it will change your life: BYU vs UofU Rivalry Party : Simple food ideas

Food for parties is probably one of my more favorite parts of the party to plan.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

MAIN COURSE

I would love to tell you that I have this "Secret Family Recipe" for my chili, but today I am going to be honest with you! My secret family recipe is simply McCormic Chili Seasoning! YEP, I follow the recipe on the back, and WaLA! ... This is definitely a Chili you can make!

As for the "Red & Blue" Bread bowls, those were purchased at

Fresh Market in American Fork.

You will need to pre-order a few days in advance by calling the bakery.

I know Macey's Grocery store & Ridley's in Highland can also do this for you!

SIDE DISHES

This Warm Bacon Cheese Dip will "change your life!"

It is super easy to make and SO yummy! Every time I have brought it to a party, everyone goes crazy and asks for the recipe. When I ordered the Bread Bowls, I ordered one LARGE Bread bowl for the dip, and hollowed it out and placed the dip in it. Here is the recipe:

WARM BACON CHEESE DIP

Ingredients

8 oz Cream Cheese (softened)

1 1/2 cups Sour Cream (12 oz)

2 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese

1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce

3/4 lb Bacon (cooked & chopped)

1/2 cup Green Onion (chopped)

** If using a french bread loaf, you need to double the recipe

Directions

1. Mix all ingredients together & place in hollowed out bread.

2. Wrap bread in tin foil, and place in a preheated 325 degree oven.

3. Cook for at least 1 hour. (usually takes longer at the low heat, I usually turn up the heat!

CHIPS & SALSA

There is really no big secret to chips & salsa ... but thought the red and white was super festive for the University of Utah. If you would like a ROCKIN Salsa recipe, however

Click here for my homemade canned recipe!

DESSERT

(the most important part if you ask me)

For those of you that don't know about BYU Brownies, I highly suggest you try these! (even if you are a true Ute Fan!) Again, they WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE!!

Now the ones you get from BYU have green center for the mint frosting, but because I am being all festive and stuff, I thought blue looked better for my table.

I also want to warn you in advance ... I did not spare the calories when making these brownies!

Let's just say that they are not on the Weight Watchers plan!!

BYU Mint Brownies

Brownie ingredients

3 3/4 cubes butter (melted)

1 1/8 cup baking cocoa

3 cups sugar

6 eggs

3 tsp vanilla

2 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp baking powder

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degree. Combine in a mixing bowl: melted butter, cocoa, & sugar.

Add eggs 1 at a time. Then add vanilla, flour, & baking powder. Pour in a greased cookie sheet and bake for 20 minutes. While brownies are baking prepare the frosting.

Mint & Chocolate Frosting

1 1/2 cubes of butter

3 3/4 cup powdered sugar

1/2 cup evaporated milk

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

Mix all ingredients together. Split the frosting into 2 bowls (lending a little more for the chocolate).

In the mint bowl, at 1 tsp mint extract, and blue food coloring. Set aside.

In the chocolate frosting bowl add 1/3 cup cocoa and stir until smooth.

When brownies are cool, spread mint frosting evenly over the top.

(The edges of the brownies might be crunchy, so I usually cut them off.

I usually don't put the frosting all the way to the edges)

*** Place brownies in fridge for about 15-30 minutes to allow frosting to harden.

Spread chocolate frosting very carefully by making small dollops of the frosting on top of the mint. That way it will be easier to spread.

Place again in fridge until ready to serve!

MINI CARMEL APPLES

I did a lot of trial and error with these cute little apples, and I think I finally got down the method.

Here is a step by step with pictures ... but I recommend reading through my instructions as well for a few detailed tips.

Collect ingredients & tools : Large red apples, (Green typically taste better, but again ... we are going for color on this party folks!) Lemon juice, melon baller, sucker sticks, carmel (See below for my homemade recipe), white chocolate chips, sprinkles.

** These will taste better if made the day of your party!!

1. Use a melon baller to make a small circle in your apple.

2. Place a stick in the middle of your apple ball.

3. Dip in lemon juice (helps it to not brown)

4. Dip in Carmel. ** BEST if you place in fridge for at least 30 minutes before going forward)

5. Dip in white chocolate, and then in sprinkles.

6. Place in a mini muffin pan (or parchment paper works good too)

to help the apples form and stand up straight.

Homemade Carmel

1 cube butter

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 cup karo syrup

2 cups brown sugar

Combine all ingredients and boil in a pan until you get to a softball stage.

CANDY JARS

These cute jars I found at Ikea for $3.99 each. These can be used in so many ways, so I felt the investment for this party will be well worth it!

The licorice, pretzels, and cinnamon bears were in the bulk bins at Macey's Grocery store. However the fruit sours and taffy can be found at BYU Bookstore. You can even order them online here!