Hostess Jo

Simple Football Centerpiece

I just discovered these pictures of the football centerpieces I made for our first game celebration and thought I'd share.  They are good examples of how you can take things from around the house and turn them into party decor easily and inexpensively.

I actually took the football from my Touchdown Lazy Susan and cut floral foam to fit inside it.  I bought an inexpensive bouquet from Publix and divided it between the three.  Voila!  Instant decor for you game entertaining.  Of course the guys don't care about them but I bet your female guests will enjoy them. 

I set mine up outside where I knew my girlfriends and I would be hanging out.

They add just the right amount of football spirit to your everyday decor.

 

Get creative!  Look around your house-I bet you have items you can transform for any occasion!

 
 

Halloween Snack Mix

Serve this festive snack mix at your Halloween party this year!  I love that the blue corn chips look black against the orange Cheetos.

 

Ingredients

• 2-1/2  cups coarsely crushed blue corn chips
• 1  cup corn nuts
• 1  cup raisins
• 1  cup pretzel sticks
• 1  cup canned shoestring potatoes
• 1  cup cheese sticks
• 1/2  cup shelled pistachio nuts or peanuts

Directions

1. Put the crushed corn chips, corn nuts, raisins, pretzel sticks, shoestring potatoes, cheese sticks, and pistachio nuts or peanuts in a serving bowl. Stir to mix with a wooden spoon.

2. To store, place mix in a plastic bag or container; seal or cover tightly. Store in a cool, dry place for up to 2 weeks. Makes sixteen 1/2-cup servings.

(photo from bhg.com)

Celebrate Fall

with Hostess Jo!  Right now get 15% off your entire order with coupon code "Fall".  Only good through October 22, so stock up now for Halloween!

Fancy Poppers

With football season in full swing you might be looking for new snack recipes like I am.  Everyone loves jalapeno poppers, but here is a delightful twist on the fried original.

Grilled Pepper Poppers

 

16 servings (serving size: 2 pepper halves)

Ingredients

• 1/2  cup  (4 ounces) soft goat cheese
• 1/2  cup  (4 ounces) fat-free cream cheese, softened
• 1/2  cup  (2 ounces) grated fresh Parmesan cheese
• 1/2  cup  finely chopped seeded tomato
• 2  tablespoons  thinly sliced green onions
• 2  tablespoons  chopped fresh sage
• 1/2  teaspoon  kosher salt
• 16  jalapeño peppers, halved lengthwise and seeded (about 1 1/2 pounds)
• Cooking spray
• 2  tablespoons  chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation

1. Prepare grill to medium-high heat.

2. Combine first 7 ingredients in a bowl, stirring well. Spoon about 2 teaspoons cheese mixture into each pepper half. Place pepper halves, cheese side up, on grill rack coated with cooking spray. Grill peppers 5 minutes or until bottoms of peppers are charred and cheese mixture is lightly browned. Carefully place peppers on a serving platter. Sprinkle with cilantro.

(photo and recipe from myrecipes.com)

 

Wrap It Up

This Saturday we are having our friends over for the games.  I've been looking for new snack recipes that are more substantial.  Though I love chips and dip, they don't fill you up for very long.  This one looks really good and easy to me.  You could cut them up smaller for appetizer size.  Wish I had one now!

Buffalo Chicken Wraps

 

Prep Time:

10 min

Total Time:

30 min

Makes:

4 servings

 

8 frozen breaded chicken breast strips (3/4 lb.)

1/4 cup  KRAFT Mayo with Olive Oil Reduced Fat Mayonnaise

1 Tbsp. hot pepper sauce

2 cups  shredded lettuce

4 spinach flour tortillas (8 inch)

1   large tomato, chopped

1 cup KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Cheddar Cheese

BAKE chicken as directed on package. Meanwhile, mix mayo and hot pepper sauce until blended.

PLACE lettuce down centers of tortillas; top with chicken, tomatoes and cheese.

DRIZZLE with mayo mixture; roll up.

(photo and recipe from kraftfoods.com)

Update

We're extending our FREE SHIPPING at Hostess Jo through LABOR DAY! 

Be sure to check out our football themed pieces, NEW Halloween goodies and our Harvest section for all of your fall celebrations!  Get them now while shipping is FREE!

Football Season Koozie

 

 

Pick Your Poison Halloween Glass Slippers

 

Let's Connect!

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We are also on Twitter and would love to "see" you there!

 

Are You Ready?

For some football?  I know we are at our house!  My husband has been gearing up for a month.  It's only two weeks away.  Here is a cute little deviled egg recipe perfect for your tailgates or home viewing parties.

 

Makes 10 to 12 servings

Ingredients

• 1  dozen hard-cooked eggs, peeled
• 1/2  cup  mayonnaise
• 3  tablespoons  mango chutney
• 1/8  teaspoon  ground red pepper
• Kosher salt to taste
• Garnish: sliced fresh chives

Prep

Cut eggs in half lengthwise; carefully remove yolks. Mash yolks; stir in mayonnaise, chutney, and red pepper until blended. Spoon yolk mixture evenly into egg white halves. Sprinkle evenly with desired amount of salt. Garnish, if desired. Chill until ready to serve.

(photo and recipe from myrecipes.com)

Football Centerpiece Idea

 

I found this recipe on Kraft Foods.com for Football Field Gelatin but I was thinking this would make an unique centerpiece for your table at your Super Bowl party.  Its easy and inexpensive too.

Football Field Gelatin

2-1/2 cups boiling water

3 pkg.  (4-serving size each) JELL-O Lime Flavor Gelatin

2-1/2 cups cold water

1 cup  thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping

STIR boiling water into dry gelatin mixes in large bowl at least 2 min. until completely dissolved. Stir in cold water. Pour into 13x9-inch pan.

REFRIGERATE 4 hours or until firm.

USE whipped topping to draw "yard lines" on gelatin. Arrange toy football figures and decorations on gelatin. Store in refrigerator. 

Super Bowl Snack Recipe

Sorry I do not have a pic of this great idea from Rachel Ray, but I do have a link to a video to show you how to make these Chili Cheese Corn Muffins!  For sports parties I am all about finger foods.  Since most fans will be in front of the TV you don't want a lot of messy food in the living room right?  This recipe combines chili, cheese and cornbread in a handy muffin form.  It just doesn't get any better than that!

Also, be sure to check out my Football Fare category for many other great recipes just for this occasion.  The Buffalo Chicken Dip is a hit everywhere I take it.

Perfect for a Super Bowl Party

 

Head on over to Paper & Cake and purchase this fun and sporty game day download for your Super Bowl parties!  Only $5!  Its perfect for a sports gathering, especially around guys, you won't have to sweat it if it gets messed up. 

Here is what is included:

(easy) game day invitations
beer bottle charms (also double as cupcake picks)
pennant garland (we are including one pennant from each Super bowl team)
party food labels
wine glass tags
napkin rings

Makes me want to have a Super Bowl party just to order it!

(photo from Tangarang)