First Annual Packers vs. Bears Party (and a recipe)

Matt and I have a mixed football marriage. He is a Packers fan, I am a Bears fan. Today we hosted the First Annual Hanneman Packers vs. Bears party and decided to feature Wisconsin and Chicago foods and drinks. We had a Wisconsin cheese platter, homemade queso dip, Gino's East pizza, beer boiled brat bites with sauerkraut and stone ground mustard, pretzels, buffalo chicken dip, and a selection of New Glarus beers and Stump's bloody mary mix and hot olives. And then our friends all brought plenty of other good stuff. (New Year's resolutions start tomorrow, right?)

Packers won. So, that means at next year's party W will be wearing a Packers t-shirt (ugh), which is the deal we've agreed to: W wears winning team's t-shirt for the following year's party. Consider this your save the date.

Happy little Bears fans (and one half fan).

Can you tell the majority of guests were Bears fans and wouldn't even touch a Packers cookie?

Here is the recipe for the queso dip I made. It's scary good. My mother-in-law got it from her former hairdresser way before Southwestern food had made its way to Wisconsin. She's been making it ever since and it's pretty incredible. I recommend using a fondue pot (this is the only thing I actually make in ours), but you could use a non-stick pan.

Queso: Melt 2 T butter and add 1 chopped onion, a 4 oz. can of chopped green chilies, and 3-4 finely chopped jarred jalapenos. Saute until tender. Add 15 oz can of tomato sauce. Then mix in 1/2 lb. of shredded cheddar cheese and 1/2 lb. of shredded swiss cheese. I've also added monterey jack. Stir often. Delicious.