Fall means football season and no one loves their football more than all the 12s of Seahawk Nation. And we all know that Skittles are a fave treat among all the Seahawk die-hards, especially when Beast Mode plows into the end-zone – TOUCHDOWN!
Personally, I am a BIG Skittles lover so let’s get creative. Start first with a toast with my Skittles-infused boozy shots. Yes, I have a recipe for this – don’t judge!
Who’s ready for a shot at the end zone? Vodka – Skittles – Jäger…
Now let’s talk game day recipes with some Pacific Northwest flair! Start with some tasty appetizers like my Warm Alaskan Crab, Mushroom & Brie Dip, perfect served up on easy to make thyme crostini. Next on the line up are Mini Scallion Biscuits with Smoked Salmon Spread and Bacon Tillamook Cheddar Deviled Eggs to nibble on between downs.
Who’s ready for my Warm Alaskan Crab, Mushroom & Brie Dip?
Photo by Kathy Casey Food Studios®.
My Bacon Tillamook Cheddar Deviled Eggs!
Photo from D’Lish Deviled Eggs.
For something heartier, look no farther than a bowl of my Stadium Apple Chili made with Washington apples and some local beer of course!
Make your next game day d’ish and don’t forget to let me know some of your favorite game day bites. Go hawks! –Kathy
Skittles Shots
This recipe easily doubles. ….. don’t judge, just laugh!
Makes 8 shots
1 package (2.17 oz) original Skittles
1 cup vodka
1/2 cup Jägermeister
In a mason jar, add the Skittles then measure in vodka and Jägermeister. Stir vigorously then cover. Let sit for at least 1 hour or overnight depending on how much you love Skittles.
When ready to serve, pour 2 ounces into a shaker tin, add ice and shake. Strain into 2 shot glasss and add a Skittle for garnish.
Created by Kathy Casey Food Liquid Kitchen®.
Warm Crab, Mushroom & Brie Dip with Fresh Thyme & Sea Salt Crostini
Dungeness crab meat is tasty but also pricy. Try purchasing Alaska King Crab legs and picking the meat out. It’s easy to do by using a pair of clean scissors to open up the legs. Then just give the meat a very coarse chop to cut it into 1/2 inch pieces.
Dip can be prepared up to 2 days in advance if using very fresh crab and baked when your guests are just starting to arrive. Easy to make Fresh Thyme & Sea Salt Crostini bake at the same oven temperature to make things easy!
Makes about 6 cups — serves about 12 – 24 people
1 small (8 oz wt.) wheel brie cheese
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2 tsp. olive oil
1 cup thinly sliced onion
2 cups thinly sliced crimini mushrooms
2 tsp. minced fresh garlic
1/2 cup dry sherry
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1 1/2 cups mayonnaise (Note: do not use reduced-fat or fat-free, I like to use Best Foods in this recipe)
3 cups (about 10 oz. wt.) shredded, high-quality parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp. Tabasco
1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup thinly sliced green onion
1/4 cup minced sweet red bell pepper (optional)
1/2 cup minced celery
3/4 lb crab meat, drained well (about 2 1/2 cups drained), see note above
Garnish: Minced fresh parsley
Fresh Thyme & Sea Salt Crostini, (recipe follows)
Cut the brie cheese into 1/2” pieces, set aside and then let come to room temperature.
Meanwhile, heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook stirring often till half cooked, about 4 minutes. Add the mushrooms and continue cooking until the onions are very soft and the mushrooms are tender, about 4 minutes. Then add the garlic and sherry and continue cooking until the sherry is completely reduced about 8 minutes. (There should not be any liquid left.) Set aside to cool.
Place the room temperature brie in a mixer with a paddle attachment. Mix on medium-high speed for about 1 minute or until the cheese softened. Scrape down the sides of the bowl then add half of the mayonnaise. Mix for 3 more minutes on medium-high speed. Add the remaining mayonnaise, parmesan, Tabasco and lemon juice. Mix together on medium speed until well mixed, about 1 minute.
Remove bowl from mixer and fold-in the cooled mushroom mixture, green onion, pepper, celery and crab meat – being careful not to break up the crab meat. Do not over mix.
Place dip in a 7-inch x 11-inch baking dish, or 2 quart or ovenproof serving dish. Smooth out but do not compact it. (Dip can be covered and refrigerated up to 1 day at this point.)
When ready to serve dip, place in a 400-degree F. pre-heated oven. Bake for about 15 – 20 minutes or until dip just starts to bubble around the edges, is heated through and the cheese is melted. (Be careful not to overcook) If desired, sprinkle with minced fresh parsley. Serve immediately with Fresh Thyme & Sea Salt Crostini, or rustic flat bread or crackers.
Fresh Thyme & Sea Salt Crostini
Crostini are the must-have party basic. Use as a base for assorted toppers, such as creamy cheeses, tapenade, or spreads.
Makes 24 – 32 pieces
1 baguette
3 Tbsps. olive oil
2 tsp. minced fresh thyme
1 tsp. minced fresh garlic
1/2 tsp. sea salt
Pre-heat an oven to 400 degrees F.
Cut the baguette with a serrated knife into 1/4-inch diagonal slices. Lay out on a baking sheet pan.
In a small bowl, mix together the oil, thyme and garlic. Lightly brush the baguette slices with the herb oil, then sprinkle with salt. Bake for about 10 – 15 minutes, or until just crispy.
Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios® – www.KathyCasey.com
Mini Scallion Biscuits with Smoked Salmon Spread & Pickled Onions
The trick to these tiny fluffy biscuits is not to overhandle the dough: the more you touch it the less fluff you will get. The salmon spread and onions can be made up to two days in advance.
Makes 24 to 28
Pickled Onions
3/4 cup thinly sliced 1 1/2-inch-long pieces red onion
1/4 cup seasoned rice vinegar
Smoked Salmon Spread
1/2 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, at room temperature
3 oz thinly sliced cold-smoked salmon
1/2 tsp. prepared horseradish
2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp. finely minced fresh dill
Biscuits
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. dry mustard
1/4 tsp.freshly ground black pepper
6 Tbsps. cold salted butter, cut into chunks
2 large green onions, white and green parts, minced (about 1/3 cup)
1 Tbsp. minced fresh parsley
3/4 cup milk, plus more as needed
Garnish: 24 to 28 small fresh dill sprigs
Preheat an oven to 425 degrees F.
In a small bowl, toss the onion and vinegar together. Cover and set aside to marinate for at least 30 minutes. Keep refrigerated until ready to use. Drain the onions before using.
To make the salmon spread: In a food processor, combine the cream cheese and half of the salmon and process until smooth. Add the horseradish and lemon juice, and process, scraping down the sides as necessary, until smooth. Add the dill and process until incorporated.
Transfer the spread to a small bowl. Finely chop the remaining salmon and stir it into the spread until evenly distributed. The salmon spread can be made up to 2 days in advance, and refrigerated, covered. Bring to room temperature before serving.
To make the biscuits: In a large bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, salt, dry mustard, and pepper. With a pastry blender or two knives, cut in the butter, or rub it in with your fingers, until the size of small peas. Stir in the green onions and parsley. With a fork, lightly stir in enough milk to make a soft dough. (Start with 3/4 cup milk, then add more only as needed, 1 tablespoon at a time.) Take care not to overmix the dough.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Lightly pat out to 3/4-inch thickness, handling the dough as little as possible. Sprinkle the dough lightly with flour. Cut into 24 to 28 rounds with a 1 1/2-inch biscuit cutter. (Do not twist the cutter when cutting the dough.) Place the biscuits, with sides touching, on an ungreased baking sheet.
Bake for about 14 to 16 minutes, until golden. Remove from the oven and let cool on the pan for about 10 minutes.
To assemble: Split the biscuits in half horizontally. Spread the biscuit bottoms with about 1 rounded teaspoonful of the salmon spread, and top the spread with a little of the drained pickled onion and a dill sprig. Arrange the biscuits on a serving platter, replace the top halves of the biscuits, slightly askew, and serve immediately.
Recipe from Kathy Casey Sips & Apps, Chronicle Books.
Bacon Cheddar Deviled Eggs
Eggs, bacon, cheese … they go hand in hand. I like to use local Northwest Tillamook cheddar for some local flair.
Makes 24
1 dozen hard-cooked eggs
Filling
3 Tbsps. mayonnaise
3 Tbsps. sour cream
1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard (optional)
1 tsp. minced fresh garlic
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup finely grated sharp cheddar cheese, such as Tillamook
Topping
1/4 cup finely chopped crisp-cooked bacon
2 Tbsps. very thinly sliced green onion
Freshly ground black pepper
Halve the eggs lengthwise and transfer the yolks to a mixing bowl. Set the egg white halves on a platter, cover, and refrigerate.
With a fork, mash the yolks to a smooth consistency. Add the mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, if using, garlic, salt, and pepper, and mix until smooth. (You can also do this in a mixing bowl with a whip attachment.) Stir in the cheddar until evenly mixed in.
Spoon the mixture into a pastry bag fitted with a large plain tip, then pipe the mixture evenly into the egg white halves. Or fill the eggs with a spoon, dividing the filling evenly.
To make the topping, in a small bowl, mix the bacon and green onion. Top each egg half with about 3/4 teaspoon of the mixture, and then sprinkle with black pepper.
Recipe from D’Lish Deviled Eggs by Kathy Casey, Andrews McMeel Publishing.
Stadium Apple Chili
Fuji apples are incredible. Not only do they have a wonderfully clean, sweet flavor, but their cooked texture is amazingly firm. A great shape-holder! You’ll be a true Fuji fan when you try this recipe!
Vegetarian Friendly Version: Substitute 1 pound peeled, 1″ cubed winter squash (such as Hubbard or pumpkin) for meats and an apple juice and vegetable broth mixture for beef broth.
Makes 7 cups
2 Fuji apples or other firm cooking apple
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
8 oz wt. coarse ground beef (chili grind)
4 oz wt. hot pork sausage
12 oz wt. boneless pork butt, cut in 3/4″ – 1″ cubes
1 cup diced onion
1/2 cup diced green pepper
1 Tbsp. minced fresh garlic
1/4 cup chili powder
1 Tbsp. dry whole oregano
1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/8 – 1/4 tsp. red chili flakes, (optional)
1 cup beef broth
1 cup beer
1 can (14 1/2 oz) diced tomatoes in puree
2 cans (15 oz ea.) pinto beans, drained
1 cans (15 oz) kidney beans, drained
1/2 – 1 tsp. salt, more or less to taste
Chili Toppers
grated apple
grated cheddar cheese
sour cream
thinly sliced green onion
Peel, core and dice the apples into 1/2″ cubes. Set aside.
Meanwhile, heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high to high heat. Add the meats, stir occasionally and cook till meats are browned and no juice remains.
Add onions, peppers, garlic, chili powder and spices. Stir in well, and cook stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes, being careful not to scorch chili powder.
Add beef broth, beer and tomatoes. Combine well and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for about 15 minutes.
Add apples and beans and return to a simmer, cover and cook for about 20 minutes or until meat and apples are tender. Season with salt to taste. (Note: If chili gets too thick, add water as needed during cooking.)
Serve with Chili Toppers of your choice.
Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios® – www.KathyCasey.com
