Today I’m sharing some Shrimp & Grits RITZ® Crackers and a delightful football cooler DIY.
Recently, my husband asked me if I’d like to take a little trip to California for this year’s “Big Game”. I adore my husband, but with a cookbook in its final phases of edits and a million other projects happening, a quickly approaching trip to watch a football game (that our team isn’t playing in mind you) just wasn’t on my radar. With no plans for going out of town, however, I knew I needed to start thinking about how I wanted to decorate for my husband’s favorite watch party of the year…and what I was going to feed him. The Shrimp and Grits RITZ® Crackers are ridiculously addictive and the Football Party Beverage Coolers are insanely easy and take only minutes to create.
I can’t entirely take credit for the idea. I’ve seen the terra cotta pots painted and used as football themed candy bouquets, but I knew I wanted to use them as beverage coolers instead. True to my philosophy of glamming up any football gathering, I grabbed the glitter green spray paint and went to town (it doesn’t show in pictures well but the green pots sparkle!).
All you need is multi size terra cotta pots, some spray paint, and some white electrical tape. If you’re unable to find the pots without the hole in the base, you’ll need to fill the hole before putting in your ice.
Simply spray the pots and add the lines. Easy peasy. You could even use a white paint pen if you’re confident with your ability to draw straight lines. I filled plastic grocery bags with ice then placed more ice on top making sure to cover the plastic completely. I also added a dishtowel into the bottom of each just to absorb the melted ice. Add in your favorite Coca Cola products and you now have a centerpiece working overtime- decorative and functional!
You may be noticing that I moved my party outdoors. Boys can be loud, y’all and when you add a big game of football into the equation it’s best they just watch the game outside. Obviously, I realize that some of you may be reading this and live in area where you actually have winter weather. Down here, it’s nothing that one of those stand heaters won’t solve.
To keep things festive and not just toss the guys outdoors, I covered the patio table with outdoor carpet and used my Football Party Beverage Coolers as the centerpiece. The carpet is inexpensive and makes much more of an impact than a tablecloth. And it’s reusable! I also added some color-coordinated ribbon to my curtain ties and pulled out that lemonade stand I refuse to part ways with- it’s perfect for a “snack stand”.
On my snack stand, I’ve got some Shrimp and Grits RITZ® Crackers, Taco Flavored Popcorn, and game-day appropriate chocolate cake.
Let’s talk about those crackers, shall we?
Starting with a RITZ® Cracker base, topped with a bit of pimiento cheese grits, and adorned with a salsa-spiced shrimp. Finish off with a bit of green onions for garnish.
I call them rowdy because watch what happens when you run out!
Super easy to make:
- 1/3 cup Salsa
- 1 pound package shrimp, thawed and deveined
- Pimiento Cheese Grits:
- 2 cups milk
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup quick cooking grits
- 1/2 cup pimiento cheese
- Green onions, chopped (garnish)
- Begin by sautéing the shrimp in a medium sized pan with 1/3 cup salsa. Cook the shrimp until they are pink throughout, about 2-3 minutes. Set aside.
- Prepare the cheese grits by adding the milk to a medium sauce pan over medium heat and bring to a boil. Whisk in the grits and salt and pepper, bringing to a boil and stirring occasionally- about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the pimiento cheese.
- To assemble the crackers, place 24 Ritz crackers out a serving platter, top with a bit of the pimiento cheese, one shrimp, and garnish with green onions.
Do you have plans to celebrate the big game coming our way so very soon? Do you also make your husband go in another room?
For more inspiration and recipes : Ritz® Crackers Recipes
For a ton of game day recipes & ideas from evite: Coca Cola Homegate
Look for the game day displays at your neighborhood Albertson’s.
First time I have came across ones of your post. I love the ideas you have for a game and I fully intend to use your decor and your food ideas as well . Thanks and You now have a new fan.
Hi Becky! Welcome!! Thank you for the kind words, I’m so glad you stumbled on my site. 🙂
These sound great ! But I have never heard of Pimiento Cheese before. Who makes it ?
I’m a northerner, but has a southern heart,as my son & family lived in Georgia for 20 +
years.And each visit my heart was drawn there.
Hi, Betty! Now that I think of it, I’ve never shopped for Pimento cheese while being up north so I’m not sure if it’s sold there. It would be located by the shredded cheese, in a small plastic container, and sort of orange. My new cookbook coming out this May on QVC has a recipe for homemade and included with a burger. Here’s how I do it when I don’t want the processed stuff:
1 large pimento or sweet bell pepper, halved
olive oil
sea salt to taste
1 pound sharp white Cheddar cheese
4 tablespoons mayonnaise
¼ cup minced red onion
½ teaspoon garlic
½ teaspoon black pepper
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
Place the pepper halves on a baking sheet and brush with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Roast until the skin is blistered, about 15 minutes. When cool enough to handle, remove the peels, chop, and place in a small bowl. Set aside.
Shred the cheese and place in a large bowl. Add the mayonnaise, red onion, garlic, black pepper, and peppers. Fold the mixture until the pimentos are mixed throughout the cheese and the mayonnaise has binded with the cheese. Add salt to taste. Serve with crackers, on finger sandwiches, or mixed in a burger as done here.