What to Serve?
The guys are coming over tonight to watch the Giants-Redskins game. What do you place in front of a group of ravenous guys who are going to watch a football game in your den?
They are usually starved when they arrive and will eat the arms off the couches if they are not fed. Somehow images of lions and gladiators in the Roman Coliseum keep popping into my mind. Watching athletic events is somehow very conducive to stirring the appetites of sports fans. Even the outrageous prices of food and beer at baseball games does not prevent fans from consuming and imbibing.
In the past I have served a large variety of food to the guys. These included pizzas (with pepperoni), spare ribs, barbecued chicken, salami, pretzels, Chee-tos, Fritos, popcorn, nuts, kosher pickles, various types of olives, potato chips, beer (of the expensive and inexpensive variety), soda (diet and non-diet), wines (both red and white), ice cream and a large fruit bowl with pineapple, melons, blueberries, watermelon, kiwi and strawberries. These are gobbled up swiftly and heartily.
Post-game is time for cakes and coffee and tea. Lorraine, my wife, delights in feeding this group and she is in charge of the desserts. I guess it reminds her of feeding our three children who are gone and leaving us with an empty nest.
Not that these gentlemen come to game time empty-handed. Six packs of beer (all varieties) and salted chips come with them. Bottles of wine appear and when my cousin’s wife arrives she brings an assortment of home-baked cakes and pies.
I guess it is my fault for not presenting the same boring menu each time they arrive. Maybe it is my suppressed desire to have become a great chef instead of a mere dentist.
During the game, the reaching for food, and devouring of edibles is secondary. The game is the “thing.” High points and low points in the action come and go, but the eating and imbibing are constant.
Is it better to sit alone in my den and watch the action or is it more fun to be part of a group? No question! The activity and the conversation is terrific and it enhances watching the sporting event.
What will I serve tonight? I have not decided yet. But rest assured, it will be something new and interesting. Any suggestions will be appreciated.
