It's that time of year again, that football season is about to start! WE LOVE FOOTBALL in our home! One of our favorite things to do on game day ( which is Sunday obviously) is to enjoy the afternoon with a spread of summer sausage, cheese, and a veggie tray (cucumbers, celery, carrots for hubs and kids, w/ Ranch dip). WHAT ELSE is there that I can serve that is easy, and can possibly either be partially prepped ahead of time or cooked in the crockpot since we dont' get out of church until kick off?! What are YOUR favorites?

Well, we have made the parmesan chicken chunks -- based on the "heroin wings" recipe but we use a blend of powdered and shredded parm/romano and 'italian herbs' rather than just parsley. (angel wings might be another name - search here in the kitchen forum) We just cut boneless skinless breasts into 2-bite size chunks instead. They can be made in advance, stored, then put on a cookie or jelly tray a reheated a bit in the oven. Dip 'em in ranch. A filling pure-protein snack. Probably other kinds of spicy-wings or something you could do.

Cream-cheese rollups, with deli meats, or pesto, or whatever you like, are good. Some make them in sliced meat but if you guys can eat low-carb tortillas, best to do it in those and then slice it into lots of little spiral rounds.

Spinach, artichoke or crab dip for the crudites

Buffalo shrimp with ranch or blue cheese....or spiced shrimp or shrimp cocktail

oh, and these portabello "skins" are great!
http://www.~~~~~~~~~~~.com/girls/bi...s.php?isid=1018

of course, you can swap full fat cheese, etc....

wings are typical football fare in my family. could you put those in the crock pot? you could also make some "crackers" ahead of time. i've been big on the mock wheat thins (1 c almond flour, 1 egg white, ranch popcorn seasoning and some parm cheese, mixed well, rolled thin and baked until crispy) lately with cheese.

**disclaimer: i don't like chicken on the bone, so i have never eaten wings and have no idea how to cook them

Deli turkey, spread with boursin cheese spread, toped with roasted red pepper strip, rolled up. Salami or large pepperonis spread with cream cheese.