How To Tackle Any Tailgate Party!

There is nothing better than having some friends over on game day but to many of us the thought of spending all day in the kitchen rather than in front of the TV actually watching the game (and the money for the food) is often daunting! Which is why Marianne Gere, owner of the acclaimed ConshyGirls Catering and Events company in Conshohocken, PA, is here to help.

Here are her suggestions to help you save time, money and your sanity for your next tailgate party:

· Plan Ahead – Before the party, make a big pot of chili and freeze it. Want to stretch your budget? Add a couple extra cans of beans, they taste great and here’s an extra bonus— they’re good for you!

Want something different than traditional chili? Make a white chili with ground turkey, white beans , chicken stock and lots of spice and peppers. On game day keep this in a crockpot or slow cooker with all the accompaniments next to it like sour cream, shredded cheese, diced peppers, tortilla chips or anything you think would go great with chili.

· Snack Attack! -- Instead of the traditional chips and dip how about tortilla chips with homemade guacamole? Just mash up some ripe avocados, diced onion, Jalapeños, lime juice and cilantro. Add a little mayonnaise or sour cream and it’s done -- it’s that easy. Or try homemade pita chips with store-bought hummus. Take pita bread, cut it into triangles, brush with olive oil and salt-and-pepper and bake in the oven until crisp, and done! And these can be made in advance as well.

Another fun idea is homemade flavored popcorn. Do not use the microwave kind but real popcorn instead and make on the stove by following the directions. While it is still hot, dust with Old Bay seasoning or powdered ranch dip mix, parmesan cheese and garlic salt, or anything you’d like to give it a kick. It’s a quick, low-cost way to keep your guests entertained.

· Get In the Spirit -- And what is all this good food if you can’t wash it down with a nice cold beverage? To save time and money on costly cocktails try these seasonal spirits. A few days in advance, make some homemade sangria with seasonal fruit. This is a great way to stretch a budget as you do not need to use expensive wine. Here’s the recipe for white sangria: four bottles of inexpensive Sauvignon blanc, a 1/2 bottle of Saint Germain, cut up apples and pears and, if you have a cinnamon stick in your spice cabinet, throw it in for fun (but not necessary) keep refrigerated. On game day, put in a self- dispensing canister, you can buy one of these at any home goods store, add a bottle of club soda and serve some ice on the side.

Another great beverage this time of the year is some hot apple cider with Bourbon or really kick it up with a cinnamon flavored Liquor, like Fireball.

· Score Extra Points -- Do you want to be super clever and impress your guests? Make some homemade brownies and cut them into the shape of footballs. Pipe in some vanilla icing that looks like the strings and you are good to go!

But most importantly on game day the goal is to have everything done in advance so you can have a good time cheering on your favorite team. Go birds!!

Marianne Gere is the owner of ConshyGirls Catering and Events as well as three restaurants in Conshohocken with her business partner Kim Strengari. For more information about catering and event planning, visit www.ConshyGirls.com.