(Family Features) Football season is back, and that means it’s time to stock up on all the tailgating essentials. Nailing the food lineup is key because few things can ruin a good game like getting “hangry” before kickoff. This year, kick your game up a notch with simple tailgating recipes that bring the perfect blend of flavor and heat. These easy recipes will get you enjoying the festivities in no time, whether you’re tailgating at the stadium or homegating on your couch.

No matter which team you and your friends are rooting for, there’s one thing that all football fans can agree on: wings are the MVPs of game day. Wings have been holding the line ever since 1964, when Frank’s RedHot was the key ingredient in the first-ever Buffalo wings.

After all these years, there’s a reason wings keep their defending champ status: they’re easy to make and a surefire way to deliver that classic Buffalo flavor. Just bake the wings for half an hour to get that crispy coating, toss with your two-ingredient buffalo sauce and you’re all set. Serve them up with blue cheese dressing and celery sticks and you’ll be on your way to the ultimate tailgate.  

In order to make sure you’ve got the win locked in, have more than one play in your back pocket. Turn to another tried-and-true, one-pot classic: chili.

Don’t overthink it – all you need to do is brown some ground beef, add some onion then crushed tomatoes, beans, hot sauce and seasoning. All you need is 15 minutes to build flavor and you’re good to go. Even easier, let your slow cooker do the work. Finish it off with shredded cheese, scallions, sour cream and more hot sauce, and you’ll have the hearty chili you need to keep the tailgate going strong. Enjoy your chili on its own or spoon it on top of hot dogs, nachos and whatever else you have on your plate.

For more tailgate tips and great-tasting game day recipes, visit franksredhot.com/recipes.

Buffalo Chicken Wings

• 2 1/2    pounds chicken wing pieces 
• 1/2       cup Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce
• 1/3       cup butter, melted 
• blue cheese dressing
• celery sticks

1. Heat oven to 450° F.
2. In foil-lined pan, bake wings 30 minutes until crispy, turning once.
3. In bowl, combine sauce and butter.
4. Toss wings in sauce to coat completely.
5. Serve with blue cheese dressing and celery sticks.

Chili

• 2          pounds ground beef
• 1          large onion, chopped
• 1          can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes in puree
• 1          can (15-19 ounces) kidney beans, undrained
• 1/4       cup Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce
• 2          packages (1 1/4 ounces) chili seasoning mix
• shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
• scallions (optional)
• sour cream (optional)

1. In large, nonstick pot, cook beef until browned.
2. Add onion; cook 3 minutes. Drain.
3. Stir in tomatoes, beans, sauce and seasoning mix. Heat to boiling. Stir often.
4. Simmer, partially covered, 15 minutes, or until flavors are blended. Stir often.
5. Garnish, as desired, with shredded cheddar cheese, scallions and sour cream.

Source: Frank’s RedHot

(Family Features) Just like your favorite sports team, hosting a winning big-game party or tailgate takes planning, preparation and teamwork. To make your festivities fun-filled, remember these entertaining tips that are sure to score big with your fans.

Scatter the refreshments. Help direct movement and traffic flow by setting up food stations. Using different rooms or areas helps prevent congestion and encourages guests to mingle. Try placing finger foods and other appetizers in a couple of locations, beverages in another area and desserts in yet another space.

Embrace variety. Take into account taste preferences and dietary needs, and have an assortment of food and drinks available. Offer spicy options along with less seasoned dishes, both indulgent and better-for-you treats, plus an array of beverages for drinkers and non-drinkers alike.

Build your roster. If your party is a potluck, encourage guests to sign up for dishes so you don’t end up with multiple versions of the same thing. Create a discussion group online, or simply ask guests to indicate what they’ll bring along with their RSVP.

Don’t forget the dips. Wings are a tailgating staple, and dips are a great way to complement those zesty flavors or cool the heat, but you may find yourself in a team rivalry when it comes to the preferred dip at the game day bash: ranch or bleu cheese dressing? Both pair well with a range of wing flavors, so these dips are sure to be crowd pleasers. The delicious combination of fresh herb and vegetable flavors make Litehouse Homestyle Ranch a perfect party choice, and Litehouse Chunky Bleu Cheese features fresh buttermilk, homemade mayonnaise and a blend of spices as the backdrop for award-winning artisan blue cheese chunks that will make your fellow sports fans cheer for more.

Expand on tradition. Tailgating is a time-honored tradition, and the food lineup is often based on familiar fare. Along with those fan favorites, don’t be afraid to put some new flavors into play, such as these Sticky Sesame Chicken Wings that add a tangy ethnic flair to traditional wings.

Find more game day recipes at LitehouseFoods.com.

Sticky Sesame Chicken Wings

Yield: 4 servings
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes

• 1/4       cup flour
• 1/4       teaspoon salt
• 20        chicken wings
• 3          tablespoons soy sauce
• 2          tablespoons sesame oil
• 1/2       teaspoon Litehouse Instantly Fresh Garlic
• 3          tablespoons water, divided
• 1/2       cup brown sugar
• 1          tablespoon cornstarch
• sliced green onions, for garnish
• sesame seeds, for garnish
• celery sticks (optional)
• Litehouse Homestyle Ranch and Chunky Bleu Cheese Dressing

1. Heat oven to 400° F.
2. In large bag, combine flour and salt. Add chicken wings and shake to coat. Discard any leftover flour.
3. Line baking sheet with foil and spray with pan spray of your choice. Place wings in single layer on baking sheet.
4. Bake wings 40-45 minutes, turning halfway through.
5. In sauce pan over medium heat, combine soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, 2 tablespoons water and brown sugar. Whisk together remaining water and cornstarch, and pour into sauce. Bring to boil then simmer until thickened.
6. When wings are done, toss with sauce, garnish with green onion and sesame seeds, and serve with celery sticks, ranch and bleu cheese dressing.

Source: Litehouse, Inc.