Great Game Day Grub

(Family Features) When game day arrives and friends and family are gathered around the big screen to cheer your team to victory, the only thing missing is some great grub to make the celebration complete.

Putting together an all-star spread is actually easier than you may think. Simple recipes featuring high-quality ingredients make it possible to serve up big flavor without a lot of fuss. Follow these tips to score a game day menu that will let your guests enjoy themselves to the fullest.

Create a DIY pizza station.
Prepare dough ahead of time or purchase individual serving size crusts and invite guests to make their own personal pizzas. Provide an array of fresh veggies, meats and herbs for endless combinations. Don’t forget plenty of quality cheese, and for a special twist, add some unexpected flavors, such as Jarlsberg Brand Cheese. Best known as a classic wedge, this nutty, mild cheese is also wonderful shredded for a uniquely delicious pizza flavor. Get guests started with this Sausage, Mushroom and Herb Pizza and then invite them to get creative on their own.

Top it off right.
No game day party is complete without chips and dip. Take your nachos to another level with premium toppings such these Barbecue Chicken Nachos. Other upgraded topping options: grilled steak or chicken, grilled corn and onions, a variety of flavorful cheeses, homemade guacamole, diced fresh veggies, seasoned olives and spices, such as Cajun or Caribbean jerk.

Bring the heat.
Spice things up with peppers as an added ingredient to other treats like pizza and nachos, or make the pepper the star, as with these Jalapeno Poppers, which blend the heat of a whole jalapeno balanced by the distinctive flavors of goat, Jarlsberg and Parmesan cheeses.

Pick a Party Bite

Finger foods make it easy for your fellow fans to quickly grab a snack between plays and save the serious grub for a longer break in the action. Tide them over until halftime with these bite-site appetizers. For a little extra fun, use toothpicks bearing the mascot or signature color of your favorite team.

Jarlsberg Cheese
salami
green grape
toothpick

Cut cheese and salami into bite-size cubes.
Thread ingredients on toothpicks, varying the order and mixing and matching ingredients for different flavor combinations.

Find more game day recipes at jarlsberg.com.

Barbecue Chicken Nachos

1 rotisserie chicken
1 cup barbecue sauce
nacho chips
1 cup shredded Jarlsberg Cheese
1/4 cup chopped green onion
sour cream (optional)

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
Pull white meat off rotisserie chicken and place in mixing bowl. Add barbecue sauce to pulled chicken and gently mix together.
Scatter nacho chips on oven-safe dish and place pulled chicken on top. Shred cheese with grater and coat top of chicken. Place in oven for approximately 10 minutes.
Sprinkle green onion on top and serve with sour cream, if desired.

Yield: 1 large serving

Jalapeno Poppers

16 whole jalapeno peppers, rinsed and drained
2 logs (4 ounces each) fresh goat cheese
1 cup shredded Jarlsberg Cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup diced green onion (scallions)
dash of hot sauce
cilantro leaves
mini hot red peppers (optional)

Using small sharp knife, cut slit down one side of each pepper. Leave stem intact and remove seeds and veins.
In bowl, mash all cheeses, onion and hot sauce. Divide among peppers, stuffing each generously. Refrigerate. (Note: Recipe can be made ahead to this point.)
Arrange peppers in heavy aluminum foil packet. Grill for 8-10 minutes, or until cheese begins to melt.
Garnish with cilantro and, if desired, hot red peppers.

Serves 16.

Cheese and Mushroom Pizza

1 premade pizza dough (14-16 ounces)
5 tablespoons tomato sauce
2 diced Roma tomatoes
8 ounces shredded Jarlsberg Cheese
2 ounces grated Parmesan cheese
8-10 sliced mushrooms
2 teaspoons oregano
arugula (optional)

Heat oven to 425 degrees F.
Follow premade pizza dough instructions on package.
Spread thin layer of tomato sauce and fresh tomatoes on uncooked pizza dough, sprinkle with cheeses, top with mushrooms and finish with oregano.
Bake pizza for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
Garnish with arugula, if desired.

Serves 1 pizza

Source: Jarlsbeg Cheese - jarlsberg.com/us

Great Game Day Grub

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