Football + Food = Love!! My Recipe Line-Up For This Season

Hello fellow football lovers!! This post is for ya'll! Our family has been counting down the days until our favorite college team, the Kansas State Wildcats, begins their season.  We're down to the minute now, as they kick-off tonight!  Two of our sons are also playing youth football, so the baseball gear has been packed away, and I'm now tripping over shoulder pads and cleats.  Love that.

I try not to be that mom who is crazy bonkers all over her kids sporting activities. In an effort to keep a reasonable level of self control, I do a lot of emotional "stuffing" at the boys' games, which can be stressful, and which also may be why I've included some special beverage recipes in my list of this season's football faves *winky-wink.* 

Ben and Andrew's team mascot is the cougars and their team colors are green and gold.  I'm thinking about taking the season up a notch in two ways:

1.  Our family will host a team party (I've always wanted to do this!).  Nothing big, just a little BBQ or something simple. I found these free printables online in the perfect team colors that will make the party a little festive:

{Free Party Printables from The 36th Avenue}

2.  I will temporarily lift my personal ban on time consuming, high maintenance beautifying rituals by polishing my nails for the first time since 2001. This photo was my inspiration to let go and let lovely make a come back.

{Game Day Nails from Polish and Pearls}

My love for football began back in college when the Wildcats emerged from being a "no-name" team to a nationally recognized pigskin success.  Actually, that's not entirely true.  My love for the game really began at my first tail-gate party when I discovered the glorious culinary category of Football Food.  Chow down and touchdown are pretty much synonymous in my soul.

Every season I like to search out new recipes to serve our family and friends on game day. For us, that's Saturday, since we're not big pro-ball fans.  College sports are #1 around here.  Here are a few of the goodies I'll be serving up this fall:

With this appetizer recipe collection from The 36th Avenue, I'm bound to find something yummy!

For the cheese lovers - Baked Mozzarella Sticks in Wonton Wrappers from Taste of Home.

Can you ever go wrong with meatballs? Just looking at these Sweet Heat Molasses Meatballs from Oh Bite It makes me hungry!

When the weather gets cool, the kids always beg for a big pot of soup.  I think this recipe for Bacon Corn Bread from Simply delicious is the perfect accompaniment!

Everybody loves a great Mexican dish.  Serve this Mexican Chicken from Genaw.com with some soft tortillas, a little guac and a margarita (recipe below!) for the perfect half-time meal.

This is my #1 must try recipe.  We love spicy food around here, and these Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Jalapenos from The Sweet Life are just the ticket!

What can I say, she had me at Whiskey! 

Whiskey BBQ Sliders from The Pioneer Woman aren't going to let any hungry tummy down!

Okay, cauliflower? For real? Is that what you're thinkin'?? As a lover of buffalo sauce, I'm willing to try anything.  And, since I'm eating gluten-free, these might actually be worth a try! 

Spicy Buffalo Cauliflower from Daydream Kitchen.

If there were ever a peanut butter shortage, my family might actually faint in devastation. This Peanut Butter Football Dip from Crazy for Crust is going to score some big points with my fans!

Every year I make the Caramel Bars recipe that my mother-in-law gave to me when Steve and I got married.  They are THE BEST bar cookie in the universe, people, trust me!

LAST BUT NOT LEAST....

My favorite Mexican restaurant out West serves up a mean Frosty Mexican Bulldog Margarita.  This recipe from Dreamy Blog is easy to reproduce at your own party!

I believe that a Drunken Root Beer Float from Corey Marie would taste mighty fine with those Whiskey BBQ sliders...or with pizza, or nachos, or.....

Who are you cheering for this season??

Do you have a favorite game-day recipe?? 

Please share - pretty please!!