Are You Ready For Some Football!

All my rowdy friends are gathering on Super Bowl night! Are you ready for some football?

Super Bowl is coming and I am planning a menu, chiling the beer and getting my friends together. "Cold beer and a big of chips, what more do you need!" asked Bob Cashman. Well, first off, I need the Green Bay Packers to be in the Super Bowl and not the Cardinals. And, I most definitely would serve more than beer and a bag of chips! I love to make appetizers and create a buffet of snacks, desserts and drinks. Here are a few of my favorite, easy-to-make appetizers.

• 

Cashew Dip - Ingredients and Directions:
Combine together in a crock pot; 2 8-ounce packages of cream cheese, 1 cup chopped cashews, 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, 2 tablespoons chili paste,
3/4 cup coconut milk,
1 tablespoon lime juice.

Cook covered on low setting for 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Serve warm or cold with cut up cucumber, celery or crackers.

• Sweet and Sour Meatballs - Ingredients and Directions:

In large bowl combine 2 pounds ground beef (you could also go lighter and use ground chicken) , 1 8-oz can of crushed pineapple, 2 tablespoons soy sauce,
1 cup fine chopped green pepper, 2 fine chopped scallions, 1/4 cup bread crumbs.
Combine together and shape into 1 inch balls. Place on a foil lined baking sheet and broil 6" from the heat for 4-5 minutes, roll over each meatball and than heat for 4-5 minutes.

Remove from rack and put into a crock pot.
In a large bowl whisk together 1 packet of sweet & sour sauce mix, 1/4 cup rice vinegar,
12 oz. pineapple juice, 1/4 cup tomato paste and 1/2 cup apricot preserves. Pour over meatballs and cook on low for 4-6 hours. Stir to coat the meatballs with sauce.

You can prep both of the appetizers the day before and than heat in your crock pot. Don't forget the bags of chip and cold beer. Go Pack Go!! - oh yah, i forgot.... maybe next year?