Private football party

We love football - Sunday's are fun for us whether at a party, at a bar, or at home we love to do something fun for football day.

So this particular Sunday we had a private football party - company food but just for us.   I started out with Kale Chips.  Fun, crunchy, salty and bitter melding perfectly together, and best of all, feels naughty but it is nice!

I also made jalapeno chips with homemade ranch dressing, and  some fabulous little drummies on the grill.  Have fun with the recipes below or use your own, but by all means, don't skip the party because there are only two of you!

Spicy Black Pepper-Coated Drumsticks (Adapted from Mario Batali)

12 chicken drumsticks  Kosher salt
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons Tabasco sauce (preferably chipotle)
1 tablespoon fennel seeds, lightly crushed such as with a spice
or coffee grinder
2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper

In a medium bowl, stir together the buttermilk, Tabasco sauce, fennel seeds, and black pepper. Set a wire rack over a large plate or a small baking sheet.  Toss the drumsticks in batches, into the buttermilk mixture and turn to coat, then place skin side up on the rack to drain. Spoon a little of the mixture, with the fennel seeds and pepper, over the top of each one, and set aside.

Preheat a gas grill or prepare a fire in a charcoal grill.

Place the drumsticks on the hottest part of the grill, cover the grill, and cook, turning occasionally at first and then more often as they start to caramelize, until cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes.

Kale Chips
There isnt a "recipe" for these, just a list of things to do:

Wash and carefully dry a large bunch of kale.  Remove ribs and tear into bite sized pieces.  Place on a baking dish.  Sprinkle or brush with olive oil and liberally sprinkle with sea salt. 

Bake at 400 for 15 minutes.  Check and remove those that are crispy.  Continue in 5 minute increments until crisp.  Enjoy!