With the Olympics and the Euros this month, we look at the dead-easy snacks you can prepare for the lads without putting even down your beer.
There’s nothing like having the lads over to watch your favourite sporting event, whether it’s the Formula One in Baku, the European Premier League, or the Korean Women’s Beach Volleyball finals – whatever your passion, game nights are all about fun, competition, and the odd cheeky refreshment. However, being a good host means more than wearing a bottle opener on a chain around your waist – you need to ensure appetites are also sated. Fortunately, we have you covered with these dead-easy game night snacks.
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Buffalo Chicken Wings
A staple of any self-respecting sports broadcast, these spicy little bastards will get the blood flowing.
Ingredients:
- 1kg chicken wings (disjointed are easier to prepare and to eat)
- 1/2 cup hot sauce (like Frank’s RedHot)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
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Instructions:
Pat the chicken wings dry before dusting with salt and pepper. Layer your wings across the bottom of an air fryer – try not to overpack the the basket and cook in batches if required. Cook for 25-30 minutes at 180 degrees Celsius until crunchy on the outside. While they’re cooking combine the butter, garlic powder, vinegar, and hot sauce in a bowl. Once cooked, move the wings to the bowl (a ziplock bag also does the trick), add your sauce and give everything a solid coating. Serve your wings with the classic sides – blue cheese sauce and fresh stems of celery.
Of course, if you’re not feeling it, there’s a man down the road who knows more about wings than anyone in the city.
Maki Tacos
Chef Tommy Tsui of the recently opened WAKARAN in Wan Chai suggests something a little left of centre with his Maki Tacos, which are deceptively easy to make.
Ingredients:
- 2 cup diced raw sushi-grade salmon, tuna or scallops (or if you prefer grill beef or chicken strips)
- 4 cups steamed rice
- 1 packet dried nori seaweed
- 1 packet rice paper
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Instructions:
Briefly soak the rice paper in water and layer it on top of a large piece of nori seaweed. Allow the mixture to air dry so they stick together. Next, place it in hot oil for a quick deep fry to maintain its crispy texture. Finally, as it cools down, fold the shell into the shape of a taco and fill with rice, sashimi or grilled meats, and condiments like corn, avocado, mango salsa or even spicy mayo – the taco’s DIY construction makes it fun and easy to do in front of the game.
Loaded Nachos
An ideal grazing dish, when it comes to nachos you can go as minimalist as a Swede or as OTT as a Texan depending on how hungry the lads are and what colour you want your living room carpet to be.
Ingredients:
- 1 bag tortilla chips
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (mozzarella also works)
- 1/2 cup each of black beans, drained and rinsed; corn kernels, diced tomato
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives, sliced jalapeños, and chopped green onions
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup guacamole
- Salsa for serving
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Instructions:
Another great air fryer option, line the basket with baking paper to reduce the mess, and then begin layering your tortilla chips (thicker are better). Top each layer with a combination of the cheese and vegetables (you can throw in some cheeky bacon too) and then repeat the process, ensuring not to leave holes between layers so that all that goes goodness stays put.
Cook for 3-5 minutes and then lift the whole mess – baking paper and all – straight out of the basket and onto a board or large plate. Throw on the sour cream and guacamole in spoon-sized dollops and Bob’s your rather crafty uncle.
Mini Pizzas
Hand-friendly and customisable, mini pizzas are what the ancient Romans ate at the Colosseum (Ok, maybe not, but they cold have) so they’re perfectly suited for lads feeding with one paw and casting profanities at the referee with the other.
Ingredients:
- 1 package refrigerated biscuit dough (pita bread also works)
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Toppings (pepperoni, diced bell peppers, sliced mushrooms, olives, etc.)
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Instructions:
As easy in the air fryer as they are in the oven, simply flatten each dough ball into a disc and top with a tablespoon of tomato sauce (best not to get too excited as too much sauce can make the dough soggy), then a layer of cheese, and a sprinkle of your favourite toppings. Because the cook time in the air fryer is only three minutes, you can take orders or unleash the lads to create their own signature pie.
Stuffed Mushrooms
An option for our vegetarian friends, these fantastic fungi are packed with flavour and count against your two and half servings a day.
Ingredients:
- 20 large button mushrooms (you may be tempted to go straight to portobello but that’s a rookie move)
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (optional)
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Instructions:
Give thoe mushrooms a gentle wash and remove the stem with a knife. In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper and then, using a heated spoon, scoop one dollop of mixture into each mushroom cavity. If you’re feeling a little fancy you can top with breadcrumbs, which will give a little crunch. Place the mushrooms on a baking sheet inside the air fryer or on an oven tray and cook for four minutes or 15-20 minutes respectively until the tops are golden brown.
BBQ Cauliflower Wings
A favourite of Dan Blucert, executive chef and co-founder of foodie pub The Duke of Greenwich, these super popular BBQ cauliflower wings are not only salty, sweet and smoky but they’re probably good for you!
Ingredients:
- 1 cauliflower
- 50g Duke of Greenwich BBQ rub (or whatever rub you can find)
- 200ml soy milk
- 20ml lemon juice
- 100g rice flour
- 1 bunch spring onions
- 20g garlic mayo
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Instructions:
Break cauliflower into florets and steam for eight minutes. Mix soy milk and lemon juice together and then mix the rice flour with the BBQ rub. Dredge the cauliflower in the flour mix then the milk, and then the flour mix again, ensuring a good, even coating. Deep fry at 175 degrees Celsius for four minutes until crisp, or pop them in the air fryer for six minutes or until they resemble the real thing. Finish with salt, garlic mayo and spring onions.
Sweet and Spicy Meatballs
Whether you’re using a fork or getting fancy with a toothpick, the humble meatball is a hero among single-handed snacks and lengthy IKEA visits. If you’re feeling creative, make the meatballs from scratch or simply buy the frozen variety for a time-saving alternative.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 kg lean ground chicken or turkey
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp of each: garlic powder, ground ginger, chilli powder
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce for mix (+ 1/4 cup for glazing)
Instructions:
If you’re taking the more complicardo route like a true sports day hero, mix the breadcrumbs, parmesan, salt, and spices together in a large bowl before adding the ground chicken, egg, and the sweet chili sauce. Create your own little team of meatballs and cook them on each side for eight minutes at 200 degree Celsius. Brush the remaining sweet chilli sauce on top and air fry an additional two minutes.
If you’re going the Swedish route, simply dump your frozen meatballs in a saucepan and add the chili sauce (a little grape jelly or cranberry sauce also goes a long way). Stir to ensure an even coating and cook for 20 minutes on high until the sauce is bubbling and the meatballs are heated al the way through.
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