This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of XFINITY. The opinions and text are all mine.
Throwing the perfect party for the big game doesn't have to be complicated. In the end, all that really matters is that you have good food, good times, and your team wins, right?
There are though, a few things you'll want to make sure you do to ensure you have the perfect party for the big game.
First things first. Make sure you can get the game. We're Comcast subscribers. Our X1 from XFINITY service has been fantastic when it comes to watching movies and television as a family. To make sure we are ready for the big game, we had a tech come out to check out connections and Kyle found something!
Comcast Business quickly fixed our problem and now we're ready for Sunday. Good thing! No one wants your cable going out in the middle of a big play!
Here's what makes X1 a "game changer"
The first thing? Voice control. Whether you're looking for the highlights from last year or the big game in San Francisco, voice control makes it easy to find all things football. During your party, it's okay if guests are hanging out in different rooms. X1 lets you turn any device in the home into a television where you can watch the game on laptops, tablets or phones. Miss a play? Want to see it again? X1 allows you to rewind and watch it again.
XFINITY customer? Use the X1 Sports App, which provides key game stats, facts and updates happen.
There are two methods to quickly access the Sports app on X1.
While watching full-screen TV (not using the guide), press the C key on your remote to open the Sports App.
or
Press the XFINITY button on your remote control.
Using the right arrow button, scroll to highlight Apps. Press the OK button.
Now that you've got your TV under control, let's talk about the party food for the best football watching.
Keep your party set up simple. Consider using disposable dishes for easy cleanup – it's an easy way to make things festive (especially if you buy plates/napkins etc that showcase your favorite team.)
For me, watching the big game means comfort food like brisket, coleslaw, beer cheese dip and other snacks. My advice? Make things easy on yourself. Pick and choose what you make and what you buy. Your store's deli counter is your friend, I won't tell. You can also get your friends to bring food too.
Fun ideas to make thing festive include making brownies (but cutting them to look like footballs) or buying premade cookies or cupcakes in your team colors.We've been working on perfecting our beer cheese dip recipe, experimenting with different cheeses and beers until we've found the perfect flavor. It really comes down to personal preference, but we've found a combination we think is delicious.
Beer Cheese Dip
12 oz shredded sharp cheddar cheese
12 oz IPA beer
1 ½ tbsp. cornstarch
5oz evaporated milk
1 tablespoon coarse ground mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Tabasco to taste
sea salt to taste
Instructions
1.Toss the shredded cheese and cornstarch until coated, and set aside.
2. Whisk together beer, milk, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce in a medium saucepan. Heat over medium heat it starts to steam. You'll want to whisk frequently to avoid scorching.
3. Add cheese mixture and stir until it starts to bubble and it's thickened. Add hot sauce and season with salt to taste; serve immediately. You can transfer it to a fondue pot with a warmer at this time if you'd like.
Our favorite thing to dip in the beer cheese is party bread, but the kids love to dip pretzel sticks. If you want to pretend to be healthy, you can set out crudités.
Best thing about beer cheese? It stores really well, reheats like a dream (just heat and stir) and if you're making it for a big crowd? Double batch it! The alcohol cooks out too, so it's safe for kids. You can try different beers or even cheeses to vary the flavor.
We're so excited for The Big Game on Sunday and X1 is going to make it easy. I'll let you know a little secret. You know that other phrase for "the big game" – hit the button on your X1 remote and ask to watch it on Sunday. The remote knows.
Are you an XFINITY subscriber? Are you ready for the big game?
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of XFINITY. The opinions and text are all mine.
