A Winning Snack Buffet

1957 - my dad and me. Unfortunately, I did not get his prowess on the basketball court.

It's NCAA tournament week. It's time for basketball and for the hoops version of a tailgate party.

From upper left: Cheese Popcorn, chips (purchased), Toffee Snack Mix, Wholly Guacamole, Chipotle Raspberry Black Bean Dip, shrimp cocktail (purchased), Recipe links are at the bottom of this post.

We'll be in Manhattan - AKA the Little Apple - for the annual Kansas Master Farmers/Homemakers convention. But we will definitely find a television to watch our K-State Wildcats take on Michigan State this evening in the Big Apple. Go 'Cats!

Toffee Snack Mix

Pretzel Bites.

During the preseason, our Wildcats were predicted to finish at the bottom of the Big 12. And now they are dancing in the Sweet Sixteen. New coach Jerome Tang had just two players to work with when he became head coach a year ago. He put together a ragtag team through the transfer portal. He and the team call it CRAZY FAITH, and they put together a magical season. And, in the meantime, he generated positive change across the student body and the entire Wildcat Nation.

You can put together some magical treats - whether you're cheering for the Wildcats or another team or you just like basketball.  Yes, it's the second weekend of games in the NCAA tournament. Maybe you reached your quota last weekend with games from morning to night on four different TV stations. But basketball enthusiasts still love the game - and the snacks. 

If you're looking to add to your NCAA snack buffet, here are some tried and true options from Kim's County Line. As always, I don't share recipes unless they are get the thumbs up after I've made them here at home.  You can always search my blog for tried-and-true recipes. Type in "sandwiches," "meatballs," "snack mix," "drop cookies," "dips," "bar cookies," etc., in the search engine in the upper lefthand corner of the blog. It will give you lots of options.

Visit the links below for the recipes:

 

 Chipotle Raspberry Black Bean Dip 

Photo from Cooking for Keeps. For more information and lots more about the recipe, go to the Cooking for Keeps blog.

 

WARNING: Neon yellow fingers are a side effect of this snack. Cheese Popcorn.

 

If you want to get really fancy like a popcorn specialty shop, combine cheese popcorn and Caramel Corn. (Click here for the Caramel Corn recipe.) 

Wholly Guacamole

Baked Brie

Team Spirit Munch

Deli Slices

 

Southwest Ranch Cheese Dip

 

Oven-Baked BBQ Ribs AND Sweet & Sour Baked Beans

BBQ Meatballs - Make them full-size or bite-sized

Chili Lime Tacos with Grilled Pineapple Salsa 
Homemade Guacamole

 Cheesy Pull-Apart Sliders

 Zesty Italian Wraps

Turkey Club Pinwheels

Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip

 

Lemon Muddy Buddies

 

Super Snack Mix-Up

 

Brownies for a Crowd

Butterfinger Blondies (I'm hoping the Michigan State Spartans have butterfingers tonight.)

Peanut Butter S'Mores Bars

 

Gridley Cheese Ball

 

Baked Ham Harvest Sandwiches

(aka Funeral Sandwiches)

 

No Moral Victories, But ...

There's no such thing as a "moral victory" on the football field. "Shoulda, woulda, coulda" doesn't have a place in the rankings at the end of the year.

I guess the No. 5-ranked Auburn Tigers were the cats that had nine lives last Thursday night, as they pulled out a 20-14 victory. But even though K-State couldn't get the win, I still walked away proud to be a Wildcat.

From the roar of the pre-game flyover ...

to the roar of the Harleys ...

... to the roar of the crowd ...

... It was a great day to be a college football fan.

Brent says he doesn't remember the stadium ever being louder. I would have to agree. ESPNU College Road Trip hosts Rayven Tirado and Jordan Eichenblatt came to the Little Apple last week. Eichenblatt grew up in SEC country, so he didn't know what to expect from K-State football fans.  Tirado told K-State Sports reporter Kelly McHugh:

"It was definitely a lot better than I thought it would be. The hospitality was great. From the moment we walked into our room, everybody has been so genuine, nice and helpful. Being a part of the game day experience here, it's been a lot more intense than I thought it was going to be. You never know coming in what it's going to be like, but overall, it was great here."

Rayven Tirado

They saw and experienced our traditions, like the keys at kickoff ...

Good for a Wildcat first down!

And good for a Wildcat TOUCHDOWN! (Wish we'd had another one of those!)

I get perturbed at fans who boo our own players. But I also know they represent a small minority of the Wildcat Nation. Most of us are proud to be Wildcats, win or lose.

I'm anxious to see the College Road Trip segment on K-State this coming Wednesday, September 24, at 5 PM CT on ESPNU. The show will also air at 10:30 PM Wednesday and at 8 AM and 3:30 PM on Thursday, September 25.

We sat with Brent for the Thursday night game, then traveled to Topeka to spend Friday with Jill, Kinley and Brooke. All around, it was a FAMILY weekend ... just how we like it!