Game Day Popcorn

A quick and easy snack for game day, movie night, a teen sleep-over party, or a casual get-together with friends....this is a home-made seasoning recipe I came up with to use on our air-popped popcorn. I prefer to use real butter and season my own popcorn rather than use the microwave stuff. It's just my preference - I happen to have an old air-popper, and the kids enjoy using it. It's quick, and more economical to make your own seasoning, plus I think the flavor is much better. So here's what you need:

• 10 c. freshly-popped, air-popped popcorn (or a very plain/natural variety of microwave popcorn)
• 6 tbsp. melted butter
• 1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp. paprika
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

Drizzle the melted butter over the popcorn and toss lightly to coat. Combine the remaining ingredients in a small bowl. Sprinkle over buttered popcorn and toss/stir thoroughly to coat. Serve immediately. Serves: 8 - 10

As pictured at the top of the page, a neat serving idea is to use the sports pages of your newspaper to make cones (tape at the bottom), and serve the popcorn in the cones.... it keeps the butter from making your hands greasy.

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Beer & Cheddar Fondue

I think this dip screams, "Game Day!" A cheesy, garlicky warm dip made with beer.... perfect for dipping soft pretzels, pretzel sticks, apple slices, those little smoked sausage links, or (in honor of my late hubby)... Slim Jims : )  This dip needs to be kept warm, so if you have a fondue pot, here's an excuse to finally break it out and use it. If you don't have a fondue pot, you can give this dip a quick reheat and stir during commercial breaks (just microwave it for 20 to 30 seconds). The flavor is great - there is no alcoholic taste to it.  I'm not a beer drinker at all - my Dad had to donate a can of beer for me to make it. If you are worried about the kids trying it, I understand. The beer is cooked on the stove-top, so some of the alcohol is cooked out of it, but you can also use a nonalcoholic beer if you wish. I found this recipe in an old Taste of Home Magazine (Feb./Mar. 2011). Note: I have written the full recipe below, but the photos show me making a 1/2 recipe. (I just made it for my family of three.)

Here's what you need:

• 4 c. (16 oz.) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
• 1 c. beer or nonalcoholic beer
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1-1/2 tsp. ground mustard
• 1/4 tsp. ground pepper
• Items for dipping: pretzel sticks, soft pretzels, smoked sausage links, apple slices, or Slim Jims

In a large bowl, combine cheese and flour:

In a small saucepan, heat the beer, garlic, mustard, and pepper over medium heat until bubbles form around the sides of the pan:

Reduce the heat to low, and add a handful of the cheese mixture, stirring constantly. When it is almost completely melted, add another handful. Continue adding cheese, one handful at a time, allowing the cheese to melt with each addition. Be sure to continue stirring the entire time.

When all the cheese is mixed in and the dip is smooth, transfer to a serving dish. Keep warm. Enjoy!

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