(Family Features) Cozying up to the fireplace or snuggling deeper into a favorite blanket or throw are sure ways to warm yourself on cold days. For an extra touch of coziness, adding a favorite snack to the occasion can help you relax and release the stresses of the day.

Consider a versatile ingredient like popcorn that can help enhance wintertime treats as one of America’s most beloved foods. The seed-to-snack simplicity of popcorn makes it easy to enjoy by the handful on its own or as part of a tasty recipe served by the fire.

This Cinnamon Chocolate Popcorn takes just minutes to prepare and combines two delicious flavors in one easy treat. Quick and delightful, it’s sure to become a family favorite, particularly during the cooler months when chilly forecasts call for comforting snacks.

To find more winter desserts and pop-able snacks, visit popcorn.org.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Cinnamon Chocolate Popcorn

Yield: 3 quarts

• 3          quarts popped popcorn
• butter-flavored nonstick cooking spray
• 9          tablespoons powdered cocoa mix (cocoa sweetened with sugar or sugar substitute)
• 3          teaspoons cinnamon

1. Place popcorn in large bowl and lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Sprinkle cocoa mix and cinnamon on popcorn. Toss to coat evenly. Serve immediately.

Source: Popcorn Board

(Culinary.net) If you’re looking for a new dip for your next get-together and tired of the same boring salsas and layered dips, this Cowboy Caviar may quickly become a family favorite.

Also known as Texas Caviar, this bean salad can be a hit with loved ones at birthdays, holidays, graduations, reunions and more. It serves well with tortilla chips but can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Plus, it’s a breeze to make and can be even simpler when prepared the night before your big event.

Visit Culinary.net to find more quick and simple appetizer recipes.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Cowboy Caviar

• 1          can (15 ounces) sweet corn
• 1          can (15 ounces) black beans
• 1          bunch cilantro
• 3          Roma tomatoes
• 2          jalapenos
• 1/2       red onion
• bell peppers (mix of green, red, orange and yellow, as desired)
• tortilla chips, for serving

Dressing:

• 1/3       cup olive oil
• 1/3       cup red wine vinegar
• 1          tablespoon honey
• 1          tablespoon paprika
• 1          lime, juice only
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste

1. Drain and rinse corn and black beans; dry well.
2. Finely chop and dice cilantro, tomatoes, jalapenos, onion and bell peppers.
3. To make dressing: Combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, honey, paprika and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
4. Mix vegetables with dressing. Serve with tortilla chips.

Source: Culinary.net

(Family Features) Before the end zone dances and sideline celebrations, settling in for a winning game day experience starts with delicious foods. Whether your football parties take place at home, in the backyard or right outside the stadium, kicking it off with savory appetizers can get the crowd on its feet.

Keep your game plan simple this season and light up the scoreboard with fan favorites like dips and wings. These versions are both easy to prepare and can be enjoyed fresh or made in advance and kept warm or reheated to energize your fellow diehards.

Visit Culinary.net to find more touchdown-worthy tailgate recipes.

Add Savory Spice to Game Day Celebrations

Powering up for a successful game day starts with a pregame spread, and no tailgate or homegate is complete without a spicy dip that brings the heat.

This Game Day Buffalo Chicken Dip is a perfect solution for firing up your crowd as it requires little preparation so you save precious time before kickoff. Whether you bake shortly before the game begins or make it ahead of time for a parking lot party, simply keep it warm and serve with chips or veggie sticks for a quick, shareable appetizer.

Game Day Buffalo Chicken Dip

Servings: 3-4

• 2 cups shredded chicken
• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, plus additional for topping, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 heavy pinch dried dill
• 1/2 cup hot sauce
• 2 green onions, chopped
• blue cheese crumbles
• chips
• vegetable sticks

1. Heat oven to 400 F.
2. In bowl, mix shredded chicken, cream cheese, sour cream, 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese, onion powder, garlic powder and dried dill until combined. Add hot sauce; mix until combined.
3. Transfer mixture from bowl to oven-safe dish. Top with additional shredded cheese, to taste.
4. Bake until cheese is melted, approximately 15 minutes.
5. Top with blue cheese crumbles and chopped green onion.
6. Serve warm with chips and vegetable sticks.

Score a Touchdown with a Game Day Dip

One of the best ways to take tailgating to the next level this season is by making healthier versions of classic game day fare. For example, you can be the MVP of your game day gathering with a delicious, hall-of-fame-worthy appetizer. Call an audible by using fresh, easy and healthy ingredients to make it better for you and score extra points with family and friends.

This Game Day Taco Dip takes fan-favorite flavors – beef, refried beans, salsa, guacamole, sour cream, cheese, tomatoes and black olives – and adds a twist with the Fresh Express Butter Supreme Salad kit. This tasty, colorful blend of green butter lettuce, red butter lettuce, radicchio and baby chard is available in the refrigerated produce department and is perfect for creating healthier versions of beloved tailgating dips, snacks, finger foods and more.

Visit FreshExpress.com to discover more winning game day recipe ideas and find a retailer near you.

Game Day Taco Dip

Prep time: 25 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Servings: 12

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 package (1 ounce) taco seasoning
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tablespoons minced cilantro
• 1 can (16 ounces) refried beans, zesty salsa flavor
• 1 jar (16 ounces) thick and chunky salsa, medium or hot
• 2 cups guacamole
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 3 packages (5 ounces each) Fresh Express Butter Supreme
• 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup tomatoes, chopped
• 1 can (2 1/4 ounces) sliced black olives, drained
• 1 package (14 ounces) tortilla chips

1. In skillet over medium-high heat, cook beef 5 minutes, or until no longer pink. Sprinkle with taco seasoning; mix well. Add water; cook 2 minutes, or until water is absorbed. Transfer to bowl; cool to room temperature. Add cilantro; mix well.
2. In 9-inch pie plate, evenly spread refried beans; top with seasoned ground beef and salsa. Add spoonfuls of guacamole across top of salsa then carefully spread to smooth.
3. Place sour cream in small resealable bag; cut off corner. Pipe sour cream to create football shape on guacamole.
4. Put pie plate in center of 15-by-18-inch tray. Arrange salad blend around pie plate. Top with cheddar cheese, tomatoes and olives. Serve with tortilla chips.

Just Wing It

Skip the silverware at your next homegate and dive right in with a fan favorite that requires just your hands and a heap of napkins: wings.

Whether you pick through your pieces or clean each wing to the bone, these Game Day Chicken Wings are perfect for eaters of all types. A simple flour-based coating keeps the recipe easy to make and baking in the oven means you can skip the messy fryer or firing up the grill.

Cook until crispy then corral your party’s favorite dipping sauces from ranch and blue cheese to barbecue and more. Once your spread is served, it’s time to sit back and enjoy the game.

Game Day Chicken Wings

Total time: 50 minutes
Servings: 4

• 1/2 cup butter, cubed
• 1/3 cup flour
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 10 chicken wingettes, thawed
• dipping sauces (optional)
• fresh parsley (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 425 F.
2. Line baking sheet with foil. Arrange butter cubes on foil.
3. In medium bowl, combine flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
4. Coat both sides of wings in flour mixture then evenly space among butter cubes on baking sheet.
5. Bake wings 30 minutes.
6. Turn wings over and bake 15 minutes, or until crispy and fully cooked.
7. Serve with dipping sauces and sprinkle with fresh parsley, if desired.

Source: Fresh Express

(Family Features) Nothing makes family time special quite like a homemade meal, especially one made with locally sourced ingredients that are as fresh and flavorful as they are thoughtfully prepared.

Whether your gatherings with loved ones take place in the family kitchen, on the patio or at a picnic area, this Asparagus, Bacon and Egg Salad makes for a perfect brunch or appetizer that leans on local ingredients like Michigan asparagus, which takes just about three days to get from the field to your table. Grown by more than 100 family farmers, it can be found in your local store at 1-4 days old, compared to 10-20 days old for imported asparagus.

Local means fresh, which makes for an especially delicious meal, but it also means sustainability. Because the Michigan asparagus season relies on the weather and uses rainwater instead of irrigation, it makes for a sustainable product that’s environmentally friendly.

As a nutrient-dense, low-calorie vegetable with no fat, no cholesterol and little sodium, it’s also easy to prepare – just don’t overcook it. Look for thicker spears at the store, as they tend to have greater texture and more flavor and tenderness because the fiber is less concentrated.

Visit michiganasparagus.org to find more flavorful recipes to share with your nearest and dearest.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Asparagus, Bacon and Egg Salad

Recipe courtesy of Ashley from “Cheesecurd in Paradise” on behalf of the Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board

• 6          bacon slices
• 1          pound fresh Michigan asparagus, ends trimmed
• 1/3       cup olive oil
• 2          tablespoons champagne vinegar
• 1          tablespoon honey
• 1          tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4       teaspoon salt
• 1/2       teaspoon black pepper
• 4          hard-boiled eggs, peeled and quartered
• 2/3       cup halved cherry tomatoes
• 1/4       cup sliced green onion

1. In skillet, cook bacon until crisp. Remove from pan. Set aside.
2. Cut asparagus into four pieces. Add asparagus to same skillet used to cook bacon. Cook until fork tender, about 4 minutes, depending on thickness of asparagus.
3. While asparagus cooks, prepare dressing. Whisk oil, vinegar, honey, mustard, salt and pepper. Set aside.
4. Chop bacon.
5. Remove asparagus from pan and place on platter. Top with chopped bacon, eggs, tomatoes and green onion. Pour dressing over top.

Source: Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board

(Culinary.net) Powering up for a successful game day starts with a pregame spread, and no tailgate or homegate is complete without a spicy dip that brings the heat.

This Game Day Buffalo Chicken Dip is a perfect solution for firing up your crowd as it requires little preparation so you save precious time before kickoff. Whether you bake shortly before the game begins or make it ahead of time for a parking lot party, simply keep it warm and serve with chips or veggie sticks for a quick, shareable appetizer.

Find more ways to turn up the heat on game day at Culinary.net.

If you made this recipe at home, use #MyCulinaryConnection on your favorite social network to share your work.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Game Day Buffalo Chicken Dip
Servings: 3-4

• 2          cups shredded chicken
• 8          ounces cream cheese
• 1/2       cup sour cream
• 1 1/2    cups sharp cheddar cheese, plus additional for topping, divided
• 1/2       teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2       teaspoon garlic powder
• 1          heavy pinch dried dill
• 1/2       cup hot sauce
• 2          green onions, chopped
• blue cheese crumbles
• chips
• vegetable sticks

1. Heat oven to 400 F.
2. In bowl, mix shredded chicken, cream cheese, sour cream, 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese, onion powder, garlic powder and dried dill until combined. Add hot sauce; mix until combined.
3. Transfer mixture from bowl to oven-safe dish. Top with additional shredded cheese, to taste.
4. Bake until cheese is melted, approximately 15 minutes.
5. Top with blue cheese crumbles and chopped green onion.
6. Serve warm with chips and vegetable sticks.

Source: Culinary.net

(Family Features) When dining outside with your loved ones, there are few things better than a tasty dish the whole family can enjoy. This Chipotle Chicken Flatbread makes for a perfect al fresco meal.

Prepared along with a fresh salad or simply enjoyed by itself, this flatbread is simple to make and even kids will love adding the toppings and sauce. It’s colorful and fresh, making it a perfect addition to get-togethers on the patio.

Plus, the cooking time is only 16 minutes, which makes this a quick and delicious solution to defeat.

For more al fresco recipe ideas, visit Culinary.net.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Chipotle Chicken Flatbread

Adapted from butteryourbiscuit.com

• 2          flatbreads
• 2          cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1          clove garlic, diced
• 4          chicken tenders, cooked and cubed
• 1          pint cherry tomatoes, quartered
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste
• 1/2       cup ranch dressing
• 1 1/2    teaspoons chipotle seasoning
• 2          tablespoons cilantro leaves, chopped

1. Preheat oven to 375 F.
2. Place parchment paper on baking sheet and add flatbreads. Sprinkle cheese on flatbreads. Top with garlic, chicken and tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bake 16 minutes until cheese is melted.
3. In small bowl, mix ranch and chipotle seasoning.
4. Drizzle ranch dressing on flatbread and sprinkle with cilantro leaves.

(Family Features) Back and forth action for four quarters keeps fans on their feet, but a mouthwatering menu is what homegating and tailgating are truly all about. Keep your crowd energized by loading your game day playbook with recipes that are just as exciting as the game itself.

Meld together traditional tailgate tastes with these Jalapeno Bacon and Salsa Biscuit Bites from celebrity chef and entertainer George Duran, author of “Take This Dish and Twist It” and host of Food Network’s “Ham on the Street” and TLC’s “Ultimate Cake Off.” They’re perfect for serving during the pregame festivities to power up your fellow diehards or as a halftime snack to recharge for a second half surge.

Starring the vibrant flavor of Fresh Cravings Salsa and its homemade-tasting alternative to softer, duller blends of jarred salsa, this appetizer offers a savory solution you can enjoy all season long. Made with high-quality ingredients like vine-ripened tomatoes, crisp vegetables, zesty peppers and spices, the salsas make a perfect addition to a variety of recipes to take homegating to the next level.

Visit FreshCravings.com to find more homegate recipes worthy of the hall of fame.

Jalapeno Bacon and Salsa Biscuit Bites

Recipe courtesy of chef George Duran
Yield: 16 biscuit bites

• 1          tube biscuit dough (8 biscuits total)
• 7          ounces grated mozzarella cheese
• 1/4       cup jarred jalapenos, chopped
• 8          slices cooked bacon, chopped
• 1          cup Fresh Cravings Restaurant Style Salsa
• nonstick cooking spray

1. Preheat air fryer to 350-360 F.
2. Divide each biscuit in half by pulling apart in centers. Use hands to flatten each biscuit into circles. Set aside.
3. In bowl, mix mozzarella cheese with chopped jalapenos, bacon and salsa.
4. Add heaping spoonful into each flattened biscuit and pinch each together tightly to form balls. Top each with small amount of salsa mixture.
5. Spray nonstick cooking spray in air fryer and, working in batches, cook biscuit bites 6-9 minutes until golden brown.
6. Serve warm.

Note: If air fryer access is unavailable, biscuit bites can be baked 8-10 minutes at 400 F in oven, or until golden brown.

Source: Fresh Cravings

(Family Features) Add a healthy twist to happy hour at home with a nutritious snack that goes perfectly with your favorite beverages. When gathering family and friends for a weekend toast or just winding down after work, these Prune, Mozzarella and Basil Skewers make for a nutritious and delicious addition to the party.

Rich and smooth with an ability to enhance various flavors, California Prunes are a versatile ingredient that allows you to expand your menu. In this recipe, prunes help form a palate-pleasing snack that delightfully combines sweet, salty and savory flavors.

In addition to their versatility, prunes provide important nutrients for your bones, including vitamin K and copper. When they are served with mozzarella – a good source of calcium – you get a perfect power pairing that supports your bone health and satisfies your snack cravings.

Visit CaliforniaPrunes.org to find more recipe ideas from morning to night.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Prune, Mozzarella and Basil Skewers

Prep time: 5 minutes
Servings: 5

• 5          pieces prosciutto, halved lengthwise (optional)
• 10        California Prunes
• 10        basil leaves
• 10        cherry-size mozzarella balls

1. If using prosciutto, fold each half in half lengthwise so width of prune is wider than width of prosciutto. Starting at one end of prosciutto, wrap one prune; repeat with remaining prosciutto. Set aside.
2. Wrap one basil leaf around each mozzarella ball then thread onto skewer. Thread one prune or prosciutto-wrapped prune onto each skewer.

Source: California Prunes

(Family Features) Whether you’re hosting a big game party at home or hitting the road to join friends and family, scoring a touchdown with the crowd starts by supplying superstar snacks.

As one of the most popular foods at many watch parties, the options are endless when it comes to America’s favorite guac. From spicy versions with a cayenne pepper kick to bacon-loaded recipes worthy of a trophy, what’s your guac of choice? Check out these game worthy recipes, and surprising facts from Avocados From Mexico.

A Hall of Fame-Worthy Food

Did you know that guacamole from all of the avocados sold for big game parties could fill an entire stadium 12 feet high? You can join the millions of game watchers who plan to enjoy their guac with this Championship Guacamole recipe, a real craving crusher that can help make your crowd go wild. Smooth, crunchy, smoky and salty flavors all team up to sack hunger with a bacon blitz.

Spark Good Times

Light a fire under your crowd this year with Victory Guacamole, a perfect party recipe sure to spark good times. Take your tacos to the next level or dip a chip in this fiery recipe. Just one taste will win you over and victory is always good.

From the Farm to Your Table

If you’re eating guacamole during the big game, it’s likely to come from No. 1-selling Avocados From Mexico. During January and leading up to the big game, more than 95% of avocados in the U.S. come from Mexico, according to the Hass Avocado Board. Michoacan is the state in Mexico where avocados grow all year and can meet the U.S. demand due to its rich volcanic soil, natural irrigation and unique topography.

With a unique combination of good health (with naturally good fats and nearly 20 vitamins and minerals) and good taste, adding avocados to your big game party sparks good times.

To find more information about avocados, explore AFM’s digital kitchen and find even more guacamole recipes, visit avocadosfrommexico.com/big-game/kitchen.

Source: Avocados From Mexico

Appetizers are many people’s favorite part of a meal. From dips and finger foods to little treats and fried pieces of perfection, there is a wide array of considerations for a pre-meal snack.

Some appetizers are much more appropriate at certain events. For example, buffalo chicken wings are best enjoyed on game days, salads are normally served at showers and vegetable trays are a typical Thanksgiving Day classic.

However, there are recipes that are too easy to make and too satisfying not to serve at almost every festivity you and your family attend. This Easy Crab Rangoon shines above the rest for many reasons, but the main point of this heavenly sample is it’s easy to make and bake.

This appetizer is placed in the oven until it’s golden brown, topped with little green scallions with a creamy filling all packaged in a crispy outer layer.

Plus, the cream cheese is mixed with luscious amounts of crab meat. This is a seafood lover’s dream. Actually, it’s any appetizer lover’s dream. 

To make this mouthwatering recipe, you only need a handful of ingredients and a few kitchen tools.

The little bites of perfection come out of the oven steaming hot, waiting to be topped with more crunchy, fresh scallions. Once they have cooled for a few moments, they are ready to be devoured.

This bite-size, savory snack will be all the rage at family dinners and parties with the kids alike. They fit perfectly in the palms of hands and within a few bites, they are gone and your loved ones are asking for seconds.

Find more appetizer recipes that are simple and made to impress at Culinary.net.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Easy Crab Rangoon

Servings: 12

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 12        wonton wrappers
• 4          ounces cream cheese, softened
• 4          ounces lump crabmeat
• 1          scallion, sliced thin, green and white parts separated
• 1          teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
• 1          teaspoon soy sauce

1. Heat oven to 350 F.
2. Spray muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray. Press wonton wrappers into muffin cups. Lightly spray wrappers with nonstick cooking spray and bake until lightly browned, 6-9 minutes. Let cool slightly.
3. In medium bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Combine with crabmeat, scallion whites, ginger and soy sauce. Fill each wonton wrapper with filling. Bake until filling is heated through, 6-8 minutes.
4. Sprinkle with scallion greens. Serve warm.