A big part of Thanksgiving weekend is watching the Iron Bowl.

We gather around the TV, taking a break from Thanksgiving foods, to stuff our faces with game day dishes while watching the most stressful game of the season. This year I’m expecting a great game. The stakes our high this year – ESPN Game Day will be on The Plains, Alabama is ranked #1, Auburn is ranked #4, and a ticket to the SEC Championship Game is on the line.

Here are a few of the recipes that will be on the coffee table this year:

Football Game Day Dip

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Velveeta
• 1 can Rotel
• 1/2 lb ground beef

Steps:

1. Brown ground beef, drain fat.
2. Cube Velveeta and put in a microwavable dish. Stir in Rotel and beef.
3. Microwave for 2 minutes at a time, stirring. Once cheese is melted serve with Tostitos!

Shake ‘n’ Bake Buffalo Bites

Ingredients:

• 1 pkt Shake ‘n’ Bake
• 3 lb chicken breasts, cut into bite sized pieces
• 1 bottle Frank’s Red Hot buffalo sauce (not hot sauce)

Steps:

1. Toss chicken in Shake ‘n’ Bake.
2. Place chicken on baking sheet. Bake at 375deg for 20-25 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
3. Toss cooked chicken in buffalo sauce. Serve with ranch dressing!

This year we’re experimenting with chicken wings instead! Baking them on a metal rack on a baking sheet at 425deg for 30min.

Cranberry Barbecue Turkey Sliders

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 C cranberry sauce
• 1/2 C orange juice concentrate, thawed
• 1/4 C brown sugar
• 1/8 C honey
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp sherry vinegar
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 tsp ancho chili powder
• left over turkey, shredded
• slider buns

Steps:

1. Bring ingredients to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until reduced slightly, about 10 minutes.
2. Pour sauce into a blender or use an immersion blender.
3. Toss turkey in barbecue sauce. Assemble slider sandwiches.

*This recipe is adapted from John at http://www.patiodaddiobbq.com/2011/11/cranberry-orange-bbq-sauce.html*

WAR EAGLE!

UPDATE: We had so much food that the sliders weren’t made this year. I will be making them for the SEC Championship Game next weekend instead!