Cheese Ball Pops

Good day, Smarties! As you all know, I am a big fan of Tailgate parties. And the tailgating season is here again, Smarties! So, what better time could there be for me to share a few more tailgate party foods if not now? For those who are not familiar with tailgate parties, let me simply tell you what it is. It's a party hosted by the fans at a parking lot after a big game or concert. The specialty of these parties is that they are held in the tailgates of the vehicles. Is that why there are called tailgate parties? Yeah, most probably! 

Alright, who is excited about the first recipe? I sure am! 

Recipe Number One: Cheese Ball Pops

Try this cheese ball pops recipe for a tailgate-style take on the beloved cheese ball appetizer. Why did I think of making it into pops? Because cheese ball pops make for a cute display and an easy-to-grab eat. This recipe is for you if you're trying to please ALL of your tailgater guests. And let's face it; you can never go wrong with cheese!

What you need:

• One package of cream cheese (8 oz.)
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup softened butter
• One package of sliced almonds (about 2 oz.)
• 12 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
• 1 cup finely chopped dates
• One bottle of brandy (This is optional, but I suggest you use it. Tailgate parties are famous for having alcoholic drinks, after all!)
• cake pop sticks (up to 24 depending on how big you make your pops)

Here's how to make these cheesy pops! 

Directions:

Step one - Mix the cream cheese, butter, cheddar cheese, and brandy in a bowl. 

Step two - Add in the chopped dates and bacon and mix again.

Step three - Shape the mixture into about one-inch diameter balls. 

Step four - Roll balls in sliced almonds, cover, and refrigerate until firm (This should take about 2 hours).

Step five - Take them out after they have become firm. Insert a cake pop stick into each cheese ball and serve on your favorite Smarty Party plates. 

Fried Bread

The mix of bacon, cheese, dates, and nuts was delightful, right?  

The second idea I am going to share is one of my favorite comfort food of sorts. Give it a try if you have leftover bread slices!

We are onto making some fried bread!

Here are the things you need

• Capsicum
• Onion
• Veggies
• Tomato
• Cheese
• Shredded meat
• Slices of bread
• Spices

In a pan, add some oil and sauté the onions. Then add in the shredded meat and let it cook. Next, add the veggies, tomatoes, capsicum, and sauté again. Throw in your spices. I only used chili flakes and pepper because I can't handle a lot of spiciness. Then add salt to taste. One of my friends suggested a tip: add about a tablespoon of flour and mix. Then go in with the cheese. When the cheese melts, turn off the heat. Take the bread slices and cut off the corners. Then dampen the pieces in water and stuff them with the stuffing. Then form balls and fry. Enjoy with tomato sauce!

To All the Potato Lovers!

The third recipe was given to me by my friend Erica. She calls them crispy potatoes. 

You need about three potatoes, about two tablespoons of flour, one teaspoon of corn flour, half a teaspoon of baking powder, and salt to taste.

First, boil the potatoes. Then add the salt and mash them well. To make a fine paste, pass the mashed potatoes through a sieve. Then add the flour, corn flour, and baking powder to the potato paste. And form a dough. Roll the dough out and cut it into small pieces. Then press down a little with a fork. Then fry them in hot oil and enjoy! 

I had these from an Indian friend I met at a party, and I love these so much. My fourth tailgate party food feels like home.

Who Loves Chicken Pops?!

Mix shredded chicken, thinly chopped onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, and cheese in a bowl with a mix of spices. Oh, and don't forget the mashed potatoes too! Then form bite-sized balls out of the mix. Roll them in bread crumbs. Then place them in the refrigerator for some time. Take them out after about an hour and fry until golden brown. Insert cake pop sticks into these yummy balls. They are super delicious, aren't they? 

Cheese and Sausage, Say No More!

Did you know cheesy sausage balls were a party favorite too? Mix sausages, cheddar cheese, and cream cheese together. Sounds promising already, doesn't it? Add the spices for an extra kick and form balls. Then throw them into an oven heated at 400 degrees.

Here is another cheese and sausage recipe you can make with your eyes closed. Onto a skewer, put half a sausage and half a stick of mozzarella cheese. Wash them with an egg wash. Then on AP flour. Then again, on eggs. And then roll on breadcrumbs. Deep fry the sausage-cheese sticks and enjoy! 

This Recipe Is For The Lovers Of Bread!

Butter up one side of some slices of bread. Then lay them down on a baking tray, buttered side down — Preheat the oven to 200 degrees. 

Into a bowl, break in 2-3 eggs. Finely chop some onions and add them to the eggs. Slice up some tomatoes and bell peppers and add them too! Sprinkle pepper and salt to taste. And then beat the mixture with a hand mixer. Pour this mix over the bread slices. Top off with some mozzarella cheese. And bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is well melted. And you are done. 

You can make a rolled-up version of this too. Here is how to do it. Prepare a pourable liquid batter with AP flour, water, and milk. Then thinly spread it onto a pan. Yeah, just like making crêpe! When it is almost done, pour the egg batter over the top. And let it cook. Then roll it and serve. It is a very light snack you will enjoy! 

Which recipe caught your interest, smarties? If you have any exciting recipes, do share them with us too! 

 

Party on, Smarties! With love, Smarty had a Party!