5 Touchdown Worthy Game Day Party Tips & Two Yummy, Health Insired Recipes

Last month, I wrote about a recipe for Holiday meatballs using Ocean Spray cranberry sauce.

Well, the holidays are over and Football is all the rage in my house. My husband and son talk Football every Sunday.

While I am so far from the sports girl but man do I love tailgating food. Thanks to Ocean Spray I have some awesome party tips and recipes for February 7th's kickoff date.

Here are five party tips for avoiding game day fumbles:

• Use eco-friendly plates and cutlery. It’s safe for the environment and makes clean up a snap!
• Get the kids involved. Have them decorate the house or tailgate tent with team colors, pictures of team mascots and/or their favorite players.
• Serve food buffet style so guests can focus on the game. Try new twists on classic party and tailgate favorites like Ocean Spray’s award winning Grilled Bacon Apple Bites with Chunky Cranberry Spread or Tex Mex Cranberry Salsa. (Recipes are below)
  
•  Enlist your guests. Have someone come early to help set-up and assign people to bring appetizers and desserts.
• Keep extra paper towels, napkins and cleaners handy in case of spills.
  

2009 Ocean Spray Tailgating Recipe Contest Finalist
Katie Pelczar of Dedham, Mass recipe 

GRILLED BACON APPLE BITES WITH CHUNKY CRANBERRY SPREAD

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup Ocean Spray® Fresh or Frozen Cranberries

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup Ocean Spray® Cranberry Juice Cocktail

1/4 cup raisins

1/4 cup sugar

2 tablespoons cider vinegar

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 teaspoon chopped garlic

16 slices bacon

8 slices hearty whole-grain bread

4 teaspoons mustard

1 large apple, sliced

1/3 pound sharp Cheddar cheese, thinly sliced

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat grill to high.

Bring cranberries, water, cranberry juice cocktail, raisins, sugar, vinegar and ginger to a boil in cast-iron pot or Dutch oven. Reduce heat; simmer for 10 minutes or until thickened.

Meanwhile, heat oil in small cast-iron skillet. Add onion and garlic; sauté until soft and slightly brown. Stir onion mixture into cranberry mixture.

Cook bacon on griddle until crisp. Spread 4 bread slices with mustard. Top with bacon, apple and cheese. Spread cranberry mixture on remaining 4 bread slices. Place bread slices, cranberry side down, on cheese to form sandwiches. Grill sandwiches on griddle until browned on both sides and cheese is melted. Cut each sandwich into 4 triangles. Serve with remaining cranberry mixture.

Makes 4 sandwiches.

TEX MEX CRANBERRY SALSA

1 14-ounce can Ocean Spray® Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce
1/4 cup canned jalapenos, chopped
1 green onion, sliced
1 teaspoon dried cilantro
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon lime juice

Combine all ingredients in a medium mixing bowl. Serve with nacho chips or as a condiment for poultry or pork. Store refrigerated for up to 1 week. Makes about 2 cups.