Chef Paul O’Toole CEC/AAC, Executive Chef – Deerfield Golf & Tennis Club

December, January, and the first few days of February bring die-hard football fans (and even some of you very casual fans) so many chances to gather in front of the flat screen. Whether it’s the college bowl games, the NFL playoff games, or the Super Bowl, big games abound at this time of year.

That means it’s time to put on your favorite team’s colors, cheer for every touchdown, or for some, mourn the end of your team’s end-of-season. It also means big crowds – and big appetites – in your family room all month long! Sure, you can keep that pizza delivery man coming back and forth to your house until he knows your address by heart. But this season, think about celebrating your team’s success in style with some interesting culinary creations that can come right from your kitchen.

One great way to get started is to begin with some traditional football favorites – and I will mention three stand-by’s here – sandwiches, pizza, and chili. However, don’t be afraid to jazz it up a bit. You don’t want your guests thinking you just opened up a can or slapped together something simple, do you?

Bring On The Blitz – And The Sandwiches…
First, a great sandwich has to start with great bread. Hit your local baker or better grocery store and pick up some great Italian bread, a freshly baked loaf of sourdough, or some delicious focaccia bread. A great sandwich can be made very ordinary by using boring bread – don’t do it! Then, choose interesting proteins to make your sandwich more memorable.  Freshly carved turkey breast (like we serve in Deerfield’s Grille At The “D”) makes such a difference.  Season it liberally before roasting it and slicing it nice and thick. Or, you can try marinating a tuna filet in soy sauce and sesame seeds – or dust with Italian Seasoning and some freshly cut basil – and grill it to a nice medium temperature. Add some fresh vegetables like lettuce and tomato or some sautéed red onions and you’ve got something as good as any you’ll find in a downtown deli! Last, but not least, perk up your mayonnaise with some flavors your guests will love.  Old Bay and some lemon juice or cayenne pepper and a little hot sauce can make out of the jar mayo seem much more special with just a few stirs of the spoon. Serve these with some crunchy dill pickles and your favorite chips and you’ve got a killer “kickoff” to your game-time party plans.

Hand Off – The Pizza…
There are some great grocery store pizza dough options out there if you’re not up to “doing your own dough.” Take advantage of them! Just like with your sandwich choices, try something different!  A white pizza loaded with tons of garlic, butter, cheese, and topped with spinach is whole lot more interesting than your old-fashioned pizza sauce and pepperoni option.  Or kick up your pizza plans with taco toppings sure to keep your team on the winning track! Top your pizza dough with ground beef drained very well to keep your dough from getting soggy. Add some shredded Monterey Jack cheese, diced onion, sliced bell peppers, and (if you’re daring), some finely chopped jalapeno peppers. Once it’s out, you can top it with a little taco sauce. To cool things down a bit, add some sour cream when you’re ready to slice it up. Try piping the sour cream onto the pizza in a criss-cross design by filling a small plastic bag with the sour cream and cutting a tiny hole in the corner.  The football fans in your house will score big!

Go Deep – With Chili…
Okay, so is there anything better for game time than a hot bowl of chili? Whether you’re huddled in a cold parking lot with all the other tailgaters or in the comfort of your living room, make chili a sure-fire winner for the big game. However, don’t be afraid to try something different!  White chili chock full of white beans, chicken broth, onions, garlic, Monterey Jack cheese, and green chile peppers provide a zesty way for you to take chili to a new place!  If wings are more your style, create a fun and delicious Buffalo Wing Chili using shredded chicken, thickly diced celery, wing sauce, and blue cheese for something really spicy. Top with some crumbled blue cheese and serve beside some celery stalks and the gridiron faithful in your house will be clamoring for more! If you want to get really adventurous, pick up some bread-bowls or tortilla bowls and even what you serve the chili in will be special.

So now you’re ready for the big games!
Don’t worry – you can still call the pizza guy back in a pinch.  But you’re prepared for every punt, pass, kick… and bite. Curious for more? Just email me at ChefPaul@DeerfieldGolfClub.com and I will send you a game time recipe or two that will keep your fans going wild.

Testimonials:
“I wanted to extend my thanks to your staff for going over the top, and pleasing everyone.  All of our guests stated how delicious the food was. The next time we have an occasion to plan, we will think only of how well we were treated at the Deerfield. Thank you again for making our day special!”      ~Carl Faller

“Thank you for making our daughter’s wedding day so spectacular. We could not have chosen a more elegant venue.  The day truly could not have been more perfect. We will continue to sing your praises.”      ~Mike and Terry Early

“We really had a blast (at our wedding) and thought that everything came out very well. We were quite happy with Deerfield and will certainly recommend it and you to anyone seeking advice about where to have an event. I can’t tell you how many compliments we heard from our guests regarding the food and drinks, the beauty of the location, the room, and the facilities. Everyone was very pleased, and that made us very, very happy.  We definitely feel like we made the absolute best choice in choosing Deerfield.”      ~Tanisha and Aaron Goldstein

Chef Paul O’Toole CEC/AAC is the Executive Chef at Deerfield Golf & Tennis Club. For more information on how to celebrate in style, contact 302-368-6640 or email Chef Paul at chefpaul@deerfieldgolfclub.com. Deerfield Golf & Tennis Club hosts weddings, parties, corporate functions and special events for up to 500 guests. Call 302-368-6640, visit www.deerfieldgolfclub.com, or email dfinfo@deerfieldgolfclub.com for more information.

chefpaul@deerfieldgolfclub.com