Grandma's Game-day Spread

Grandma’s Game Day Spread

Let’s travel back to the good ole’ days this year. Back when Grandpa and the uncles and whoever else showed up on game day to gather around that huge brown box that held the TV. A bunch of hungry, game rabid men need their sustenance, Grandma style. Guaranteed to be a hit that began generations ago and will keep going for generations to come. (I promise, you’ll want to print this for safe keeping.)

Grandma wore an apron made with old dish-towels and I’m serious when I say she had a passion for cooking to the point that her glasses would steam up and she still kept at it without so much as a pause to clear the fog. And to top it off, her name was Bertha. I kid you not.

Game day started out with her famous fried cheese balls with chili mayonnaise:

For cheese balls

2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese

1 cup fine bread crumbs

12 Drops of Worcestershire sauce

1 egg, beaten

Oil for frying

(This makes about 20 cheese-balls--double recipe as necessary.)

For chili mayonnaise

1 cup mayonnaise

6 tablespoons chili sauce

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper or grated fresh peppers

To make cheese balls: line large cookie sheet with 2 layers of paper towels (Grandma used dish-towels but we don’t have to.) In bowl, combine all cheese-ball ingredients (But not the oil.)

Roll mixture into one inch balls and set aside.

Heat one inch of oil in a large, heavy skillet or electric skillet and fry balls in batches of 4 to 6, until golden brown, turning once (about 2 minutes per side) then remove with slotted spoon to paper towels. Serve immediately or keep warm in 200 degree oven.

To make chili mayonnaise: Combine all ingredients and mix well. Chill until ready to use.

Next up: Classic Club Sandwich time!

I really don’t know who invented the club sandwich, but I do know that Grandma was known for blocks around on game day for serving these up in never ending quantity, and she didn’t even have to steam her glasses up to do it. The traditional club sandwich uses turkey, which grandma did. But you can also use chicken. Grandma wouldn’t mind.

Ingredients (For 12 whole sandwiches, or 48 quarters--Increase or decrease as needed.)

1 pound deli sliced turkey, or chicken

1 pound deli sliced ham

12 slices of cheddar cheese

36 slices white bread, toasted & crusts removed (3 loaves)

12 lettuce leaves (The big outer layer ones)

Mayonnaise

24 slices, medium (1/4" thick) Tomatoes

24 strips cooked Bacon (about 2 packages)

How to Make a Club Sandwich

Making a club sandwich can be as easy or as elaborate as you like.

First Layer: Spread the mayo on one side of lightly toasted bread. Add turkey, tomato and cheese (be sure to put the tomatoes in the middle so the bread doesn’t get soggy).

Second Layer: Spread the mayo on one side of lightly toasted bread. Layer ham, bacon and lettuce.

Spread the mayo on one side of lightly toasted bread.Top with the final slices of bread, secure with cute sandwich picks and cut into quarters.

Grandma served these with her potato salad and giant dill pickles, and sometimes with big bowls of Ruffles chips.

Lastly, Grandma’s Peanut Butter Marbled Fudge:

This is a simple recipe, but it doesn’t taste simple. Oh no. It tastes like Grandma spent all day in the kitchen, but the truth is, she was on the back patio with a cool lemonade and a cheesy 70‘s romance novel before the game was even heating up. Go Bertha!!!

3/4 cup butter

1 16 ounce bag (1 lb.) of powdered sugar

1 cup chocolate chips

1 cup peanut butter

Melt butter in saucepan, remove from heat. Add chocolate chips and beat well. Add powdered sugar and beat well. Add peanut butter and mix until just marbled. Pour/press into buttered 8 inch pan (metal or glass.) Chill, cut into squares. Makes 2 pounds.