GAME ON

Sit back in your favorite chair, enjoy a snack to watch the games. Look closely; the cat is using the remote to watch several games. His eyes seem to be blinking from too much TV watching! 

Spinach Artichoke Pizza Bites
Cook's Notes: Reimagine your favorite spinach artichoke dip into these tasty pizza bites. The filling can be made ahead and refrigerated. Bring filling to room temperature for easier spreading. The filling makes about 24 pizza bites, depending on the bread toast size. Bread can be toasted ahead and covered at room temperature. Recipe adapted from Food Network Magazine January 2020.
Cooking Tips: I used a round biscuit cutter (2 inches) to cut shapes from English muffins. Another option is to use Pepperidge Farm Rye Party Breads.
To puree ingredients, use a heavy-duty high-speed blender or a food processor as the filling mixture is thick.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 bag thawed cut leaf spinach; squeeze out any extra liquid (about a cup and a half)
• 1 jar (6.5oz.) marinated artichokes hearts, drained and chopped
• 4 oz. package of lite cream cheese, at room temperature or 1/2 container of Philadelphia Whipped Garlic and Herb Cream Cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1/3 cup lite sour cream
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• Mozzarella or white cheddar cheese, grated
• Dash red pepper flakes
• Small bread toasts

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. On a baking sheet, toast one side of bread and set aside.
• Puree until smooth all ingredients through the salt and pepper.
• Spread the filling on the untoasted side. Top each pizza round with grated Parmesan cheese, a sprinkle of mozzarella cheese, and a dash of red pepper flakes.
• Bake at 425 degrees for 5 minutes. A toaster oven can be used, too.

Puff Pastry Pigs in a Blanket

Cook's Notes: A twist on your classic Pigs in a Blanket game day snack using Puff Pasty, Roasted Red Pepper Chicken Sausage (a healthy option) sprinkled with Bagel Everything Seasoning.
Note there are other chicken sausage flavors to choose from. The recipe makes about 20 appetizers.

Ingredients:

• 1 box puff pastry sheets, thawed (you will need both sheets)
• 1 package Roasted Red Pepper and Garlic Chicken Sausage
• 1 large egg, whisked
• Bagel Everything Seasoning
• Honey Mustard Sauce

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line the baking sheet with a silicone pad or parchment paper.
• Make sure each sausage is wiped dry and cut into 5ths.
• Roll out puff pastry to a 9- 10 inch square on a lightly floured surface. Cut into 7 equal strips, then cut each strip in half.
• Wrap a strip of puff pastry around each sausage bite and place seam side down on the baking sheet.
• Brush with beaten egg, and sprinkle with bagel seasoning. Secure each piggy with a toothpick. Bake for 16-18 minutes or until golden and puffed. Serve with a honey mustard sauce.

Honey Mustard Sauce

Cook's Notes:
Takes 5 minutes to make. Refrigerate any leftovers.
Ingredients and Directions: Mix the following in a bowl using a whisk.
1/4 cup honey, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup Dijon mustard, dash cayenne pepper, 1 tablespoon white distilled vinegar

Bagel Everything Seasoning
Cook's Notes: Some grocery stores carry it in their spice department. Otherwise, make your own and keep it in a covered container or jar.
Ingredients and Directions:

Mix 1 tablespoon of poppy seeds, sesame seeds, dried minced garlic, dried minced onion, and 1/2 tsp. Kosher salt.

Guacamole Scoops
Preparation Tip: Don't make it too far in advance as the scoop chip will get soggy. Halve tomatoes ahead.
Ingredients:

• One bag of Scoop chips or small appetizer Phyllo shells
• 1 prepared container of guacamole dip from produce or deli
• 1 bag shredded Mexican Four Cheeses
• 1 container of cherry tomatoes

Directions:

• Fill each scoop chip with guacamole, sprinkle with cheese, and top with a halved tomato.