          pounds ground beef
• 1          large onion, chopped
• 1          can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes in puree
• 1          can (15-19 ounces) kidney beans, undrained
• 1/4       cup Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce
• 2          packages (1 1/4 ounces) chili seasoning mix
• shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
• scallions (optional)
• sour cream (optional)

1. In large, nonstick pot, cook beef until browned.
2. Add onion; cook 3 minutes. Drain.
3. Stir in tomatoes, beans, sauce and seasoning mix. Heat to boiling. Stir often.
4. Simmer, partially covered, 15 minutes, or until flavors are blended. Stir often.
5. Garnish, as desired, with shredded cheddar cheese, scallions and sour cream.