Are You Ready For Some Football? Ahem...Food!?!?

Deflategate...Lynch's Fines (Why don't they just leave him alone!)...Puppy Mills....Drama!

None of the drama surrounding the Super Bowl will stop the game from being played on Sunday night. People have ordered their wings and pizza. Fans are flocking to Party City to purchase matching plates and napkins for their "favorite" team. Mind you, a lot of people are rooting for one side or the other by default because their team will be sitting at home watching on Sunday.  I am in that boat because I am a NY Giants fan. I will not speak on what I think needs to be done with the roster to make things better because that is for a different rant on a different day, but I will say that I am rooting for the Seattle SeaHawks. I am not a bandwagon jumper, I am just a proud supporter of Russell Wilson a Virginian who graduated from  Collegiate School in Richmond, VA. He is unapologetically Christian, devotes himself to community service, and can throw a mean Hail Mary!

Go 'Hawks!

With all of that said let's get the menu planned out for Sunday. Here are some yummy traditional and non-traditional ways to keep your guests' tummies happy no matter which way the ball bounces.

Wings
"I hate wings," said no one ever! So, if you don't want to order from Buffalo Wild Wings (if you do order try Jammin' Jalapeno, you'll thank me) you can make your own.

To prep frozen wings, leave them in the bag but place them in a pan or in a plastic container in the refrigerator Saturday to thaw. On Sunday, you'll need to rinse you wings in a colander and let them rest on paper towel to soak up the excess water.

Please buy a Fry Daddy. If you order one by tomorrow at noon from Amazon, you will have it Saturday!

You will need some cooking oil. Canola is what I use. About an hour before you guests arrive, heat your oil (8 minutes) and cook your chicken. Do not bread your chicken. If you'd like to bake your chicken, that will work too if you put a little olive oil on the bottom of the pan.

Cook your chicken until floating and golden. Set them to the side to drain. I like to use the microwave bacon cooker, but a colander lined with paper towel will work.  

Five minutes before your guest arrive, toss your chicken wings in a covered plastic container with a cup of your favorite wing sauce. You have your pick at the grocery store or your favorite wing place. Serve with plenty of ranch and blue cheese. Try this if dare: purchase ranch dressing, add blue cheese crumbles and red pepper flakes. Pow!

Nachos

A bag of tortilla chips, shredded cheese (Mexican blend), a can of nacho cheese, ground turkey, sour cream, Pace Picante Sauce (I prefer HOT). Done!

Brown the ground turkey and sprinkle in black pepper, Lawry's Seasoned Salt, and chili powder. 

Spread the chips on a cookie sheet and layer on the cheese and meat. 

Heat the nacho cheese (not cheez whiz) using directions on the can.

Cook chips on broil (500 degrees) until the cheese has melted. Pull the pan out the oven, drizzle with hot nacho cheese.

In separate containers put sour cream, picante sauce, and guac if you'd like. You can also add beans to the nachos before putting them in the oven, but please plug some Febreeze NOTICEables in the vicinity.

Chili

Since you have the Febreeze pumping, you might as well throw together a quick pot of chili.

If you buy a huge container of ground turkey, you'll be all set. Use a third for your nachos and the rest in your chili.

You'll need the Del Monte Chili-Ready Tomatoes (3 cans), Petite Diced Tomatoes (1 large can), red kidney beans (2 large cans), and browned ground turkey.

Cook the turkey the same as above. Dump all of your ingredients in a large crock pot.  You'll need to add a thickening agent. In a cup, add a cup of hot water from the tap and add 2 tablespoons of flour. Stir until smooth. Stir the flour mixture into the chili. Let the chili cook for no less than an hour. The longer you cook, the more people won't want to leave! That good!

Seafood

Wow your guest with a seafood spread. In honor of New England, include some lobster tacos (lobster meat, mayo, and Old Bay wrapped in a tortilla), crab cakes (lump crab meat, mayo, dijon mustard, Old Bay, egg, cracker meal and pan fry), fried oysters (milk/egg wash, cracker meal and deep fry), and spiced shrimp (frozen or fresh, STEAM after sprinkling with seafood seasoning) to your menu. Mussels, clams, and shrimp in white wine butter sauce over pasta can also be a tasty treat for the taste buds.

Finger Food

Lastly, take your favorite foods and make them finger foods. You love baked mac and cheese? Well prepare mini mac and cheesies in muffin pans. You love Chinese food? Go to your favorite spot and order egg rolls and your favorite meals. Cut the egg rolls in half and portion out a meat-based meal in fillo cups. Serve sticky rice in balls or sushi to complete the effect!  Get playful. Chips and dip...boring. Get a bunch of different flavored chips and mix them up!

Need more detailed recipes? Please ask in the comments below or on Twitter @akagia.

It's Time to "Fall" in Love!

It is amazingly easy to meet new people in the summer. Everyone is traveling, and you can strike up conversation with complete strangers on a plane or in an out-of-town restaurant. But, now that fall is in full swing, the usual routine is solidified once again...or is it? If you are looking to find a sweetie in time for winter snuggling, this is the definitive list just for you.

1. Sports Bars - Have you heard that it is football season? On any given Thursday, Saturday or Sunday, sports bars and grills are filled with men. Take your pick! If you are not an avid football fan, you must know at least a little about the game.  You don't want to be conspicuously clueless, but be willing to learn. This will be a definite ego booster for a man who can be your personal instructor.  If you are genuinely into football, even better. Wear you team's colors proudly and be ready for some cute trash talk.  Don't be too much like one of the guys, but balance your love of the sport with you love of being feminine.  You can do it!

2. Harvest Festivals (Any festivals come to think of it!) - Fall brings all types of festivals, and with the weather becoming more crisp, bad hair days are gone.  Most festivals will bring out the family set, so be meticulous about which ones you chose to find a cutie to flirt with.  Anything with face painting may not be your festival of choice.  "Oktoberfests" and music festivals will usually draw a more mature crowd.  And, never pass up a wine tasting! If you can find a cognac tasting in your area, you will hit pay dirt! 

3. Lunch Break - Now that everyone is back from vacations, you can do a tour of area restaurants during your lunch break.  Pick one or two eateries to try each week with coworkers or solo.  You are guaranteed to meet someone new in no time.

4. Homecoming - Yes, you should attend your homecoming. No, you do not have to lose 100 pounds in two months. Maybe, just maybe, you'll either rekindle an old friendship or meet someone new.

5. Coffee Shops - New flavors, new treats, who knows who you'll meet!  Pumpkin, nutmeg, cinnamon, and all things yummy pop up in coffee shops. You're not the only one who will stop in to get limited time fare. That special someone may just have a taste for a latte the morning you pop in after reading this list.

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6. Amusement Parks - If you are not the faint at heart, you should try amusement park Halloween transformations.  You’ll be running for your life from chainsaw wielding mad men! You’ll need someone to save you, so keep a lookout for single fellows to the rescue.  The thrill of it all will help you bond with your new acquaintance.  

7. Volunteer - The fall brings about opportunities to pack food trucks, sort canned goods from food drives, and other altruistic endeavors leading up to the holidays.  Strong arms and caring hearts of available men will be involved. You can help feed the hungry while satisfying your own man hunger!

There are many more places to go and meet new people, but these seven will be a good start.  The key is to stay on the move. Don't slump back in the house because the days are getting shorter and colder.  Take advantage of the events and activities unique to this time of year.  By this winter, you'll be cozied up by the fire with your new sweetie thinking about how wonderful a fall you had. Will you plan a summer wedding?