Football Season Has Officially Begun!

Last night, after Parents’ Night at the local elementary school, my husband and I snuck away for a quick bite to eat.  Which makes it sound much more exotic than it was–the event started at 6, and in order to get there in time, since supper at our house usually goes on the table at 6, I fed the kids grilled cheese and canned peaches and then dashed off to the school to meet my husband.  Meaning both of us sat through a PTA meeting with empty bellies.  When they said our session was over at 7:30 instead of 8 pm, as we originally thought, we bolted out the door and headed someplace that served buffalo wings and adult beverages.

We’re heading to the Alabama game this weekend, and we are for sure FEELING the football in the air.  At the restaurant last night–which was probably more of a pub–the big screens were all showing the first SEC game of the year (Vandy v South Carolina, if you’re keeping track), and my husband’s eyes lit up like Christmas morning.  I never cared a great deal about football before we were married, but when you grow up in the Great State of Alabama, football is never very far from your mind.  It’s not a sport, people, it’s a way of life, and college football is the Holy Grail.  The beginning of football season in the Deep South is basically a day of holy reverence.

My husband gets that.  He LOVES him some college football–the Almighty Southeastern Conference, to be exact, and the Crimson Tide above and beyond all.  We’re Tide folks.  And despite any criticisms you may have of men and their love of sports, when your husband has one singular passionate hobby and it only takes place 13 times a year–but the rest of the year you have his attention every weekend–then you let him watch his football, and you’re happy that he’s happy.  I’m not a wife who wants to gripe that he wants to watch the game–I’d rather learn to love it alongside him and then we can share those 13 Saturdays (14 if we make the Championships), and the other 39 besides.

photo via Frank’s Red Hot

On Game Day, I nearly always make Buffalo Chicken Wing Dip.  If you haven’t met this creature, it will CHANGE YOUR LIFE.  I generally use the Frank’s Red Hot recipe and sauce, but like to make some variations to the recipe:

  • one package cream cheese, fully softened
  • 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce or hot sauce
  • 1/2 cup bleu cheese dressing
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella or cheddar cheese, grated
  • additional 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese, grated
  • 2 cans chunk chicken breast

Mix the cream cheese and sauce in a shallow baking dish.  Add in the dressing and 1/2 cup of cheese.  Mix well.  Add in chicken, breaking up the larger chunks.  Stir, then bake at 375 for 20 minutes or until bubbly.  Pull out and sprinkle additional 1/2 cup of cheddar on top, then broil for 5 min or until slightly crispy on top.  Serve with Fritos Scoops for best results (but tortilla chips will do in a pinch).

We have been known to make this at 11 am for an early game and literally–LITERALLY–eat nothing else the rest of the day.  It is amazing.

Best part: if you chill the leftovers (should there be such a thing), it makes an awesome sandwich spread.  Kinda like pimento cheese in color and texture, but buffalo wing flavored.

Happy football season, y’all!

 

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  • Camille
    August 31, 2012 at 11:32 am

    I make this dip all the time, but I just dump everything in the crock pot and dip spoonfuls onto plates directly out of there. I never thought of putting it on a sandwich but that sounds delightful and I will do it this weekend!!

    PS – Go Dawgs! 🙂

  • Ana Earl
    September 1, 2012 at 2:25 pm

    Thanks for sharing the recipe! But the best the part was reading about how you feel in regards to football, your husband’s love for it, you being involved in it! If only more wives, girlfriends, significant others would take this attitude. I did the same with hunting and fishing, that was how my DH was raised and I learned from him and we hunt and fish together, he says he would not have it any other way. We have shared this love with our boys and enjoyed some great family time when they were still at home.
    Here’s to a great football season!

  • Ladonna
    September 5, 2012 at 2:35 pm

    Roll Tide! Love that recipe!
    I can totally related to the love of Alabama football! My husband had been counting down the days until the first game!
    Only people from Alabama understand the “religion” of the Crimson Tide!

  • Tsoniki Crazy Bull
    September 5, 2012 at 5:51 pm

    Thanks for what looks like a great recipe! I’m sure my DH will love it.

  • Loretta
    September 11, 2012 at 12:50 am

    Roll Tide! Will definately be trying this recipe for the game Saturday. Our daughter just graduated from the University of Alabama in August and is back home and working at her dream job! So far, she has been off for the games and will love this recipe. thanks