Your field is the kitchen, and you're happy to be in there all day prepping homemade jalapeño poppers and making pizza bagel bites from scratch while everyone else is watching the game.
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Serious Eats / Inma Hortas
Maybe you’re only interested in the NFL [Taylor’s Version], or maybe you’re frustrated by the dearth of mathematical expressions in Formula 1. Either way, your friends are over, your coasters are working overtime, and you…you have zero interest in camping out in front of the TV.
It’s OK. These deeply researched riffs on casual party fare will give you an excuse to slink off to the kitchen. These are the dishes to turn to when you long to be as engrossed in a kitchen project as your guests are engrossed in stoppage time.
You could try to learn the offsides rule again, or you could make everyone onion rings. The choice is clear.
Jalapeño poppers
Serious Eats / Qi Ai
These poppers might look indistinguishable from the commercial versions you’d find in the freezer section, but the taste is anything but. The breading technique is foolproof. I can say this with confidence, as I have made these poppers, and I am a fool.
Get Recipe: Jalapeño poppers
German pretzels
Serious Eats / Andrew Janjigian
Sure, this recipe will prepare you to lecture your guests on the full taxonomy of German pretzels. But if you want them to stay, you should probably let the pretzels’ tender innards and chewy, chestnut-brown crusts speak for themselves.
Get Recipe: German pretzels
Cheesy fried potato skins
Vicky Wasik
I don’t care if the game is down to penalty kicks and the mascots are hitting each other with hammers. No one is going to be looking at the screen when you bring in these golden brown, extra-deep potato cups filled with raclette cheese and wee little slices of cornichon.
Get Recipe: Deep-Fried Potato Skins With Melted Raclette Cheese
Homemade Bagel Pizzas
Photograph and video: Vicky Wasik
When being the kind of person who makes their own bagels isn’t enough for you, try being the kind of person who makes their own bagel dollhouse miniatures.
Get Recipe: Homemade Bagel Bites
Onion Rings
J. Kenji Lopez-Alt
This heavily researched recipe adjusts the textural sliders to optimal levels for beer-battered onion rings that are crisp but not crumbly, with a coating that’s coherent but not too thick.
Get Recipe: Onion Rings
Homemade Potato Chips
Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik
Years ago, I mocked a restaurant for calling chips “acidulated crispy potatoes.” I am willing to revisit my stance on pretension, but only for these.
Get Recipe: Homemade Potato Chips
Real-Deal Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Vicky Wasik
What do you get when you combine a dry brine and dry rub? One of the most moist sandwiches you’ve ever had. This pork shoulder can take up to 15 hours to smoke, making it an ideal pairing for the 1985 World Snooker Championship.
Get Recipe: Real-Deal Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Lomo Al Tropo
J. Kenji López-Alt
Tired: Beef Wellington. Wired: “beef tenderloin in a towel.” Thrust yourself back into the center of attention by flambéing this at the table without warning (theatrics aside, the fuss-to-reward ratio is super high).
Get Recipe: Lomo Al Tropo
Philly Cheesesteaks
Serious Eats / Amanda Suarez
Bored with the game? Bring the brawl to your living room by asking hungry guests if you should use provolone or Whiz.
Get Recipe: Best Philly Cheesesteak
Funnel Cake
Serious Eats / Morgan Glaze Hunt
Are your friends celebrating? Bring them a funnel cake. Are they staring morosely at the TV? Bring them a funnel cake. It’s impossible to eat one sadly.
Get Recipe: Easy Funnel Cake
