Host a Chili Cook-off for Game Day!

Are you ready for some football? Get the whole gang together and host a chili cook-off!

Bring a “throwdown” to your tailgate or your kitchen as the competition heats up when guests battle for first place with their best chili recipes. You might even make it an annual event with a "traveling" award that goes from winner to winner each year.

THE HOW-TO: Send out invitations or call your guests to issue the “cook-off” challenge. 

Your guests should bring their best chili concoction in a crock pot or slow cooker. Iinclude printed copies of the recipe to share with other guests, if desired.  

When the guests turn in the chili, number or name it for voting and make up a ballot. Ask everyone to taste and vote for their favorite. Award prizes for first, second, and third place.

Make a condiment station with different types of crackers, Fritos, grated chesses, sour cream, chopped scallions and peppers, chopped onion, Tabasco or other hot sauces, etc.

Find a good spot to set up the bar; make sure it is away from the food to avoid congestion. Bloody Marys are a good choice for this party. Ice down some beer or wine and your bar is set.

Get the game plan for a Bloody Mary bar...

Special thanks to Jim Dandy Cooley Dandy RV Superstore in Alabama for allowing us to use their gorgeous motorcoach for this party!! And if you are heading to the game, you can rent one! 

Labor-Free Labor Day Party Ideas: One Pot Seafood Boil

Hey everyone! I just got back from a great weekend in Charleston with friends and am inspired to try a little Lowcountry cuisine for Labor Day. A Lowcountry Boil is what's on my mind. It's the end of the summer so I want my party food to be really simple. What could be easier than putting everything in one pot to cook and serve? No labor for this Labor Day party! I love it!

A good boil starts with the freshest seafood. I think you can put just about any kind of shellfish in your pot---- so go to the market and get what is the freshest but traditionally it is made with shrimp and clams. And here in the South- Old Bay Seasoning is a must with shrimp. You can usually find it at the grocery or ask the guy at the fish counter. You can cook your boil on the stove, on the grill or over a fire.

One Pot Lowcountry Boil

5 pounds whole fresh shrimp (in the shell)

3 dozen small clams in shell-optional (make sure the shells are closed when you purchase!)

3 pounds smoked sausage (I like Hilshire Farms Smoked Beef Sausage or Hot Chipotle Smoked Sausage)

3 pounds small red potatoes, skin on-- cut them in half if they are large

3 large white onions, cut in quarters

5 pounds of fresh corn-on-the-cob cut into 4 inch pieces

1/2 stick butter

2 lemons, sliced

6 cloves garlic, finely minced

Old Bay seasoning to taste (add a little at a time)

1 bottle of your favorite beer (optional)

Salt & Pepper to taste

Put the potatoes and onion along with all of the seasonings (garlic, butter, lemon, too)  in a huge stockpot with enough water to cover and add  the beer. Put the lid on and simmer until almost done. Add corn and sausage and simmer until the corn is almost done. Add the shrimp and clams. Cook until the clams just open and  the shrimp turns pink. Don't keep cooking once your seafood is done--- it will get tough.

For patriotic decorations and backyard party games- check out this blog post from Memorial Day! 

You can get tons of great party decorations from Oriental Trading Company and they can still get them to you in time for your Labor Day bash!