Game Group Food

As we were coming home from our first gaming group, both my husband and I commented that we were still hungry, despite it being potluck and felt a little queasy....the gist was that while everyone brought food, most people brought "snacks" and "junk" rather than anything substantial, leaving you feeling out of sorts by the end of the night.  Plus we have little kids - who we want to eat something other than chips and cookies! 

So I always made sure to bring a main dish to share after that....and now that we run our gaming group, I always try to make sure I have something in the crock pot that will actually serve as dinner - versus a snack.  I find my crock pot is my best friend here as the food stays warm all night and people can eat as they come and go.  I've never had the food not vanish!

Next time you go to a potluck...think main dish versus snack!  Snacks are fine....but your group needs more than that and if no one else steps up, why not you? Plus honestly it usually isn't that much more expensive to contribute!

You'll notice a lot of soups - bread usually almost always comes so this typically pairs nicely!

Here are some ideas that I've use (all recipes are from my website and you can browse there for more...no ads on it, this is just my personal file box!)

• Cauliflower Cheese Soup
• Cheeseburger Soup
• Chicken Noodle Soup
• Chicken Tacos
• Wild Rice Soup
• Broccoli Cheese Soup
• BBQ Chicken Sliders

One of my other "go tos" is meatballs. I either buy meatballs in bulk at Sam's Club or I make my own, but then just toss FROZEN meatballs in the crockpot with a jar of spaghetti sauce (I sometimes throw a few spices in, sometimes not...always a little sugar...a trick from my MIL!) and cook on high for 3-4 hours. 

Meatballs (the full recipe is for Salisbury meatballs, which are great, but I just make the meatballs and freeze separately so I can use them however I want)

1 tray (about 6 lbs) ground beef (we mixed in some ground turkey as well the first time, I recently did this with moose meat)

3 cups bread crumbs

2/3 cup milk

4 eggs, lightly beaten

1/4 cup minced onion

2 tbsp minced garlic

1 tbsp salt

2 tsp black pepper

 

Want some dip ideas for the crock pot (I do love a good dip!)

Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Cheddar Bacon Ale Dip

10 for 10 Update

So we figured out where we are on the 10 for 10 challenge.  We each have four that we haven't even gotten to the table.  With summer coming up, hopefully we should make more progress on this!

Ray:
1812: 1
Artificum
Carson City
Warhammer Quest
Powerplay: 3
Run, Fight or Die: 4
Eminent Domain
Imperial Assault: 9
Islebound: 1
Lords of Waterdeep: 1

Jennie:

Suburbia: 1
Ticket to Ride
St. Petersburg
7 Wonders Duel: 4
Carcassone: 2
Harry Potter: 6
Imperial Settlers
Dice City: 2
Dominion: 1
Viticulture

Spinach and Artichoke Dip

I made this over break several times - I love it and it is very easy! I mean what's not to love? And I adore artichokes.....

This is a great game day recipe as it is well liked and stays warm in the crock pot while you are playing.

Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Modified from Taste of Home

2 cans (14 oz each) artichoke hearts, drained and chopped [this says water packed, but I can never find that so I just rinse them.]

2 pkg (10 oz each) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

1 jar (15 oz) Alfredo sauce

1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, cubed

2 cups (8 oz) shredded Italian cheese blend

1 cup (4 oz) shredded mozzarella cheese

1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

1 cup milk

2 garlic cloves, inced

crackers or chips, for dipping

 

In greased 4 quart crock pot, combine all but the dipping stuff.  Cook, covered on low 2-3 hours or until heated through.  Serve with crackers or chips (or whatever you want).

Serves 32.