KICKOFF PARTY

A Menu Game Plan for Victory!

Blue jeans and sweatshirts are the perfect party clothes for most football fans and as they cheer their favorite team on to victory, they'll cheer you for the perfect menu: a hearty layered dip, a Game-Day Chili-with-a-Twist and handfuls of sweet snack mix to make your party a success, no matter who wins the game!

Thanks to VeryBestBaking.com and Nestle for these fabulous recipes that are tried and true!

Game-Day Chili-With-A-Twist
Before you turn your nose up at this one, we've got to tell you that the pumpkin lends color, nutrients and substance to this creamy Chili Mexicana recipe. Onion, chile peppers, ground turkey and kidney beans seasoned with cumin and chili powder make a zesty and flavorful dish. This is a zesty, colorful version of an old favorite. Add a few jalapeno slices for a fiery chili.

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 cup (1 large) chopped red or green bell pepper
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 pound ground turkey (we changed ours to ground beef)
3 1/2 cups (two 14.5-ounce cans) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 3/4 cups (15-ounce can) LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
1 3/4 cups (15-ounce can) tomato sauce
1 1/2 cups (15 1/4-ounce can) kidney beans, drained
1/2 cup (4-ounce can) ORTEGA Diced Green Chiles
1/2 cup whole kernel corn
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions:

HEAT vegetable oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, bell pepper and garlic; cook, stirring frequently, for 5 to 7 minutes or until tender. Add turkey; cook until browned. Drain.

ADD tomatoes with juice, pumpkin, tomato sauce, beans, chiles, corn, chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover; cook, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes.

Serve with Garlic Bread.

We also served steamed white rice and guests put the chili over the rice in their dish.

Yield
Makes 6 to 8 servings

Layered Kickoff Dip
Party-goes will have something more than football to cheer about with this combination of salsa, chiles and cheese... it is unbeatable!

Ingredients:
1-3/4 cups (1-pound can) Ortega Refried Beans
1 cup (7-ounce can) Ortega Diced Green Chilies (divided)
2 medium very ripe avocados (seeded, peeled and mashed)
1-1/2 cups (16-ounce jar) Ortega Thick & Chunky Salsa (medium or mild) (divided)
1/4 cup sour cream
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup (2-1/4 ounce can) sliced ripe olivces (drained)
sliced green onions (optional)
Chopped tomatoes (optional)
Tortilla chips

Directions:
Combine beans and 1/2 cup chiles in a small bowl. Spread over bottom of 8-inch-square baking dish.

Combine avocados, 1/4 cup salsa and sour cream in small bowl; blend well.

Spread avocado mixture over beans. top with remaining salsa, cheese, remaining chiles, olives, green onions and tomatoes. Serve with chips.

Yield: 10 to 12 servings

Chocolate Chip Party Mix
Bet-you-can't-eat-just-one-handful of this tasty snack... it is the adition of the milk chocolate morsels that makes it wonderful. Variation is to use butterscotch-flavored morsels for variety.

Ingredients:
9 cups over-toasted corn cereal squares
4 cups small pretzels
1-1/2 cups dry roasted peanuts
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups (11.5-ounce package) Nestle' Toll House Milk Chocolate Morsels
1-1/2 cups raisins

Directions:
Combine cereal, pretzels and nuts in large bowl. Distribute evenly between two 13 x 9 inch baking pans or one shallow roasting pan. Combine brown sugar, butter and corn syrup in medium, heavy-duty saucepan. Bring to a boil, stiring constantly, over medium heat. Boil, without stirring, for 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla and baking soda. Pour evenly over cereal mixture; stir until coated. Bake in preheated 250 degree F. oven, stirring every 15 minutes, for 45 minutes. Cool completely in pan(s), stirring frequently to break apart mixture. Stir in morsels and raisins. Store in airtight container.

Yield: About 18 servings

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