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As the warm weather makes its way into the crisp, cooler air of autumn, people start looking for indoor activities to occupy themselves for the winter. With September being the transitional month from your easier summer schedule to your hectic work schedule, this is the ideal time to get into a fun routine. And what better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than with friends or family, fantastic food and all-day football? As fun as these parties can be, they sometimes require a lot of work ahead of time. Following these tips will eliminate some of the stress involved with the big day. You can also try some of these 8 delicious recipes that can simplify your menu.
SUNDAY FUNDAY
It may come as no big surprise that football is America’s most popular sport, and has been that way for the past thirty-four consecutive years. As many already know, the Super Bowl is almost always one of the highest rated broadcasts on television through any given year; drawing in not only football fans, but there are many who just want to view the ever-popular commercials or the versatile half time show. Which makes finding a group of friends and family who would like to watch Sunday’s game an easily achievable task.

Sunday traditions have been passed down from generation to generation, and has become an excellent way for friends & family to spend quality time together. Rivalries and bonds are created among friends over their hometown team; with all bets being off during game time, as things can sometimes get serious when the playoffs are on the line. The games may create some amount of disagreements in how plays were called, what penalties were or weren’t flagged and whether the players foot was in bounds or not. One thing everyone should be able to agree on is that tasty food makes everything alright.
MASTERING THE MENU
Hosting any kind of party takes a little bit of planning in order for the festivities to go off without a problem, and the menu is no different. After all, next to the game of honor, the food is often the second most important feature of the day. There are several things to take into consideration when it comes to menu planning, like food allergies or other dietary restrictions. You wouldn’t want to have all meat items if you have a vegetarian attending, or use peanut oil when there is a nut allergy present.

Drinks are another topic worth discussing a little in depth. Bottled water is almost always a good idea, and I would suggest bottled over tap. This will drastically aid in the cleanup effort, as your dishwasher isn’t completely full of glasses. (there is always the confusion of whose glass is whose, and inevitably, they will both get a new glass) When it comes to soda, having a wide variety is helpful, but usually people won’t be upset if you have Coke instead of Diet. (buying cans will also help with the glass point mentioned earlier)
When it comes to alcohol, that’s when things can get tricky. Let’s face it, beer and football go together like Christmas and snow. With the ever-growing popularity of micro-breweries and the thousands of different kinds of beer on the market, having your party as a BYOB will be the best solution to having everyone’s favorite brew. This also spreads out some of the cost of hosting the party, as alcohol can get pricey when you start having to get enough for 10 or 20 people. This can also help your guests keep track of how many they have had during the day, since it is quite easy to lose count. A guest having their own six pack makes counting that much easier, and when they run out then they are out.
The crock pot should become your best friend when it comes to menu planning. Think only having one is a problem? Think again, as this makes it easier and more convenient to ask guests to bring a dish in their own crock pot. This is another money saving tip, but also helps delegate tasks off of your shoulders and ultimately lightening your workload.
The simplicity behind combining ingredients into one pot and turning it on, along with smelling your dish as it’s aroma fills your home make the crock pot an excellent choice.
MENU INSPIRATION
Need some tasty inspiration for the menu? Try out these 8 simple recipes that will help make your Sunday Funday that much easier on you!
- Chicken Drumettes — slightly grilled for some smokiness then slowly finished in the crock pot. Served with our bold Romesco Sauce and a grilled pineapple salsa. You can find the recipe here https://www.bottledthyme.com/copy-of-master-recipe-page-17
- Pulled Pork Sliders — Featuring the sweet taste of fresh pressed apple cider and whole grain mustard from our Sauce Robert. You can find the recipe here https://www.bottledthyme.com/copy-2-of-crock-pot-cooking-4
- Vegan Chili — Our Romesco Sauce really brings this football staple to life. This hearty chili is the perfect item to include for those who don’t eat meat. This recipe can also be converted to a traditional chili recipe by adding a pound of your favorite meat. You can find the recipe here https://www.bottledthyme.com/copy-2-of-crock-pot-cooking-1
- Sausage Sandwiches — simply take your favorite sausage and poach them in a half of a jar of our Chicken Jus. Add some peppers and onions for a little something special. Slice down the links and load them onto your favorite bread.
- Beef Bourguignon — this hearty beef stew will be an excellent choice on those raw, cold winter days that are ahead. You can find the recipe here https://www.bottledthyme.com/copy-2-of-crock-pot-cooking-2
- Corned Beef & Caramelized Onion Panini — Deli bought corned beef warmed through in our Bordelaise Sauce and topped with caramelized onions and ciabatta roll before being toasted on a panini press. Doesn’t get more simple than that.
- Stuffed Portobello Caps — Our Sauce Champignon adds a special touch to these stuffed Portobello mushroom caps. Then topping them with smoked gouda cheese puts these over the top. Note — you can substitute cremini or button mushrooms to be more finger food like. You can find the recipe here https://www.bottledthyme.com/copy-of-master-recipe-page-10
- Chicken & Brie Sliders — You can use either left over chicken or use deli bought chicken. Simply warm up the chicken with Sauce Robert, and then melt a slice of brie on top before serving on a toasted slider roll.
IN CLOSING
Many of the recipes outlined above can be done ahead of time, most specifically any of the recipes that are done in a crock pot. The sausage for the sandwiches can also be done ahead, sliced down and mixed with the sauce, onions & peppers. Place in a roasting pan, cover with foil and heat up in a 350-degree oven for 12 minutes.
Hosting a party is a great way to build memories while you enjoy watching your favorite team win. Hosting does not need to be stressful. A lot of people want to go all out with decorations and such, but keep in mind that the game and food are going to be the center of attention. Don’t over complicate your life and remember that a little bit of planning can go a really long way.
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