Swap Up for Big Game Day
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(<a href="http://www.familyfeatures.com">Family Features</a>) Chicken wings, guacamole, and cheesy dips are America’s top choices for most Big Game day menus, but the same recipes year after year can get tiring. Forget the same-old spread and surprise your guests with a little more taste and pizazz this year.
Put these tips into play for a winning combination your team can celebrate.
<strong>Swap Up with Sausage.</strong> Transform typical dishes, by swapping sausage into recipes, such as chili and nachos, which typically incorporate ground beef. The built-in flavor lends great taste and convenience to these dishes. Instead of chips and queso, add brat sausage to your nachos to make brat-chos. Or give this MVP Chili recipe a try!
<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">MVP Chili</span></strong><strong>:</strong>
<div align="left"><img src="http://www.culinary.net/images/300-300/projects/13043-MVP-Chili-embed.jpg" width="475" height="368" /></div>
<strong><em>Ingredients:</em></strong>
<ul><li>2 packages of Johnsonville Hot Italian Sausage Links (use mild links for less spicy chili)<br /></li><li>1 large onion<br /></li><li>3 cloves garlic, minced<br /></li><li>2 tablespoons chili powder (use mild chili powder for less spicy chili)<br /></li><li>1/4 teaspoon cumin<br /></li><li>1 bottle (12 ounces) dark beer (OK to substitute light beer or 1 cup beef stock)<br /></li><li>1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes<br /></li><li>2 tablespoons tomato paste<br /></li><li>1 can (15.5 ounces) red kidney beans<br /></li><li>1 can (15.5 ounces) black beans<br /></li><li>1-1.5 cups corn (frozen or fresh off the cob)<br /></li><li>salt and pepper</li></ul>
<strong><em>Directions:</em></strong>
<ol><li>De-case sausage and sauté in large pot; use wooden spoon to crumble sausage as it cooks.</li><li>Once sausage is nicely browned, stir in onion, garlic, chili powder and cumin and continue cooking until onion softens, about 5 minutes.</li><li>Add beer and allow it to simmer for an additional 5 minutes scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan.</li><li>Stir in tomatoes and tomato paste and allow it to simmer, uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes on medium-low, stirring occasionally.</li><li>Taste and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper.</li><li>Finally, stir in beans and corn.</li><li>Let this come to a simmer and it’s ready to serve! (Can be prepared a day ahead.)</li></ol>
<strong>Use Unexpected Ingredients.</strong> Many dips and sides prominently feature the gooey goodness of cheese. Put a fresh spin on these dishes with high-quality, sophisticated options that feature more robust flavors, such as pungent blue cheese, smoked Gouda or tangy goat cheese.
<strong>Sweeten Up Your Spread.</strong> To mix in sweet with the savory options, find a spot on the table for some fresh fruit flavor. Favorites such as fruit salad, fruit pizza or fruit kabobs can make for a delectable treat to accompany the rest of your game-day fare.
<strong>Mix it Up</strong>. Smoky flavors and bourbon are trending upward in kitchens, backyards, bars and restaurants across the country. Combine the two for a creative spin to your beverage spread. Seep Johnsonville Fully Cooked Smoked Brats in bourbon for about a day to extract smoky and savory flavors, and mix the bourbon for a modern twist on the Manhattan cocktail.
<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Smokey Sausage Manhattan:</span></strong>
<div align="left"><img src="http://www.culinary.net/images/300-300/projects/13043-Smokey-Sausage-Man..." width="475" height="315" /></div>
<strong><em>Ingredients:</em></strong>
<ul><li>2 ounces Sausage-Infused Bourbon<br /></li><li>1 ounces Sweet Vermouth<br /></li><li>1 dash Angostura Bitters<br /></li><li>3 Cherries</li></ul>
<strong><em>Directions:</em></strong>
In ice filled mixing glass, add all ingredients and stir for at least 30 seconds. Strain into martini glass and garnish with 3 cherries on a pick.
<em>Sausage-Infused Bourbon</em>
<ol><li>Cut Johnsonville Fully Cooked Smoked Split Rope Sausage into 1/2-inch slices.</li><li>In glass jar with tight lid (canning jar is ideal) add sliced brat with 6 ounces of bourbon and let sit for 24-48 hours. </li><li>Strain through coffee filter into clean container. </li><li>Discard sliced brats.</li></ol>
Find more creative recipes to spice up your game-day spread at <a href="http://www.johnsonville.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Johnsonville.com</a>.