I thought I would share with you some of my favorite recipes for game day.  If you’re still keeping to your healthy New Year’s resolutions, these recipes will not help.  However, you could use vegetables (carrots, grape tomatoes, zucchini) as your dipping device or get a small plate and keep yourself to a small serving rather than camping out at the dip location.  Just don’t mess with the mayo.  Seriously, there’s something about the fat-free and reduced fat mayo that ruins these dips.  Rather than mess with these recipes, serve other healthier options like crudités and hummus. 

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Buffalo Chicken Dip
3 – 12.5 ounce cans of all-white meat chicken (drained)
3 – 8 ounce packages of cream cheese
1 cup of ranch dressing
12 ounce bottle of Frank’s Buffalo Wing Sauce (NOT hot sauce)
12 ounces of shredded Mexican cheese blend

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In large pot or skillet, mix chicken, cream cheese, ranch dressing, and wing sauce on medium-low heat until combined and smooth. Mix in 1 cup of cheese. Transfer to 9 by 13 pan. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes.

Serve with bite-size tortilla chips.
(Note: The original recipe I pilfered from a friend’s ex-boyfriend included diced celery, so feel free to add a cup if you’re a fan. I am not.)

Spinach and Artichoke Dip
1 package of frozen spinach, thawed and drained (press through colander several times until all water is removed)
1- 12 ounce can of artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 cup of grated parmesan cheese
1 cup Hellman’s mayonnaise
2 cloves of garlic, finely minced

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix all ingredients until combined and there are no large chunks of spinach. Transfer to 8 or 9 inch pan. Bake for 20 minutes or until edges start to brown.

Serve with tortilla chips, pita chips or crusty bread.

Hot Crab Dip
4 ounces of softened cream cheese
½ cup of mayonnaise
½ cup of sweet onions, chopped
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 tablespoon of lemon juice
½ teaspoon of Old Bay Seasoning
6 ounces of fresh or canned lump crabmeat, drained
5 crushed buttery crackers (like Keebler’s Club crackers)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Caramelize onions in small sauté pan with olive oil. Drain off any excess oil. Combine with cream cheese, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Old Bay and crabmeat. Mix until all is incorporated and there are no big lumps of cream cheese. Transfer to small baking dish or crock. Sprinkle crushed crackers on top. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until cracker topping is golden brown.

Serve with your favorite crackers. I like the Townhouse Flip Sides with this dip.

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If you want to give your guests an entree in addition to appetizers and dips, go with something that is easy to make in large quantities.  I like chili with fixings (cheese, onion, Fritos, sour cream, etc.) or pulled pork with small potato rolls and cole slaw.  People will be filling up on appetizers all day, so no need to go all out on the entree.  Save some money by doing an entree that allows people to have as small or as large a portion as they want.

If you want to offer dessert, go simple.  A perfect batch of chocolate chip cookies beats most desserts.  Get a few pints of ice cream and have guests make their own ice cream sandwiches.  For a healthier option, make a fruit salad and let guests make it as bad as they want it — chocolate syrup, whipped cream (or Cool Whip), shortcake or biscotti.

Enjoy the game (and the commercials)!

I’ve been doing a lot of cardio lately, so an upbeat playlist is a must.  My current playlist is about 70 minutes.  I always start with a song I’m obsessing about at the moment. It makes me look forward to a workout.  I hope you find some new (or old) favorites!

“Call Your Girlfriend” by Robyn

“The Climb” by Miley Cyrus (Don’t make fun! It gets me going.)

“The Cave” by Mumford and Sons

“Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey (I actually skip this one sometimes. Cliche.)

“Party Hard” by Andrew WK (if this song was 6 hours long I could probably run a marathon… in theory)

“Precious Declaration” by Collective Soul

“Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen

“Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga

“The Boxer” by CarbonLeaf

“Waiting for the End” by Linkin Park

“Already Gone” by Kelly Clarkson

“F**kin’ Perfect” by P!nk

“Gives You Hell” by The American Rejects

“Hollywood” by Michael Buble

“In the End” by Linkin Park

“Life Less Ordinary” by CarbonLeaf 

“Little Lion Man” by Mumford and Sons

“Silver Springs” by Fleetwood Mac

“Let Your Troubles Roll By” by CarbonLeaf

Last Friday I had the pleasure of attending a book party for Margaret Hoover hosted by GOProud, the only group representing conservative gays and their allies.  I am proud to serve on the GOProud Advisory Council.  They always have fantastic parties because they bring together a diverse crowd of conservatives.  Young and old.  Gay and straight.  Conservatives and Frum staff members. 

From left: GOProud Board Chairman Chris Barron, GOProud Executive Director Jimmy LaSalvia, Margaret Hoover

Margaret Hoover is the great-granddaughter of President Herbert Hoover and a frequent contributor to Fox News. Margaret’s book, American Individualism: How a New Generation of Conservatives Can Save the Republican Party, is a must-read for all candidates and policymakers who want to reach out to millennials (those born between 1980 and 1999). 

Photo courtesy of Gabriel Malor

The event took place at Hotel Monaco and included two D.C. staples — open bar and mini crabcakes.  Woohoo!

From left: Danielle, Andrew and LOTUS

It was great to see former ACU interns and CPAC volunteers at the party.  Though I may not be working in the conservative movement now, I am so thankful for all of the wonderful people I’ve met.

Thanks again to Jimmy, Chris and the GOProud interns for putting on a fantastic event!