TOUCHDOWN! š ššš
Before I pretend I’m a guy who’s a huge football fan, let me set something straight – the big Game Day is fast approaching and that means two things to me:
1. Watching dudes in tight pants tackle each other
2. Eating some seriously indulgent and incredible food while watching dudes in tight pants tackle each other
I mean, you really can’t go wrong. And no matter which team you’re rooting for, at the end of the day, it’s about GREAT company and GREAT eats (BONUS if your team wins).
Nevertheless, I’ve put together a menu of items suitable for the best eating day of the year!:
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Appetizers
Onion Rings
Do you ever crave the crispiest, crunchiest, smoothest beer-battered onion rings? This is the be all, end all of onion ring recipes right here. Just you wait.
Divine Dill Pickle Dip
I know. The name may throw some people off, but don’t let that fool you. For once you’ve set the stage by putting this addicting dip out, you’ll be complimented non-stop by the pickle lovers and it will serve as a taste of all the great things to follow!
Spinach & Artichoke Dip
This classic dip needs no introduction. In fact, you’ll find it on the menu at just about any Americana-style restaurant (and at the novelty chains galore). So why not make the ultimate one for your friends and family? Indulgent. Addicting. Full of cheesy, creamy, green-y goodness!
Cheddar Popovers
Popovers are the soufflĆ© of bread rolls. Theyāre crunchy/flaky on the outside and warm, soft and buttery on the insideā¦and theyāre TOTAL DIVAS! BUT, theyāre also SUPER easy to make! Make them as soon as the guests arrive or serve at the dinner table or for breakfast the next day! No matter when they’re served, they will be loved!
Horseradish Deviled Eggs
I love putting out some deviled eggs with a spread before any meal! These babies are DY-NO-MITE! Such a little crowd pleaser because they arenāt only adorable to look at and pop in your mouth, they also taste absolutely AWESOME! Maybe itās that Goldās horseradish mixed with the creaminess of some fluffy, mayo-infused egg yolks but this is one that will go fast so make plenty and use these awesome egg caddies (especially if traveling and taking them to someone elseās house)!
Mexican Street Corn
Not only is this so incredibly delicious and crazy easy to make, it will be on your plate in 10 minutes from the moment you begin cooking. The perfect appetizer to any meal.
Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
Everyone who’s made my hummus has said it is so much better than any store bought AND it’s WAY healthier than cream-based dips. Perfect as a starter dip to welcome your guests!
Southern Boiled Peanuts
PERFECT for a game day! Give ’em a try – they’re salty, they’re spicy and they’ll be passed around quicker than a football.
Soups
Chili
This is one of my most recent recipes and people are already losing their minds over how amazing it is (as well as many office chili cook-off competitions won)! Give it a shot and see what all the fuss is about (but remember, Chili usually always tastes better the next day once the flavors have cooled and melded in the fridge before reheating)!
Beer Cheese Soup
If there is ANY trifecta that screams football, it’s beer, cheese, and soup. And when you combine them into one, it’s a touchdown all around!
New England Clam Chowder
This will very likely be one of the best clam chowders you’ve ever slurped, if not THE best. It will be perfect to serve in SUPER sourdough bread bowls!
Creamy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons
Maybe it’s the fact that even tomato haters can’t get enough. Maybe it’s those unforgettable grilled cheese croutons. Whatever it is, it’s a smash hit and will get your table off to the right start! Easily my favorite tomato soup of all time!
Gumbo
When this recipe came out, it received a LOT of attention. Some fine Creoles & Cajuns both embraced and shunned it. But at the end of the day, I received a TON of messages from people who tried it who said it was the BEST Gumbo they’ve ever had (and yes, this includes a few of the shunners who caved in and gave it a try). THIS WILL BE A HUGE HIT!
Pastas
Mac & Cheese
This American icon needs no introduction – just some hungry mouths to give it love. Simply the best of the best and SO EASY to make – it’s no wonder it got me hooked on the Instant Pot in the first place!
Magical Macaroni Salad
This loaded macaroni salad takes it to the next level and is SO easy to make (not to mention, it’s pretty to look at). The perfect companion to those Baby Back Ribs.
Rigatoni Alla Vodka
A crowd favorite, mine is so rich, creamy, tomatoey and cheesy that it’ll pretty much make you never want a different Alla Vodka again. Goes perfect as a side dish or on its own!
Linguine with White Clam Sauce
This is not only one of my most popular dishes because it tastes so magically out of this world, but it’s crazy easy to make! I guarantee you, the happiest of pasta (and clam) lovers will be on cloud nine after just one twirl of this pasta!
Tortellini Alfredo
If you feel like making a REALLY indulgent pasta, then Mamma Mia, is this the one for you! This is a rich and creamy Alfredo that is done beautifully with pillows stuffed with a protein of your choice (be it chicken, sausage or cheese). And after enjoying it, lovers of this classic dish are going to soon realize it’s not only their stockings that are stuffed!
Mains
Sour Cream & Onion Chicken
Picture Sour Cream & Onion Potato Chips. Now picture your favorite onion dip. Then picture juicy chicken cutlets. Combine them and I’ve just given you a dish that will be tackled the second it’s presented.
Baby Back Ribs
Not only are these one of my most popular recipes, they are also so fall-off-the-bone tender and full of a hickory flavor, your guests will think you smoked them for hours.
Steak Tidbits
Easily one of my most popular and requested recipes. But then again, when you combine cuts of tender beef layered over garlic bread and smothered in an outrageously tangy homemade BBQ sauce with melted cheese, it’s not much of a surprise everyone makes it over and over again!
Meatball Heroes Parmigiana
You know you’ve made some top-form meatballs when your Italian best friend claims they’re some of the best she’s ever had. These classic Italian beauties are SO EASY to make and SO FULL of outrageous flavor, this one is perfect to either make into a MEGA hero SMOTHERED in melted provolone/mozzarella/whatever cheese you love OR on their own!
Shrimp Boil
Another recipe that is literally a dump-it-in-the-pot and relax while having a few cocktails or beers. Once that lid comes off and you dig into this treasure, you’ll be hooked on it for life.
French Onion Chicken
Ah, my French Onion Chicken. Not only is it one of my most popular recipes, it’s also gone mega-viral within the Instant Pot world! EVERYONE is making it and EVERYONE is loving it. But don’t take my word for it, try it for yourself. Sheer perfection.
Collards & Black-Eyed Peas
These Southern staples are some of the best sides dishes that goes along with basically anything – or even standalone. Dress ’em up properly and you’ll hear cheers across the board.
Lobster Rolls
Not only will you be able to make Lobster Rolls in your Instant Pot, but you’ll be making some of the best ones you’ve ever sunk you teeth into. Pairs as a wonderful follow-up to my New England Clam Chowder.
Desserts
Best Banana Pudding
So this INCREDIBLE dessert is not only my most popular recipes, but it also requires ZERO cooking (that’s right – you can give your Instant Pot a break for this one)! Whenever I make this, people fall into food ecstasy and the whole thing is gone within a matter of minutes. You should also check out this perfect and portable trifle bowl to make it in!
Apple Crumble
This All-American dessert FULL of soft apples entrenched in a rich and gooey caramel-maple sauce is one of my most popular requests! Serve it after ANY meal with heaping scoops of vanilla ice cream and extra caramel sauce – especially with the Baby Back Ribs to keep in line with that American theme.
Bread Pudding with Bourbon Glaze
It’s hard to resist this. It really is. So DON’T! This bread pudding is so easy to serve and is super moist thanks to the cooking of it in a bundt pan. Great for portion control as this is one SUPER decadent dessert! And that bourbon glaze we’ll cascade over the bread pudding in the final step just sets everything over the edge!
Pineapple Upside Down Cake
A cake so moist, so pineapple-y and SO flavorful with a brown butter sauce cascading over the top, your eyes may roll back in pure bliss. Serve this one up right after the Polynesian Pineapple Chicken (or any meal).
Bananas Foster
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TOUCHDOWN! There you have it!
These are also only a sliver of options I have to offer with MANY, MANY more equally awesome and easy ones at pressureluckcooking.com!
Now HUT. HUT. COOK!
-Jeffrey
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