Are you ready for some football?

OK, OK...I'll admit it.  I HATE football.  But, I live in a house with one giant football fan, and one little fan in training.  These boys LIVE for football.  If Jackson isn't on the field playing football, he and Curt are either watching college or NFL games, or playing Madden 11 on the Wii.  Heaven help me!  But, on the upside, there is one thing I do enjoy about the game, and that is making fun man-friendly munchies for the boys to enjoy during the game.  With the Super Bowl right around the corner, I've got my thinking cap on for this year's smorgasbord of food, and today I will share a few goodies that are always a hit around here. 

For years, I wanted to learn to make Buffalo Wings that were as good as what we'd enjoy at restaurants.  I happened to be watching Food Network one day when the cutest lady with a thick southern drawl happened to be doing a show on that very item.  I watched, learned, and fell in love with Miss Paula Deen that day.  And to this day, her recipe for Buffalo Wings is what I use, know by heart, and enjoy.  Curt LOVES these, he requests them often and would be happy to live on them if I'd let him ;)   Another game day fave is  Baked Beef & Cheddar Subs.  These are easy, cheap, and great because you can make them ahead of time, wrap them in foil and pop them in the oven at a moment's notice.  You could even make them ahead of time and freeze them for future use, perhaps on one of those nights where you're just too tired to cook or have no clue what to make. 

Paula Deen's Buffalo Wings
1 4 lb. bag of frozen chicken wings, preferably the kind that are already cut into 2 pieces
1 bottle of Frank's Red Hot Sauce
1/2 stick of real butter melted...no substitutes!
1/4 t. garlic powder
canola oil for frying

Note:  You'll be working this recipe in small batches, so plan ahead...it takes some time to make a whole batch. Preheat oven to 250 (Keep Warm setting). Heat oil in large, deep pan.  I use a stockpot so the oil will not splatter onto my stove top and the surrounding cabinets.  Drop wings in one at a time and fry until light golden brown.  Remove and place on platter lined with paper towel to absorb excess oil.  In a large bowl, combine melted butter, garlic powder and at least 1/2 the bottle of Frank's.  You can use more/less to suit your taste.  Toss first batch of cooked wings in sauce, remove with tongs and place in an oven safe dish, cover with a lid or foil.  Place in oven, and proceed to next batch, repeating until all wings are cooked.  If you run out of sauce, simply make another batch with the same quantities of butter, garlic, etc.  The butter is essential, as it helps cut the sharp taste of the Franks, and it makes these wings melt in your mouth!  yum!!

Baked Beef and Cheddar Subs

1 lb. ground round or ground sirloin
1 small onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 can Campbell's Cheddar Cheese soup
1 t. Worcestershire sauce
6 slices of Velveeta cheese, or your favorite cheese
1 package of bakery style submarine buns (We use the wheat variety from the Wal-Mart deli..$2.00 for 6)

Brown ground beef with onion and celery, drain excess fat.  Add cheddar cheese soup, Worcestershire sauce and stir.  Slice a thin layer from top of sub bun, hollow out the bun, making a cavity to fill with meat mixture.  Stir the bread that was removed from the bun into the meat mixture.  Fill each hollowed out bun with meat mixture, top with a slice of cheese and top of bun.  Wrap each bun in foil, place on baking sheet and bake at 400 for 10 minutes.  Serve immediately and enjoy!