Opinion: Gameday recipes from Chef Moses

Michael Moses

Michael Moses

Michael Moses is the sports columnist for the Daily Kent Stater. Contact him at [email protected].

There’s one thing that goes best with football — and it’s another F word. No, not that F word. I’m talking about food.

Eating and watching football go hand-in-hand. Like peanut butter and jelly, Tom Brady and Wes Welker or Ricky Williams and weed. Given the time of year, I figured it’s time to host a football party, bringing you the best foods you’re not exactly thinking about when it comes to Sunday afternoons. They’re easy to prepare and will surely score you a touchdown with the guests.

Just because we’re in college doesn’t mean we have to order pizza and wings or have one of our girlfriends throw together a buffalo chicken dip (even though it’s a classic, I’m sick of it).

ATTENTION: A slow cooker and toaster oven comes in handy with the following recipes. Walmart, people. Walmart.

Remember, fellas — the ladies love a man that can cook…

Salmon cracker bites and New England Clam Chowder:

For all you Patriots fans, take a trip up the coast and have a little seafood. Hit up Walmart, purchase yourself a bunch of Ritz crackers (or go for the Great Value brand, we’re in college). Pick up some smoked salmon, slice it up and top off the crackers. Badda bing!

My favorite thing about fall has to be soup. If you’re going the seafood cracker route, why not go the whole way with New England Clam Chowder?

Jimmy John’s Garlic Bread:

Cheapest, greatest thing to serve. Here’s a little trick — go to Jimmy John’s and buy a few loaves of their fresh bread. Buy a garlic butter spread, throw it in a toaster oven, and you look like Emeril Lagasse. Meanwhile, you didn’t do a damn thing.

Sausage Sandwiches with peppers:

Calling all slow cooker users. Throw the following ingrdients in your magic container, cook for at least 6 hours, and pig out. Make sure you have the 6 inch hoagie buns, and top them with fresh mozzarella cheese.

  • 12-24 uncooked sausage links (hot or sweet, 6-inch links)
  • 1 large can of crushed tomatoes
  • 2 small cans of basil onion diced tomatoes
  • Diced sweet peppers
  • Diced onions

Dad’s Chicken Stew:

Another slow cooker favorite. Cook until chicken is tender and falls off the bone. This is a perfect meal that can be made with whatever you feel is necessary. Substitute anything. But, here’s what I suggest…

  • 5 pounds of bone-in chicken thighs and breasts
  • Cut carrots
  • Cubed potatoes
  • Frozen peas
  • Salt, pepper
  • 1 tablespoon of cinnamon
  • 1 chopped onion
  • A splash of water to keep everything moist (1 cup)

Pleasant Pulled Pork:

A slow cooker classic. Simple and to the point. Slow cook for 6-8 hours, until the meat is falls off like glacier ice into the water.

  • 4 to 5 pound pork shoulder or pork butt
  • Fill crock pot with 1/3 cup of water
  • Salt and pepper

Add your choice of BBQ sauce on the meat while it is still hot and tender and out of the slow cooker. Mix with hands. Not too much sauce, though. This is just for the initial flavor. Add as much as you want once it’s on the bun.

Bridgeville’s Famous Ham BBQ Sandwiches:

A hidden gem. If you don’t toast the buns and top the meat with cheddar cheese, consider it a failure. Cook for 2-3 hours in slow cooker.

  • 3 pounds chipped ham
  • 2 jars of sweet BBQ sauce
  • 1/2 cup of sweet relish

Don’t settle for Hungry Howie’s. Don’t pick up Buffalo Wild Wings. Make the goods yourself so you have something to put on your home field this Sunday.