Ingredients
- Creamy Mustard Dipping Delight:
- 1 measuring cup of rich mayonnaise
- 4 teaspoons of zesty dry mustard powder
- A hint of Worcestershire sauce
- A touch of steak sauce
- A splash of half-and-half
- A squeeze of fresh lemon juice
- A dash of sriracha for a kick
- A sprinkle of salt to enhance
- A dozen airy puff pastry shells
- Savory Cheesy Bay Scallop Surprise:
- A pair of buttery tablespoons, divided
- Twelve ounces of tender bay scallops
- A handful of sliced mushrooms
- A spoonful of minced shallot
- A splash of smooth half-and-half
- A touch of versatile all-purpose flour
- A drizzle of dry white wine
- A hint of dry sherry
- A splash of lemon juice
- A touch of Dijon mustard
- A handful of shredded Parmesan cheese
- A sprinkle of freshly chopped tarragon
- A pinch of ground black pepper
- Quarterback Attack Shooter Sensation:
- Four ounces of aromatic gin
- Two ounces of sweet vermouth
- A couple of teaspoons of maraschino cherry juice
- A few dashes of orange bitters
- Four plump maraschino cherries
- A bunch of ripe red grapes
- A pound of succulent cooked shrimp
- Fresh lemon wedges for a citrus twist
- Hot Pepper Jelly Chip Delight:
- Four ounces of softened goat cheese
- Half a cup of fiery hot red pepper jelly
- Four crumbled slices of cooked bacon
- Two dozen large, ridged potato chips
- A generous topping of thin jalapeno pepper slices (Optional)
Step 1
Beat together mayonnaise, dry mustard, Worcestershire sauce, steak sauce, half-and-half, lemon juice, sriracha, and salt in a serving bowl until the mixture is smooth and velvety. Cover the bowl and chill in the refrigerator.
Step 2
Preheat your oven to 380 degrees F (190 degrees C) and line a baking sheet with pastry shells. Bake the shells until they turn a golden brown, usually around 20 minutes. Let them cool down completely.
Step 3
In the meantime, melt a tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Quickly sauté the scallops until they are nicely browned on both sides, which should take about 3 to 5 minutes. Be careful not to overcook them. Once done, set them aside. Lower the heat to medium, add the remaining butter to the skillet, and cook the mushrooms and shallots until they are just tender, about 3 to 5 minutes.
Step 4
Combine half-and-half with flour in a bowl, then add it to the skillet with the mushroom mixture. Stir continuously until the sauce is smooth and thickened, typically around 5 minutes. Mix in wine, sherry, lemon juice, and mustard. Fold in Parmesan cheese, tarragon, and black pepper. Finally, add the cooked scallops, stir, and warm for another 1 to 3 minutes.
Step 5
Slice off the tops of the pastry shells, fill them with the cheesy scallops, and arrange them at the base of a large platter horizontally.
Step 6
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, then pour in gin, vermouth, cherry juice, and bitters. Shake vigorously and strain the mixture into 4 shot glasses. Drop a cherry into each glass. Place the quarterback attack shooters at the upper left corner of the platter diagonally. Scatter grapes in both the upper and lower left corners.
Step 7
Position the creamy mustard dipping sauce on the right side of the platter and garnish with shrimp and lemon wedges.
Step 8
Spread approximately half a tablespoon of goat cheese on each potato chip without breaking them. Top each chip with a teaspoon of red pepper jelly, crumbled bacon, and a jalapeno slice. Arrange the hot pepper jelly chips above and to the left of the pastry shells, filling any gaps on the platter.
Extra Tips & Suggestions
- 1. Keep your snack platter organized by using different sections for each type of snack, ensuring easy access for your guests during halftime.
- 2. Utilize colorful and fun containers, baskets, and trays to add visual appeal to your snack display while also keeping everything neat and tidy.
