This week kicks off my favorite time of year - Football Season! If you’re a big fan like me, then you’re probably gearing up to attend some kind of party or get together this week; either a fantasy football draft (check!) or the big season opener for your team (check!). But if you’re an even bigger fan, you may actually have plans on hosting game day at your house sometime this season.
If so, this blog’s for you!
Since I’m just too darn excited to get this football-filled week started, I decided to spend Labor Day going through all of the wonderful paleo cookbooks that I have to pick out what I believe are the best recipes for dishes approved for any tailgate you may attend. So whether you’re a fan of college or professional football, you’ll find everything you need in this blog to host the best (healthy) game day, tailgate or fantasy football party ever.
Paleo By Season by Peter Servold of yours truly, Pete’s Paleo
Yes, this cookbook is from a ‘Chef’s Approach’, but that doesn’t mean the dishes are too fancy to serve up to your football buddies! I recommend the Classic Burgers (p. 38) because it gives you an excuse to fire up the grill (as if you ever needed one) and everyone loves a good burger. Or, if you really wanted to impress your friends, go with the Beer Butt Chicken (p. 96) - you can’t go wrong with something cooked with cider!
Well Fed: Paleo Recipes for People Who Love to Eat by Melissa Joulwan
This was actually the very first paleo cookbook I ever bought and I have used it countless times for many, many recipes. It’s safe to say I adore everything in this book, and I especially love the “Chocolate Chili” (pg. 73). It may not be chilly just yet, but talk to me again around week 8 and tell me whether or not a big bowl of yummy chili doesn’t sound great on a chilly Sunday. :)
The Paleo Kitchen by Juli Bauer (PaleOMG) and George Bryant (The Civilized Caveman)
You gotta love a paleo cookbook that has a section titled “Snacks” and this one has the perfect snacks for your game day! Check out their amazing Pulled Pork Nachoes (pg. 115) because, in my opinion, nothing says watching football than sitting in front of a big plate of nachos! And no one has to ever know they're “paleo” either. You can also whip up a big side of “Sweet Plantain Guacamole” (pg. 109), because I’ve seriously never met anyone who has turned down guac!
Nom Nom Paleo: Food For Humans by Michele Tam and Henry Fong
There’s always someone in the crowd that brings a salad or veggie plate - but why not spice that up a bit? Enter Nom Nom Paleo and her ‘Classic Coleslaw’ (pg. 99) and "Tomato + Basil Salad" (pg. 93), for those who want to make sure they are getting their veggies in, even on game day. :)
The Food Lovers Make It Paleo by Bill Stanley and Hayley Mason (The Primal Palate)
I chose this particular cookbook for our ‘desserts / treats’ section of the blog because I’ve always thought their dessert selection was amazing! Plus, everyone loves treats, but men and women alike. From this cookbook, I would go with the “‘Infamous' Bacon Cookies (p. 364), because, well, #bacon. I would also go with the Dates Stuffed with Goat Cheese (pg. 394) because I’m a huge dates fan and I look for any excuse to make them. (Be prepared to fight me for the last one, though.)
I think that pretty much covers your whole football party; starters/snacks, salad/sides, main dishes, chili and desserts. Man, everyone’s going to want to watch football at your house every week! I’ll keep an eye on my email for my invite :)