Serve game-winning snacks for tailgate season

Football season is here, and we all love to eat and watch the game. You can make treats that feel like the take all day to finish – or I like to make and eat within 30 minutes.

Sausage Spinach Balls

1 pound of hot sausage (or mild)

2 cups grated cheddar cheese

2 cups biscuit mix

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

8 oz. package spinach with most of all of the water out

3-4 shakes of red pepper flakes, if you want extra spicy

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl and roll into about 2 inch balls. This will make 50.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees and bake on a cookie sheet about 15-20 minutes until golden brown.

Dipping Sauce

1 jar of peach preserves, about 8 oz.

1 jar of apple jelly, about 8 oz.

Hot sauce to taste

¼ tsp. dry mustard

1 tsp. horseradish

Mix well until horseradish is dissolved. I like it at room temperature.

Spinach Dip

1 package of spinach, chopped, with all water out

1 small can chopped chestnuts, drained

3 tablespoons mayonnaise

2 cups sour cream

½ tsp. salt and pepper

1 package dry vegetable soup mix

1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

3 green onions chopped into small pieces

Mix all together. I like it cold, but there’s nothing wrong with room temperature.

Cheese ball

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

½ teaspoon salt to taste

1 medium green pepper, finely chopped

1 tablespoon onion flakes

1 small can crushed pineapple, drained

1 cup chopped pecans

Mix softened cream cheese with all other ingredients except nuts and roll in nuts. Chill three hours. Serve with crackers, any kind you like.

Bourbon Bites

3 pounds of wieners of your choice

1 cup of bourbon

1 bottle chili sauce

Cut wieners into fourths or fifths. Mix bourbon and chili sauce and pour over wieners. Bake uncovered at 425 degrees for three hours and serve hot. These are better if they are prepared the day before and cooked the day of. If you do not like the taste of bourbon, leave it out and add a cup of water instead.

Baked Smokies

1 package of Smokies, about 8 oz.

1 pound of bacon cut in thirds

2 cups of brown sugar

1 stick of butter

Wrap Smokies with bacon and lay in baking dish. Melt ½ stick of butter and pour over wrapped Smokies then sprinkle with one cup of brown sugar.

Add the rest of butter and add brown sugar after about one minute of cooking.

Cover the dish and place in a 325-degree oven for 30 minutes until bacon is done. Serve with toothpicks and the drippings from the dish in a small bowl.