Food Ideas?

[bubbajit]

Looking for Food ideas for Championship Tourney Night.

Would like something inexpensive and not messy. I spend all my money on poker supplies and doesn't leave alot for feeding my guests.

My poker nights are usually pretzels and water and maybe some pop. It is always bring your own whatever else you want. Only rule is it cannot be greasy, sticky or messy if you want to eat at the table.

I was thinking of throwing a pot of chilli on the stove, but then I would have to watch it and we are playing in the basement. So that is out.
Sandwiches, but how much do I need for 12 people. What cheese? No pizza place close to my house so I would have to pick it up before tourney.
Any good idee'ers out there?

BTW Someone will finally get to win the Bracelet from a HPT giveaway.

[Detroitdad]

Use a crockpot for

meatballs, hotdogs, wings (their a little more expensive though), cheese/taco dips, ect...

[bubbajit]

Use a crockpot for

meatballs, hotdogs, wings (their a little more expensive though), cheese/taco dips, ect...

Don't own a crockpot. 

[brianb10]

Check out this thread for some good food ideas....
http://forums.homepokertourney.com/index.php/topic,426.0.html

It may not fit the not messy requirement, but I serve BBQ pork sandwiches at my tourneys.  I just don't let anyone eat them at the table.  We usually do a food break anyways where everyone leaves the game room.  The recipe is on page 5 of the above thread if you're interested.  They are definitely easy and cheap.  It also serves quite a bit.

Don't own a crockpot. 

I can't imagine life without my crockpot.  Both my wife and I work so it is invaluable for being able to eat good meals during the week.  I highly recommend them.  They are generally pretty cheap if I remember right, I have had mine fro quite a while now but I recall paying about $40 st Sam's Club.  Get the kind with the removable insert, makes cleaning a breeze.  Also the larger oval size are more versatile than the tall and round ones.  Mine came with two inserts, one of which was divided in half so you could have say chili on one side and cheese on the other.

[Wedge Rock]

Made these for the Michigan/Michigan State game this year...


Station 1: Slit the dogs, add ketchup/dijon paste, add cheese, add kraut/onions


Station 2: Wrap in bacon


Station 3: Stack for the grill (note the two to the left with no kraut...why even bother?)


Finished dogs:



Bacon-wrapped stuffed hot dogs recipe

[Detroitdad]

Bacon-wrapped stuffed hot dogs recipe

Wedge,

Would you marry me

[djexacto]

Is there a Costco near you?  Here they have those huge square take and bake pizzas for really cheap, and they're actually really good.

[bubbajit]

Is there a Costco near you?  Here they have those huge square take and bake pizzas for really cheap, and they're actually really good.

I will check those out.

[austin5string]

Bacon-wrapped stuffed hot dogs recipe

Wow... just... wow....  those look amazing...

Reminds me of this..

http://www.holytaco.com/if-i-die-bacon-related-death-id-it-be-because

[brianb10]

Bacon-wrapped stuffed hot dogs recipe

Wow... just... wow....  those look amazing...

Reminds me of this..

http://www.holytaco.com/if-i-die-bacon-related-death-id-it-be-because

I'd feel a lot better with myself if I died eating that rather than dying while exercising like Jim Fixx

[austin5string]

Wait a minute - I just got an even better idea.   

Leave the bacon off the dogs that Wedge posted, and instead, wrap each dog in one of the woven-bacon-cheese-death-mats that I posted. 

PERFECTION!!!!!!!!!

[links_slayer]

Those hot dogs look like a garden salad compared to these:

Hamdog

I've seen these in person, but never had one.  Hot dog wrapped in raw beef and bacon, then deepfried and smothered with chili, cheese, onions, and a fried egg.  And because this is America, order a Diet Coke with it.

[austin5string]

Those hot dogs look like a garden salad compared to these:

Hamdog

I've seen these in person, but never had one.  Hot dog wrapped in raw beef and bacon, then deepfried and smothered with chili, cheese, onions, and a fried egg.  And because this is America, order a Diet Coke with it.

Yummmmmmmm

[Figurelli]

To the bacon/hotdog poster, you are allowed free admission to my tournaments if you are ever in Seattle, but you must bring me that creation.

[Detroitdad]

WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!

Its Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Hot Dogs for dinner tonight!!!!! 

[Detroitdad]

Can't wait until dinner time!!!!


First off, normal dogs weren't going to do. I bought the 1/4 pound doggies!!!!







Oh, and because I'm health conscious were using wheat sub buns

[Wedge Rock]

First off, normal dogs weren't going to do. I bought the 1/4 pound doggies!!!!

I shoulda mentioned this...  its an absolute must.  Regular dogs don't give you much room for stuffing them...

[Detroitdad]

First off, normal dogs weren't going to do. I bought the 1/4 pound doggies!!!!

I shoulda mentioned this...  its an absolute must.  Regular dogs don't give you much room for stuffing them...

I also used two pieces of bacon per dog

[Wedge Rock]

I also used two pieces of bacon per dog

That's just forward thinking right there.

[R-Ho]

I also used two pieces of bacon per dog

Oh, and because I'm health conscious were using wheat sub buns

I love this thread.

[Detroitdad]

I would like to thank Wedge again for introducing these to me. They turned out fricken delicious.

I almost cooked them in the oven, but at the last second decided to use the grill (oven would have sucked).

Everyone in the house loved these!!!

Later that night my wife commented again on how good dinner was, but that she could still taste the dogs. Jake immediately sounded off and said "thats just bonus then", then asked when were having that again.

B

Next time I will use Habenero Cheese!!!

[R-Ho]

For a poker party or otherwise.  Try Jerk Pork Tenderloin slices wrapped in lettuce with cilantro.  Easy to make and not messy when serving.

Buy a whole pork tenderloin 2-pack weighing about 5 pounds, from Costco, at $2.79 a pound.

Marinade it using the recipe on this link:http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Jerk-Chicken-11457 but we are not going to make chicken, we're going to make pork, and we're going to broil not grill, but grill if you want.

Make these shortcuts/changes to the marinade reicpe:

Don't bother to chop the scallions (green onions); just cut them in pieces that fit into the food processor. You don't even need to cut off the roots.
Use 4 or 5 habaneros, not the lame 2 that the recipe suggests. You don't need to mince them, just cut off the tops, split them in half, and remove the pith and seeds. Put the cleaned halves into the processor.
You can throw the garlic cloves in the processor whole; there's no need to chop them.
Squeeze the juice of a whole lime into the recipe, don't bother measuring.

Should be able to make the marinade in about 15 minutes.

Cut your tenderloins into 1/2 inch slices. Put the slices in a gallon ziploc bag or two and add the marinade.  Squeeze the bag to mix the marinade around.  Let it sit in the fridge for a couple hours and then cook the pork pieces under the broiler.  Lots of liquid is released so use a broiler rack or similar that drains to a lower pan.  Cook for a few minutes, turning once or twice, don't overcook, the pieces do not not need to be browned very much. You will need to broil in two batches, they take up a lot of room.

Wash the leaves of two heads of green or red leaf lettuce, or boston lettuce.  After the pork is cooked, have the guests wrap a pork slice in a piece of fresh lettuce along with some fresh cilantro leaves.  Serving is not messy because the pork ends up fairly dry on the outside. With the cilantro, your guests will be torn as to whether it is Thai or Jerk, but will beg for the recipe either way.

Cost: Pork $14, Lettuce, $3, Scallions $1, Limes $1, Cilantro and Habaneros $1.  Total $20.  Serves eight to ten as a light entree.

R-Ho

[TheGymKid]

Pizza Bagels... Sams club (Cosco, BJ's) !!

[hhawks1818]

some easier snack ideas:
Nachos - a dish of salsa, and a pot of melted nacho cheese (can throw in like red peppers or jalepenos for a little more flavoring)
a veggie tray
soft pretzel bites
peanuts - except they can get a bit messy
some chips-ahoy/oreos for dessert

[Klobberer]

I do italian sausage and peppers and onions on hoagie rolls sometimes, avoids the tomato sauce and they are still good after they have cooled some.  Buy a crock pot!

[TK]

Jalapeño Poppers

1 bag of frozen whole Jalapeños (I grow my own and freeze them in the fall just before the first freeze) or 30 fresh Jalapeños
1 8oz block of cream cheese
1-2 lb of bacon, slice pieces large enough to wrap around jalapeño

Slice Jalapeños in half lengthwise and remove seeds and stems.

Fill cavity with cream cheese, wrap with bacon pieces and pin with tooth picks.

Place on broiler pan and broil for 15-20.  Keep an eye on these.  You want the bacon to be crispy and the cheese to be melted.


Jalapeño Duck Poppers

1 Bag Frozen Jalapeño Peppers or 30 Fresh Jalapeños
1 1/2 Duck Breasts
1-2lb Bacon

Slice Jalapeños in half lengthwise and remove seeds and stems.

Cube Duck Breasts in to 1" cubes

Place one cube of duck in cavity of jalapeño, wrap with bacon piece and pin with toothpick.

Grill over medium heat for 10-15 mins.  Careful, bacon grease creates some great flare ups.  Just ask the hair on my hand.

Hint: Soak toothpicks in water for 30 mins before creating and grilling.  Will keep the toothpicks from burning.

[LabRat]

This is always a big hit at my games and it's super easy to do:

Hanky Panky

1 lb ground beef
1 lb bulk Italian sausage
1 brick Velveeta cheese
Garlic Powder
Thyme
Loaf or two of little rye appetizer bread.


Brown ground beef and sausage in skillet.  Drain.
Stir in cubed Velveeta and sprinkle in garlic powder and thyme to taste.  Cook until cheese is melted.

Lay out rye bread on baking sheet and top with a spoonful of mixture on each piece.

Bake 10 minutes @ 350 degrees.



Nice thing about it is it's a greasy food, but the grease stays on the food, not your chips and cards.

[LabRat]

Use a crockpot for

meatballs, hotdogs, wings (their a little more expensive though), cheese/taco dips, ect...

Don't own a crockpot. 

Step one - Buy a crockpot.

[brianb10]

I am really a big fan of pork for parties since it is cheap, serves a lot, can be prepared a bunch of different ways and well because it's pig 

Anyways, since I don't want to do BBQ pork sandwich every time this past Saturday I did pork tacos and they turned out great.  It was cheap too, the pork was $8 and the fixings was probably another $10.  You need a crock pot for this but as others have said you should get one if you don't already have one.

Fajita Taco's
5-6 pork shoulder roast or "Boston Butt"
3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons chili powder (I use a 50/50 mix of hot and mild)
2tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons salt (I prefer Kosher, if using table cut this in half)
2 tablespoons ground cumin
2 tablespoons Oregano (if you can find it use Mexican oregano, if not regular is fine)
1 teaspoon onion powder (not onion salt, if thats all you have omit the salt from above)
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder (again not garlic salt, fresh garlic will be fine as well)
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (can adjust depending on how hot you like it,)
1/4 - 1/2 cup water

Place pork in crock pot, fat side up.  Mix all remaining ingredients except water in a bowl and pour over top of the pork.  Add 1/4 - 1/2 cup of water to almost submerge pork (about 3/4 of the way up).  Cook on low 8-10 hours.

When done, remove pork to a cutting board.  It well be very tender and will probably fall apart when you touch it.  Remove the bone if you bought a bone in cut (cheaper).  Using two forks, shred the meat removing the large fat pieces that should be on top.  You can drain the liquid from the crock pot and de-fat it (like you would do for Au Jus on a roast beef) or you can leave it in (I leave as is).  Place the meat back in the crock pot with as much of the liquid as you would like.  I prefer to keep all the liquid in there and let it simmer in the juice.  Leave the crock pot on warm.

Set up a taco bar with tortillas, lettuce, cheese, sour cream, salsas, whatever you like.  Let folks make their own tacos.

Sounds messy I know but I don't allow eating at the tables, we always come upstairs and eat during the breaks.  These went over very well on Saturday, one guy ate 8 tacos he liked them so much.

PS you could also just use a commercial fajita seasoning blend if you don't have all the individual seasonings or want to make it even easier.  Use one that you like and just mix with the vinegar and water.

Enjoy!

[Dr. Neau]

How about some Hot Pockets?

Seriously though...next cash game I host is going to be "Gourmet Panini Night". I can't get enough of my panini maker.

[links_slayer]

My uncle makes these snacks where he mixes a pound of ground beef with a jar of cheese whiz, spreads it on a piece of that square rye cocktail bread..whatever the hell it's called...and broils it until the meat is brown.  Seriously, they're so white trash but they're pretty good finger food.

[TK]

I totally forgot about this idea till I was walking through probably our most expensive grocery store in town this afternoon.

1 Full Ring - Garlic Sausage
1 Bottle of your favorite Bar-B-Que Sauce (I'm really liking the Jack Daniels stuff right now, but will also fall back on Cookies)

Grill the ring over a medium heat till there is no pink left in the sausage.  If you have to cut in during cooking, to check color do it in several spots.

Remove sausage from grill, cover with tin foil and allow to sit for 5-10.  Slice in to 1/2" thick "coins".  Place on a plate.

Set out toothpicks so your guests can stab pieces as they like.  Let them pour their own sauce as they like.

I love garlic sausage, but the meat place that made it closed down 5 years ago.  I knew this place had a (expensive) meat counter (the only place in town to get crab legs, lobster tail, and shrimp), but I didn't know they were making their own sausage.  I got half a roll just to try when the wife is out of town on Wed!