Easy Appetizers for the Big Game Sunday. Go Patriots!!!

Instead of What's for Dinner I've decided to share some of my favorite appetizers and one of my all time favorites, my sister's Sangria.  It's a great way to bring people together.

I have 2 dips. One is from my husbands cousin, Kristan. We first had this dip a few years back on Christmas Day as we waited for the turkey to cook. It was a huge hit and since then I make it for most sporting events. I call it the guy dip. It's Buffalo Wing Dip.

The second dip was given to me from my neighbor Barb, again, she always sends me the best. It's Vidalia Onion dip served with Tortilla Chips, again, another big hit. 

What I like about both dips, they can both me made the day before or the morning of and be baked off right before the game starts. The Sangria, make it days in advance, won't disappoint at all.

Buffalo Wing Dip

• 1 Large can of Hormel Chicken or any brand you like, drained and shredded with a fork

Tip: If you don't want to use canned, buy Perdue Easy Cuts and chop into smaller pieces, either way works.

• 1 8oz Block of Cream Cheese
• 1 Cup of Cheddar or Mozzarella or Monterey Jack, (whatever cheese you prefer)
• 1 Cup of Ken's Buffalo Wing Sauce and Marinade (can use hotsauce instead-Texas Pete)  I tend to use 1/2 cup.
• 1/4-1/2 Cup Ranch Dressing.

Directions: With a handmixer combine all, place in a baking dish and bake at 350 for 20 mins til it's hot and bubbly.  Serve with Tortilla chips, celery sticks, carrot stick and a small bowl of bleu cheese dressing. 

Tip: You can also place in a frying pan, cook till its all combined and place into a crockpot and let it go on low or high for hours and serve hot with tortilla chips.

Vidalia Onion Dip

• 3 Large Vidalia Onions Coarsely Chopped
• 2 Tb of unsalted butter

Saute the onions in buttter till soft (about 15 mins or so)

Remove then combine all with 1 Cup Mayo, 1 8oz Package of Cheddar Cheese, 1/2 tsp Tabasco Sauce, 1 clove garlic minced and 2 T fresh chopped Parsley. Stir till smooth and place into a baking dish.

Bake at 375 for 25 mins. Serve with Tortilla chips or crackers.

One of my favorites. Gina's Sangria

• 1 Pint Strawberries sliced
• 2 Peaches pitted and sliced
• 1 Large Orange Sliced

Put all the fruit into a large bowl and add:

• 1/2 Cup Sugar
• 1/2 Cup Brandy
• 1/4 Cup Grand Marnier
• 1/2 Cup Orange Juice
• 1 Bottle of Red Wine (Cabernet Sauvignon) or Viva Borja-Spanish Red Wine

Stir and cover overnight or up to 2 nights. 

Strain Fruit, pour liquid into a serving pitcher add Sparkling Water/Seltzer and garnish with lemon/limes/oranges  (fresh cut fruit, not what was strained)

If you find it too sweet, cut it with more wine, not sweet enough add more sugar. 

Hope you enjoy! Go Patriots!!