A Winning Spread for the Big Game

(Family Features) Big-game watch parties call for big-game snacks, but that doesn’t have to mean complicated recipes or hours spent in the kitchen. Small bites and hearty dips made with real ingredients can be easy to prepare, and make an impressive spread that guests can enjoy from opening kickoff to the final whistle.  

To avoid the classic snacking fumble of having your guests’ chips crumbling in your dips, choose an option like Garden of Eatin’ Blue Tortilla Chips, the mother of all chips, made with organic whole blue corn kernels that are stone ground to perfection for thick, tasty and hearty chips that stand up to any dip.

To prepare for fellow viewers with other lifestyle or dietary needs, plan to offer snacks and dips that satisfy even the most finicky of fans. Prepare a double serving of guacamole and split it in two. Keep one as-is for an easy and healthy vegan option, and make BLT Guacamole with the rest.

Serve with Garden of Eatin’ Grain Free Cassava Chips, which are made with organic cassava, sunflower and chia seeds. Crafted to perfection, these gluten-free, grain-free, vegan, paleo-approved chips provide a tasty touchdown for the whole team.

If you’re looking to bring the heat with bold taste and just enough spice in each bite, go for a warm option like Tex-Mex Enchilada Queso. To save time, you can assemble it a few hours before kickoff or even a day ahead of the game then bake just prior to guests arriving. An easy way to make this recipe stretch is to make a portion without meat so you have a vegetarian option as well.

Find more recipes to bring victory to your game-day spread at gardenofeatin.com.

BLT Guacamole

Recipe courtesy of Gaby Dalkin of What’s Gaby Cooking

• 3          strips bacon
• 3          avocados, seeds removed
• 2          baby romaine lettuce leaves, halved and shredded
• 1          small red onion, finely chopped
• 2          tomatoes, finely chopped
• 1          lime, juiced
• 1          lemon, juiced
• 2          tablespoons cilantro, chopped
• 2          tablespoons chives, chopped
• kosher salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste
• Garden of Eatin’ Grain-Free Cassava Chips

1. Cook bacon according to package instructions. Drain on paper towel and break into small pieces.
2. In medium bowl, roughly mash avocado. Add lettuce, onion, tomato and bacon. Stir lime juice, lemon juice, cilantro and chives into avocado. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
3. Serve with tortilla chips.

Tex-Mex Enchilada Queso

Recipe courtesy of Gaby Dalkin of What’s Gaby Cooking

•             Nonstick cooking spray
• 8          ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1          cup sour cream
• 1          tablespoon ground chili powder
• 1          teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2       teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2       teaspoon kosher salt
• 1          can (10 ounces) green enchilada sauce
• 1          can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1          can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes in green chilies, drained
• 1          cup frozen corn, thawed
• 1          cup freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese, divided
• 1          cup shredded rotisserie chicken
• chopped fresh cilantro
• chopped green onions
• Garden of Eatin’ Blue Corn Tortilla Chips, for serving

1. Heat oven to 400° F.
2. Lightly coat deep, 9-inch skillet with cooking spray.
3. In large bowl, using hand mixer on medium speed, beat cream cheese, sour cream, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder and salt until smooth and well combined. Reduce speed to low then beat in enchilada sauce until incorporated. Stir in beans, tomatoes, corn, 1/2 cup cheddar cheese and shredded chicken.
4. Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish. Top with remaining cheddar cheese. Bake 25-30 minutes until dip is hot and cheese is bubbly. Sprinkle with cilantro and green onions.
5. Serve warm with tortilla chips.

A Perfect Cool-Weather Pairing

(Family Features) Some foods just seem to evoke the smell, taste and feel of chilly weather.

As a beloved flavor, maple syrup can be much more than a breakfast condiment or pancake topping – it can be an impressive way to transform simple, seasonal snacks.

A delicious beverage or dessert can be enhanced with the flavor of maple. For example, chef Megan Miller, of Baker Miller in Chicago, recommends the crisp, fresh taste of Homemade Maple Cream Soda as a beverage that pairs perfectly with the smoky kick of Stacy’s® Fire Roasted Jalapeno Pita Chips – a pantry staple in her home.

For a sweet treat, chef Joanne Chang, of Flour in Boston, suggests New England Maple Apple Dip. This dip delivers the flavors of the season with maple syrup, fresh apples and cinnamon as another delectable accompaniment to pita chips.

By combining these seasonal ingredients, you can create delicious pairings and mouthwatering desserts. Find more chef selections and featured pairings at stacyssnacks.com.

New England Maple Apple Dip
Prep time: 5 minutes
Servings: 6

• 1 cup cream cheese
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• pinch of salt
• 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
• 2 apples, peeled and chopped into 1/4-inch cubes
• Stacy's Cinnamon Sugar Pita Chips or Stacy's Simply Naked Pita Chips

1. Using food processor, blend cream cheese with maple syrup, cinnamon and salt until smooth.
2. Fold Greek yogurt into cream cheese mixture; mix in apples.
3. Serve with pita chips.

Homemade Maple Cream Soda
Prep time: 1 minute
Servings: 1

• 1/2 ounce maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon warm water
• ice cubes
• 6 ounces sparkling water
• orange or lemon, for garnish
• Stacy's Fire Roasted Jalapeno Pita Chips

1. Stir maple syrup in warm water to dissolve.
2. Add ice and sparkling water; stir and garnish with orange or lemon.
3. Serve with pita chips.