Game Night - Dips, Apps and Grown Up Punches

Score! You are definitely girlfriend status, if he's invited you to watch the game with his friends.  This is your big opportunity to make his friends see what a good wife you'll be. 

So, jump into a tight team shirt and your sexiest low rise jeans, because today is a big day!  Go State!  These game day recipes will have his friends eating out of your hand and asking him "Dude, where can I find a girl like this?"

Important things to keep in mind: 

DON'T talk incessantly through the whole game. Men hate that! 

DO your research on both teams ahead of time so you can say things like "Man that kicker has saved them this season!" 

DON'T get drunk and make an ass of yourself.

DO cozy up to the other girlfriends.

Ladies’ Who Brunch Punch

This punch will be a hit with the ladies!  Just warn them, it's a panty dropper! (So it's really a hit with the guys too.)

• 2 cups of raspberry liquor
• 2 cups of orange liquor
• 1 and ½ cups freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ¼ cup agave nectar (may substitute honey or fine sugar)
• 2 bottles dry Champagne (750 ml each)
• 2 cups of orange juice frozen into decorate ice tray (or you can use one half of an egg carton. Filling the bottom with juice and freezing. Ice cubes will be in cute semi circles.)

• Mix first four ingredients.  Make sure sugar/nectar/honey is dissolved.
• Punch mixture may be stored for up to 12 hours at this stage.
• Before serving, add champagne and OJ cubes. 
• Give it a small stir and enjoy!

Lemon Bourbon Punch

This punch packs a punch and it is a huge hit with men!   If you have a large crowd (over 10 people or BIG drinkers, double this recipe.  Store half in a pitcher in the fridge until you need to use it!)

·        3 cans of seltzer (or 4.5 cups)

·      1 5^th of wild turkey or other bourbon

·      2 cups fresh lemon juice (from about 14 lemons)

·      2 cups sparkling apple juice

·      1 cup Simple Syrup

·      3/4 cup amaretto

·      Ice cubes

·      Garnish: lemon slices

·      Combine seltzer, bourbon, juices, simple syrup, and amaretto in a punch bowl. Fill with ice. Garnish with lemon slices and cherries. If you have time earlier that day or the night before, slice lemons and layer on wax paper. Freeze until time to add to punch.  They will keep things cool and look pretty!

Party Sized Sangria - Easy

You can easily cut this recipe in half for a smaller group.  This catered to a party of 15 with no problem!

•  8 liters of  red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Rioja, Zinfandel, Shiraz)  (= 2 giant jugs or  about 6 bottles) 
•  3 Lemons cut into wedges
•  3  Orange cut into wedges
•  3  Lime cut into wedges
•  4 Tbls Agave Syrup
• 1/2 cup orange juice or lemonade
•  1 cup triple sec  
•   2  Cups frozen  strawberries  
•  1 Small can of diced pineapples (with juice)  or 1/2 cup fresh pineapple diced 
•  6-8  Cups ginger ale

Pour wine into a large pitcher and squeeze the juice wedges from the lemon, orange and lime into the wine. Toss in the fruit wedges (leaving out seeds if possible) and pineapple then add agave syrup, orange juice and gin. Chill overnight. Add ginger ale and berries before serving.   (Remember that the best Sangrias are chilled around 24 hours in the fridge.)

Upside Down Taco Salad - Easy

No one loves dipping a chip into something more than my husband.  He loves this concoction and you can make it reasonably low(er) fat. 

• 8 oz low fat sour cream
• 1 to 2 Tbsp seasoning salt
• 1/2 lb ground turkey (lean)
• 1 envelope taco seasoning
• 2 cups shredded lettuce
• 1 cup diced tomato
• 1 cup shredded reduced fat Mexican cheese (can substitute jack/cheddar)
• taco sauce for garnish

                                                                       

• Add seasoning salt to sour cream and stir until blended, start with 1 Tbsp and add more to taste.  Spread onto large round serving platter.  Mixture should be about ¼ in thick.  Refrigerate.
• Brown turkey and drain.  Add taco seasoning according to directions on packet.  Turn heat off so meat is not HOT.  Above room temperature is okay.
• To assemble your salad, start with your sour cream platter.  Top with turkey meat in an even layer. 
• Top with lettuce, tomato and cheese.
• Sprinkle taco sauce over top
• Serve with a side of tortilla chips (scoops or restaurant style)

Corn Dip - Easy

I usually double this recipe.  Folks clean the plate every time!  It's easy and hey, who doesn't like corn?!

• 2 packages of cream cheese (reduced fat)
• 2 cans of yellow corn
• 2 cans of white corn
• 2 cans of Rotel (original or HOT depending on preference)
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Drain corn and rotel in colander.  Mix and pour into deep 9x13 casserole dish.  Sprinkle the top with chili and garlic powders.  Dot cream cheese on the top.  Bake for 15 and remove from oven and stir until cheese is smooth.  Return to oven for 15 minutes or until bubbly. Serve with tortilla scoops.