Women love football too, Auntie Babette

     Women Who Love Football

Okay ladies, football season is about to kick off.  A lot of people may be surprised but there are women who love football just as much as the guys.  The reasons vary from one end of the field to the other; so I asked some of my female coworkers their opinion of the game and this is what I found.

” I like watching the strategy between the offense and defense”

”It gives me a connection with my husband and sons”

“Could care less about the game, the main event is the great food”

“No secret, I like to watch the cute guys in tight pants”

Watching the game allows us to make an ordinary day an exciting day and is always a great excuse to get together with friends.  

             One of my favorite times of the season is when the team players wear pink gloves, shoes, etc. during October for Breast Cancer Awareness month.  Way-to-go guys!

             Football has the ability to entertain and unite so many people regardless of age or gender which could be one of the reasons that it is one of the great American pastimes.

Now let’s touch down on one of the universal appeals to the season – FOOD.  It wouldn’t be a party without celebratory snacks, so I’ve listed a few of my favorites below.

Porky Pig Nacho Dip

My version of the classic cheese dip, with a twist.  Perfect for game day, and feeding a hungry crowd.

Ingredients

·         1 lb. Velveeta cheese, cubed

·         1 lb. shredded pork loin (I prepare this the day before in a slow cooker)

·         2  14 oz. cans diced tomatoes with green chilies , drained

·         1 cup pinto beans, rinsed and drained  

·         1  tablespoon taco seasoning mix

·         2 tablespoons (or more), chopped jalapeno pepper

·         1/2 cup sour cream

·         1/4 cup green onion, diced

Directions

Place first 6 ingredients in a slow cooker. Leave out the sour cream and green onion until the last 30 minutes.

Cook on low for at least 1 1/2 hours.  I start mine in the morning and leave it cooking until game time.

Don’t forget to stir in the sour cream and green onions about 30 minutes before serving.

Serve with nacho chips.

Cooking Tip: 

Double the pork loin in the slow cooker.  After it’s ready, shred and freeze family size potions in Ziploc freezer bags to prepare quick meals for easy week night dinners.

Southern Florida Sliders

Hot and ready out of the oven, these sliders are a snap to make.

Ingredients

·         ½ lb. thin sliced deli ham

·         ½ lb. thin sliced deli turkey

·         8 slices Swiss cheese

·         8 slices American cheese

·         1 package of Hawaiian dinner rolls (24 rolls)

·         1 jar dill pickles

·         ¼ cup melted butter

·         3 Tablespoons yellow mustard

·         1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions

·         Preheat oven to 325ºF

·         In a small dish, melt butter, mustard, and garlic powder together for the topping.  Set aside for now

·         Remove rolls from package (don’t pull them apart), slice lengthwise and place bottom half on a lightly greased 9x13 baking sheet

·          Layer with ham, American Cheese, turkey, Swiss cheese then pickles

·         Place other half of rolls on top

·         Brush top liberally with melted butter mixture

·         Cover with foil, bake for 10-15 minutes

·         Remove foil and bake another 10 minutes or until lightly browned

·         Remove from oven and serve warm

Both recipes go well with ice cold beer or frozen margaritas.  
What party would be complete without cold beverages?

Ladies - Tell me your reasons for why you like football and your favorite game-day foods.  Ask your friends their opinion.  I had a lot of fun, and some laughs asking my friends.