GAME DAY
MENU
In our family, there are two sounds that always go together on Sunday: the sounds of the Kansas City stadiums roaring with excitement through our TV, and oil popping in a hot skillet. Yes, to my family, the game is exciting, but the enjoyment of this special day is only made better through a delicious spread of game-day food.
Today, we are rolling out the red carpet for the very first game featured on Red Kingdom Reaper. And as a part of the red carpet treatment, some true game-day classics are in order. Here’s the menu for today:
-
Chicken Wings
-
Cheesy Jalapeno Poppers
-
Fudge Brownies
Let’s start with the wings. These bad boys are always welcome in the carnivore’s tailgate party, and for good reason. Not only are they easy to hold in your hands but they are generally a breeze to prepare, depending on your preferred cooking method. In addition, they are extremely customizable to your tastes. Love the taste but not the bone? Go boneless. Want a chicken wing with a little less fat? Throw it on the grill. (The grill also can give the wings a lovely char.) You really can’t go wrong with the flavor selection either. Whether it’s something crazy like sweet honey sriracha or something simple like ranch, you can almost always find one suited for you. Here’s a recipe to get you started:
https://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/crispy-baked-chicken-wings/
On to today’s appetizer, the jalapeno poppers. This one might be my family’s favorite, as they request it every game day. Despite the small amount of extra work needed to prepare the peppers, I think this one’s truly worth the effort. When I split the peppers in half and dispose of the seeds, I load it up with cream cheese and wrap the whole thing in a slice of bacon. Sounds amazing, right? After skewering it with a toothpick, throw it into the oven. Pretty soon, you’ll smell the savory heat and wish they would hurry up already. And if you want, you don’t even have to use jalapenos. If you’re in the mood for something a little stronger, I would recommend habaneros, as they definitely bring the heat despite their smaller size.
Here’s a recipe to get you started:
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/233603/bacon-wrapped-jalapeno-poppers/
For the final game day menu item, you can’t go wrong with rich fudge brownies. Smooth, chocolate-y goodness packed with extra chocolate chips will almost always be a big crowd pleaser. My preferred brownie is really gooey and melts in your mouth, but some people would rather have a brownie that’s a little more firm to the touch. Both kinds however can be paired with a wide variety of ingredients like walnuts, M&M’s, or even potato chips, which give your brownies a salty crunch. You might need to plan this one ahead, however, as most of the brownie recipes I’ve read require a longer baking time. Here’s a recipe to get you started:
I hope that you’ll find these foods as satisfying as I do. Besides, I think it’s better to celebrate a Kansas City win on a full stomach.
Eat well, Kansas City!
Written by Ethan Boothe, Red Kingdom Reaper