Game Day Eats

The Super Bowl is swiftly approaching and with it visions of burgers, cheese dips, and pigs in a blanket. From hot wings to bacon-wrapped shrimp, I'm a huge fan of game day foods. However, when I hear the words "Super Bowl," there's one dish that comes to mind, and it causes my heart to beat a little faster. That's right, you guessed it: nachos! I can't resist a heaping plate of guacamole- and sour-cream-topped cheesy tortilla chips. Give me a cold beer on the side, and I'm a happy camper. How about you? What foods are you looking forward to eating on the big day?

Source: Flickr User jeffreyww

Recently I came across a really interesting Rick Bayless recipe for bacon guacamole. At first I thought, that can't be right. Rick Bayless doesn't really seem like an everything-tastes-better-with-bacon sort of guy. However, there it was in my inbox: bacon guacamole by Rick Bayless. I was skeptical as to whether or not it would work, but considering that I love both bacon and guacamole, I decided to give it a try. And guess what? It totally works!It's actually ingenious — an addictive and amazingly scrumptious dip. It's a good thing I made it for guests because had I been alone in my apartment, I would have shoveled the entire bowl down my throat in a matter of minutes. The smokiness of the bacon is enhanced by the addition of chipotle chiles in adobo. With juicy tomato, creamy guacamole, and crunchy bacon, each bite is a taste explosion! It's perfect for tailgating season, so get the recipe now.

There's something I need to get off my chest: I use canned crabmeat when making crab dip. If I'm going to dilute the flavor of the crab with cheese, herbs, and mayonnaise, why not use the canned variation?

My favorite canned crab is the kind they sell in the refrigerator section of Costco. It's fresh and full of meaty chunks of crab perfect for crab dip. Although I love a hot, bubbling crab dip, when tailgating, it's easier to serve cold crab dip. This recipe from Tyler Florence pairs the chilled crab dip with herbed saltines and roasted tomatoes. Having tried these elements, let me tell you a secret: they're unnecessary! The dip is simply sublime on its own.

No fussy saltines or cherry tomatoes necessary. Seriously, my guests agreed, the creamy, tangy dip is so scrumptious by itself, you'll want to eat it with a spoon. Get the easy preparation method, after the break.

I'm a huge fan of dips: I serve them at all my parties and am constantly searching for the best dip recipes. Although I've made classic onion dip a couple of times, I've been disappointed with the variations I've tried. None of them tasted better than the onion dip from a seasoning packet. I was just about to give up on homemade onion dip, until one day, while browsing Katie Lee's book, The Comfort Table, I stumbled upon her recipe. It seemed simple enough and since it would pair well with brie-stuffed burgers, I decided to make it. Good thing, because — finally — I've found a wonderful onion dip! It's thick and creamy with a rich caramelized onion flavor. Lee recommends serving it with homemade potato chips, but I paired it with thick-cut Kettle Chips and it was absolutely delicious. Warning: it's an addictive dip; you might just eat it all! Here's her recipe.

Although March Madness doesn't start for another 10 days, it's not too early to start thinking about what you are going to make. Might I recommend this amazingly easy and sinfully delicious chili cheese dip? Seriously, this dip is so good I've made it twice and served it at two different parties.

Now if you know me, you'll know that I never make the same thing twice. I would also never serve a dish at one party and then serve it at another one with the same guests. However, this dip is just so good I had to make an exception for it. It comes together quickly and is a real crowd-pleaser. Both times I put it together the night before and reheated it in the oven right before the event. There's really nothing more to say except make it! Here's the recipe.

Buffalo-flavoring has been popping up everywhere these days, and while I've enjoyed it in classic and dip forms, I haven't really experienced it any other way. That's why, when I came across this recipe for buffalo-chicken quesadillas, I knew I had to make it! For being such a tasty, finger-licking good appetizer, it's surprising to learn that the technique is super easy.

All you do is toss store-bought chicken with bottled Buffalo sauce and Monterey jack cheese. Then you slap the mixture between two tortillas, cook, and serve alongside blue cheese dressing. Genius! It's a great appetizer that's perfect for a movie night. To learn how its made, read more

Still on the hunt for a finger food that'll complete your Super Bowl Sunday? Consider serving the sliders and wings with a cheesy, toasty Southern snack that'll please just about anyone. Seriously, it's melted pimento cheese, crunchy baguette, and crispy bits of bacon — how can you go wrong?

I love the worry-free factor of these bites. The pimento cheese can be made several days ahead, and the recipe can be halved and still turns out great. I don't have a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, so I hand-mixed the pimento cheese. Win over any Super Bowl fan when you read more.

When it comes to game day eats, dips are convenient, chili is comforting, and pizza is solid, but none of them hold a candle to the reigning champion of Super Bowl snacks: fiery, vinegar-laden chicken wings.

While it's a Sunday requirement, buffalo chicken isn't the most ideal to make; even with special cooking equipment, its deep-fried preparation can be dangerous, messy, and odorous. Leave it to the king of food science, Alton Brown, to come up with an alternative cooking method for buffalo chicken.

His recipe calls for steaming, chilling, and then baking the chicken wings. It's healthier, less messy, and even my sports fanatic boyfriend can't tell the difference! For a baked version that achieves the same crispy, crackly results, keep reading.

When I think of a game day, it always involves food sensations. The scent of bacon wafting through the air, the sticky fingers that require licking clean, the lingering heat from a spicy sauce that causes lips to tingle. A dish that exemplifies these sentiments? Bacon-wrapped shrimp with spicy barbecue sauce. They are, as Guy Fieri would say, "a triple F" — filling, flavorful, and fun to eat — basically everything you could ever want in a Super Bowl snack. Not to mention that the recipe is easy and the sauce can be made in advance. To score big with these amazing skewers, get the recipe and read more