Game Day Treats

(Family Features) From kickoff to the final whistle, game day is all about spending time with friends and family while rooting for your favorite team. When it’s your turn to host, you can bring all the fun of a tailgate party to the comfort of your couch with the proper plan for hosting.

Show Your Team Spirit
Make your guests feel excited from the moment they walk through the door – or as soon as they pull in the driveway – by decking out your space in team colors and memorabilia. Use football- or team-themed banners, flags, balloons, coasters and tablecloths to set the mood.

Wear your favorite jersey and create a stadium-like atmosphere with fun props like foam fingers or pom-poms for guests to use and cheer on their team.

Prep Ahead of Time to Score Big
Avoid a rush before kickoff by making a checklist of everything you’ll need. Ensure your TV and sound systems are working correctly and that you have access to the right channel or streaming platform.

Make a store run at least a day in advance to grab everything you’ll need for your watch party: dishes, snacks, drinks, tablecloths, trash bags and some household essentials like Finish Ultimate Dishwasher Detergent. Finish Ultimate tackles dish cleanup in the kitchen like a pro, so hosts can enjoy all the fun parts of game day without the worry.

If possible, pack your coolers the night before – just as you would for tailgating at the stadium – and prep and cook any dishes you can ahead of time, so you can enjoy the action with minimal interruptions.

Feed the Fans
Football fans are often foodies, too. A buffet-style food setup allows guests to help themselves to their favorite snacks and dishes throughout all four quarters.

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Review your game plan ahead of kickoff to make sure your game day menu offers a variety of finger foods, such as wings, sliders and nachos. Then, take your menu to the next level with unique eats like this new saucy, cheesy creation – the TRUFF Hot Honey Bacon Cheddar Dip with Pretzel Bites – to add a spicy twist.

To complete the roster of game day eats, include a veggie tray or charcuterie board and a variety of beverages, including water, soda and juice. To stay on theme, consider serving cake or brownies in the shape of a football for dessert or topping cupcakes with icing in the team’s colors.

Tackle Cleanup
All those delicious snacks your guests are enjoying are sure to make a mess. For hosts tackling cleanup during the game, don’t miss out on all the on-screen action–turn to the star player to make cleanup a breeze: Finish Ultimate Dishwasher Detergent.

Finish Ultimate tackles tough game day messes, even without pre-rinsing, leaving hosts more time to cheer on their team and less time in the kitchen cleaning up.

Create the Perfect Viewing Environment
Ensure everyone has an unobstructed view by arranging your seating strategically. Use a combination of couches, chairs and floor cushions to accommodate your guests. Scatter small tables throughout the area within easy reach for guests to place their drinks and snacks while the action is live.

To ensure fans never miss a moment of the action, turn the TVs in other rooms to the game as well; just ensure the sound is down in case the main screen is ahead or behind of the secondary viewing options.

Consider Downtime Entertainment to Keep the Energy High
While the main event is watching the action, you can keep the excitement going during halftime and commercial breaks with fun activities like cornhole, football trivia, bingo, mascot matching or an old-fashioned game of catch. Also have some board games, card games or video games on hand for those who might want to take a break from watching or children who aren’t as engaged in the on-screen action.

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For the ultimate game day recipe and to find more ways to tackle dish cleanup in the kitchen on game day, visit finishdishwashing.com/truff-hot-honey-bacon-cheddar-dip.

Hot Honey Bacon Cheddar Dip with Pretzel Bites

Recipe courtesy of Finish
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 1 hour
Servings: 12

• 5          slices bacon
• 1/2       cup honey
• 2          tablespoons TRUFF Original Hot Sauce
• 16        ounces cream cheese, softened
• 2/3       cup lager-style beer
• 1/4       cup Dijon mustard
• 24        ounces cheddar cheese, grated
• 1/2       cup fresh scallions, chopped
• 1          teaspoon garlic powder
• 1          teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2       teaspoon cracked black pepper
• 24        ounces frozen pretzel bites, baked according to package instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400° F.
2. Evenly space bacon in 13-by-9-inch dishwasher-safe ceramic or glass baking dish.
3. Bake bacon 10 minutes.
4. Microwave honey 15-20 seconds. Add hot sauce and whisk to combine.
5. Remove bacon from oven and carefully pat dry with paper towels.
6. Brush bacon with hot honey and return to oven. Set aside any remaining hot honey for later use.
7. Bake bacon 10-15 minutes until brown and crisp. Set bacon aside to cool.
8. Chop bacon into small, bite-sized pieces.
9. Pour bacon pan drippings into bowl and discard once cool.
10. In bowl, whisk softened cream cheese, beer and mustard to combine.
11. Add grated cheddar cheese, chopped scallions, garlic powder, onion powder and black pepper. Stir until thoroughly combined.
12. Spread mixture evenly in 13-by-9-inch dishwasher-safe ceramic or glass baking dish.
13. Bake 20-25 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.
14. Remove from oven and rest 5 minutes.
15. Sprinkle top of dip with chopped bacon and drizzle with remaining hot honey.
16. Serve dip alongside baked pretzel bites.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock (football fans)

SOURCE:
Finish

(Culinary.net) Step into Southern tradition as the calendar flips. Black-eyed peas are considered a good luck charm for the new year, and you can join in on the prosperity with this one-pan version that adds bacon and rice for extra charm.

Visit Culinary.net to find more family recipe inspiration throughout 2025.

Savory Good Luck Black-Eyed Peas

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 6-8

• 1/2 pound bacon
• 5 large collard leaves
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 can (10 ounces) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
• 2 cans (15 ounces each) black-eyed peas
• 2 packages (8 ounces each) long grain and wild rice
• cornbread

1. Using kitchen shears, cut bacon into pieces then fry in skillet. Drain and set aside.
2. Wash and devein collard leaves. Roll and cut into extra-small pieces. In same frying pan used to cook bacon, add butter, garlic powder and onion powder. Over medium heat, saute collard greens. Add broth and tomatoes.
3. Drain and rinse black-eyed peas. Add to pan with cooked bacon.
4. Cook rice according to package instructions.
5. Place black-eyed peas mixture on try and spread rice around it. Serve with cornbread.

SOURCE:
Culinary.net

https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-beverage

(Family Features) For many, the hallmark of the holiday season is time with cherished loved ones, and there are few better places to spend those special moments together than gathered around a beautiful seasonal spread. By adding a little creative flair to the menu, and a signature ingredient like grapes, you can elevate any dish – from snacks and main courses to sides, desserts and even cocktails.

Compatible with an array of other foods, grapes can add flavor, texture and beauty to dishes and take hosting to the next level thanks to their delicate sweetness and juicy texture.

Available into January and perfect for the holiday season, fresh Grapes from California can add a crisp, juicy burst of flavor to salads like this Lemony Grapes and Greens Salad. Or take advantage of the versatility of grapes by roasting them to intensify the flavor of an appetizer such as Balsamic-Roasted Grape and Burrata Crostini or muddling into a sweet and savory Grape Basil Martini, which highlights their delicate sweetness in a festive manner.

Find more recipes and inspiration to elevate your holiday menu at grapesfromcalifornia.com.

Using Grapes as Holiday Decor

Clusters of colorful grapes are beautiful, tasty additions to many holiday tables. However, their use goes well beyond serving as an appealing addition to holiday recipes. Consider these ways you can utilize grapes when setting out your seasonal spread:

• Vase Filler: Use grapes instead of glass gems or foam to hold flowers in place in a vase. Grapes keep floral arrangements completely natural and extend color throughout the vase.
• Trim the Turkey: After placing the turkey on a large platter, decorate with a variety of fresh herbs and small bunches of grapes for friends and family to admire before it’s gobbled up.
• Set the Table: Grapes add color, texture and flavor to dining tables and work well with a wide variety of themes and color palettes.
• Floral Arrangements: Red, green and black grapes pair perfectly with a wide variety of flowers and greenery to add color, texture and depth to floral arrangements.
• Grape and Mint Ice Cubes: Grapes freeze well and make for a perfect replacement for ice cubes in cocktails. Simply freeze sliced grapes and mint in ice cube trays with a bit of water then add to favorite cocktails.
• Chocolate-Dipped Grapes: Dipped in white, milk or dark chocolate varieties, grapes can be paired with desserts like cheesecake or served on their own.
• Cake Decor: Red, green and black grapes are ideal decor for frosted cakes, serving as edible decorations that add color and elegance to each tier.

Balsamic-Roasted Grape and Burrata Crostini

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Servings: 8

• 3 cups red or black Grapes from California
• 1/4 cup white or traditional balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 8 ounces burrata cheese
• 3 tablespoons roasted, salted pistachio kernels, coarsely chopped
• fresh basil, snipped
• 24 soft or toasted baguette slices

1. In mixing bowl, mix cake mix, flour, cocoa powder and sugar. Blend in milk, eggs and butter.
2. Grease bundt pan with butter and pour in batter. Bake according to package instructions for bundt cakes then add 10-15 minutes. Let cool before icing.
3. To make frosting: In bowl, mix butter, cream cheese and whipping cream. Slowly blend in powdered sugar.
4. Ice entire bundt cake or place frosting in piping bag and pipe with back and forth “drip” motion. Sprinkle sanding sugar for sparkly snow appearance, if desired.

Nutritional information per serving: 290 calories; 11 g protein; 35 g carbohydrates; 12 g fat (37% calories from fat); 5 g saturated fat (16% calories from saturated fat); 20 mg cholesterol; 390 mg sodium; 1 g fiber.

Lemony Grapes and Greens Salad

Prep time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6

Lemon Vinaigrette:

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 teaspoons spicy brown or stone-ground mustard
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper

Salad:

• 10 cups mixed torn greens (endive, watercress, frisee or butter lettuce)
• 1 1/2 cups halved Grapes from California
• 1/2 cup slivered red onion
• 1 large firm but ripe avocado, peeled, pitted and diced
• 1/3 cup roasted, salted pistachio kernels

1. To make lemon vinaigrette: In small bowl, whisk olive oil, lemon juice, honey, mustard, garlic, salt and pepper.
2. To make salad: In large bowl, mix greens, grapes and onion. Drizzle with dressing and toss well to coat. Add avocado and toss lightly. Sprinkle with pistachios.

Nutritional information per serving: 230 calories; 4 g protein; 19 g carbohydrates; 17 g fat (67% calories from fat); 2.5 g saturated fat (10% calories from saturated fat); 0 mg cholesterol; 130 mg sodium; 5 g fiber.

Grape Basil Martini

Servings: 1

• 3 basil leaves, torn, plus 1 full leaf for garnish
• 5 green Grapes from California, halved, plus 2 whole grapes for garnish
• 2 ounces gin
• 1/4 ounce sweet muscat wine
• 1 ounce lemon juice
• 1 ounce simple syrup
• ice

1. In cocktail shaker, muddle basil and grapes with gin. Add sweet wine, lemon juice and simple syrup; shake gently.
2. Strain into rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with basil leaf and float two grapes on top.

Nutritional information per serving: 229 calories; 0 g protein; 24 g carbohydrates; 0 g fat (0% calories from fat); 0 mg cholesterol; 1 mg sodium; 0.3 g fiber.

SOURCE:
California Table Grape Commission

At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.

Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience.

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