College football bowl games are in full swing, and so are the parties that celebrate the championship madness. And what’s a party without great eats? When you are cheering on your favorite team you need a mix of hearty dishes and some great finger foods, like these:
MEDITERRANEAN PIZZA
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1/2 medium-sized red onion, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
Salt and pepper
8 cups baby spinach
1 teaspoon lemon zest
Rolled out pizza dough or pre-baked pizza crust
1/2 cup pesto sauce
1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and coarsely chopped
1 cup chopped tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 cup quartered artichoke hearts
1 1/2 cups feta cheese, crumbled
1 to 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet. Add red onion and cook over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes, until tender. Add remaining oil and spinach. Cook for a minute or two. Add garlic and season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and stir in lemon zest.
Spoon pesto sauce over pizza crust. Spread the onion and spinach on top. Sprinkle the olives on. Add the tomatoes and artichoke hearts over the spinach, and then follow with feta, then add mozzarella and Parmesan.
Bake the pizza for 8 to 10 minutes or until the crust is golden and crisp.
SPICY SNACK MIX
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
9 cups corn Chex, rice Chex or wheat Chex cereal (or combination)
2 cups bite-size pretzel twists
2 cups bite-size cheese crackers
1 package dry Ranch dressing mix
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions:
Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
Melt butter and Worcestershire sauce together.
In large bowl, toss melted butter mixture with cereal, pretzels and crackers until evenly coated. Stir in dressing mix and cheese until evenly coated.
Spread cereal mixture on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake 10 minutes. Stir after 5 minutes.
Remove snack mix from oven and spread on waxed paper cool for about 15 minutes.
Serve to the masses.
Related Articles:
Super Sandwiches for the Big Bowl Games
Bowl-o-Rama: Party Recipes for Football Fans