IT'S ALMOST HERE...

COLLEGE FOOTBALL BEGINS THIS WEEK!!!
ARE YOU READY?


Two bits, four bits, six bits, a dollar
All for FOOTBALL, stand up and holler!

More importantly....at least around our house...

AUBURN FOOTBALL BEGINS!


Bodda Getta Bodda Getta Bodda Getta Bah!
Rah Rah Rah!
Sis Boom Bah!
Weegle, Weegle
War Dam Eagle
Kick 'em in the butt Big Blue!
Hey!

Can you tell I am excited? Around here, my husband has been giving us all the Auburn stats...who's the starting QB...who's the fastest...which high school recruit is showing the most promise...and so on, and so on.

Track 'em Tigers

Just like beagles!

Give 'em hell

You War Damn Eagles!

Hey!

Our flag and banner are waiting to be hoisted onto the house and into the trees (we're even taking one to St A!)...orange and blue dishes have been washed and are ready to hold their goodies...

And I already have a bet going on with "Constant Chatter..."

Now, all I need are some delicious "tailgating" recipes...
If I could figure out this "link" thing, I'd start a "Tailgate Recipe" party. But, I am computer-challenged...so here's the deal...
If you have any special tried and true, favorite recipe that would be a great addition to a football tailgate, please send it to me. I promise, I'll post it...and I'll share my recipes, too.
Email is fine.


Here's one of our favorites:

Jalapeno Popper Spread

2 blocks cream cheese, softened

1/2 jar diced jalapeno peppers*, plus some of the juice (more or less, to taste)

Parmesan Cheese, shredded (I use freshly grated cheese, adding some to the spread and enough to cover the top.)

1/4 cup Panko bread crumbs (actually, I just sprinkle on top until the spread is covered)

Fold the peppers and juice into the softened cream cheese. Put the mixture into an oven-proof baking dish. Sprinkle the Parmesan Cheese on top, to cover. Sprinkle the Panko crumbs on top. Bake at 350 degrees until warmed through. Serve with pita chips, baguette slices, tortilla chips, etc.

*I use Mt. Olive Diced Jalapenos.

**There are many versions of this dip online...some call for mayo and green chilis, some add cheddar or Mexican cheese blends. They're all very good. Since I am not a big fan of mayo in spreads, I try to leave it out. The result is a lighter version of the spread. Just play with this recipe...make it your own.

ENJOY THE GAMES!
and 
WAR EAGLE!

(Can you tell I was a cheerleader...)

Hugs!

Jane

Jane's Fabulous Cheese Spread

Tailgating at home...

With Auburn being 8 hours away, we cannot get to many games. So...we have our celebrations here at the house. This past week was the AU/Clemson game. And Music Guy came from Orlando to watch the game with his dad and Wine Guy. Of course, MG made the requests for foods, this week...

Cuban Sandwiches

Buffalo Chicken Dip w/Scoops and celery sticks

N.M. Cheese Spread

Fresh Fruit

Chocolate Chip Cookies

We had a wonderful time, being together and cheering our beloved Auburn Tigers throughout the nail-biting game. We won in overtime!!! War Eagle

Pom Poms, autographed football, and bobble head player formed the simple centerpiece.

Side table provided the space for plates, etc. The cups were gathered at AU games. Notice the scarf on "Rowdy's" neck in the whimsical painting. It's his AU scarf...says "War Eagle". The table is draped with burlap, then topped with denim and orange beaded placemats...found at a Pier One outlet many years ago.

Cuban sandwiches are made with...

Cuban Bread

Baked Ham

Cuban-style, Roasted Pork

Big-Eye Swiss Cheese

Genoa Salami

Dill Pickle

Mayo - mustard

Used the BIG SCREEN (140") to watch the game.

(Even I can follow the plays when it's this big!)

Gotta have Zinfandel during a game. It's tradition!

MacDaddy is allowing WG to choose...

MG is sprawled and ready to cheer the Tigers!

WG and his fiance...

Jules has become a rapid AU fan. Boy can she yell!!!

It's so much fun to watch games with her...

And now...the recipe I am sharing with you today. (I did not name this...my Bunco ladies did.) As you can see, the guys got to it before I could take a photo. Yep...it's that good!

The original recipe is called Neiman Marcus Cheese Spread...why? I have absolutely no idea. I have tweaked it a bit...reducing the amount of mayo...adding a bit more onion...toasting the almonds. A friend brought this dish to one of our potlucks...and it was wiped out very quickly. Since then, it's always the most requested appetizer I have...and it's always eaten.

"Jane's Fabulous Cheese Spread" (based on the N.M. Cheese Spread recipe)

2-3 cups shredded, sharp cheddar cheese

1 small (2-3 oz) bag bacon pieces (or 6 slices, cooked and crumbled)

4-5 green onions (tops), chopped (to taste)

1/2 - 3/4 cup toasted almonds (slivered)

Mayonnaise...enough to bind the ingredients together (to taste)

Combine all the ingredients together and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Serve with thinly sliced baguettes (my favorite), apple slices, celery sticks, crackers, flat bread, etc.

Enjoy!

Jane

Be sure to check out the other Foodie Friday recipes at Designs by Gollum.

Jalapeno Popper Spread

As you all know...it's FOOTBALL season!!! I'm just coming down from the euphoria of watching Auburn squeak by Mississippi State tonight. (I HATE those cowbells!!! It was so annoying not being able to hear the commentators over the racket! AND it's against the SEC rules to shake them during plays. But did anyone care? NO!!!) Let me get back to my thoughts...FOOTBALL SEASON means tailgating...whether at the actual GAME or watching the game on TV. And that means...GOOD FOOD!

When MacDaddy and I head to Auburn for games, our friends insist that we bring Cuban sandwiches (something I first did when AU played my alma mater, USF (Univ. of South FL...in Tampa). I brought a little taste of Tampa with me to honor my Bulls (hey...football is still new to USF... Ya gotta celebrate somehow! Guess who won that game...) Sandwiches are fine...and these are delicious. But...you need more than that. So here's a simple recipe that always gets raves...

Jalapeno Popper Spread

2 blocks cream cheese, softened

1/2 jar diced jalapeno peppers*, plus some of the juice (more or less, to taste)

Parmesan Cheese, shredded (I use freshly grated cheese, adding some to the spread and enough to cover the top.)

1/4 cup Panko bread crumbs (actually, I just sprinkle on top until the spread is covered)

Fold the peppers and juice into the softened cream cheese. Put the mixture into an oven-proof baking dish. Sprinkle the Parmesan Cheese on top, to cover. Sprinkle the Panko crumbs on top. Bake at 350 degrees until warmed through. Serve with pita chips, baguette slices, tortilla chips, etc.

*I use Mt. Olive Diced Jalapenos.

**There are many versions of this dip online...some call for mayo and green chilis, some add cheddar or Mexican cheese blends. They're all very good. Since I am not a big fan of mayo in spreads, I try to leave it out. The result is a lighter version of the spread. Just play with this recipe...make it your own.

Enjoy!

Jane

(football photo from msnbc.com)

Be sure to visit designsbygollum.blogspot.com for more Foodie Friday recipes.