The holiday season is hectic. Sure, it’s supposed to be a time for family and memories in the making–but so often we get caught up in trying to get it all DONE before Christmas and then New Years. Then it’s the rush back into school and routines. What about some time just to relax together as a family? How about a Family Movie Night?
Walmart recently sent me the new release of When the Game Stands Tall to host my own family movie night for a little respite in the middle of all the holiday chaos.
Now sure, it isn’t a holiday classic. As a matter of fact it isn’t a holiday film at all–but that’s ok. Maybe you need a little change from all the holiday themed cheer. Try on for size instead When The Game Stands Tall (Blue-ray + DVD + Digital HD copy at Walmart.com for $24.96) a PG, family sports drama. Note: This movie does show someone being shot. Princess cried, and younger kids might find that traumatic–you know your child best.
Can you imagine being on a 12 year, 151 win winning streak? Sounds like Hollywood baloney doesn’t it? Well it’s not–this movie is based on a true story and De La Salle High School in California really had a 151 game winning streak from 1992-2003. That’s the longest winning streak of any American sport. Ever. Wow.
But the movie isn’t about the team’s jump from obscurity to fame. Instead it addresses another question. . .what happens when you STOP winning? What happens to the team, to the players when you go from constant success to sudden defeat? What really makes a family? What makes a team? It’s a touching and inspiring story.
A football movie deserves football snacks. I don’t know about you, but when I think of Football, I think of nachos. Of course it would have been too easy to share a recipe for nachos–You can basically look at a picture of a plate of nachos and figure out how to make them. I wanted to try something a bit different.
Some research online and I came across a mention of “Italian” nachos. Those sounded interesting–but I wanted to take it a step further and make my own “chips”. . .from ravioli!
To make these nachos you need to head on out to your local Walmart and pick up the following items:
Fresh pasta style ravioli (usually found in the refrigerator case somewhere near the deli)
Jarred Alfredo Sauce
Sliced Black Olives
Pickled Banana Peppers (honestly, I’m not usually a fan, but these peppers make the nachos–the sauce, meat etc are very rich and you need the bite of the vinegar to cut it and give some zip)
Italian Sausage (the Great Value brand in the bulk 12 pk were the best price at my store-freeze the rest of the links for other meals)
Lettuce, Green Onion and Tomato (I like the “vine ripened” hydroponic tomatoes in the winter–they are the only ones that look truly ripe to me)
Oil or shortening for frying (do not use butter or olive oil–the smoke point is too low)
In a deep fryer or a deep kettle heat your frying oil or shortening. Remember–oil at the correct temperature (350-375) will fry the outside quickly enough that the oil won’t seep into your food. Too high and it browns too fast, too low and it becomes greasy. That’s why a deep fryer like my Fry Daddy works so well–it automatically comes to the right temperature. Otherwise use a deep frying/candy thermometer. Or you can drop in a 1″ cube of bread–if it browns golden in 60 sec you are at the right temperature.
Brown your ravioli in small batches–maybe 8 or 10 at a time–and then drain on a clean brown paper bag.
Squeeze 2 sausages out of their casings and brown the meat (you can do this ahead of time)
Dice up your lettuce, tomato, green onion and banana peppers.
Heat some of the Alfredo Sauce in a covered bowl in the microwave (do not just take the lid off and put the jar in the microwave unless you enjoy scrubbing your microwave. Ask me how I know this. . .)
Now on a platter or large plate you assemble your nachos. Ravoili on bottom, drizzle with Alfredo. Sprinkle on sausage, then toss on the lettuce, tomato, green onion, and black olives.
Serve!
The kids were more than happy to help me taste test the nachos while we watched the movie. We all agreed they were delicious!
****This is a sponsored post****
Disclosure: As a participant in the Walmart Moms Program, I’ve received product samples and compensation for my time and efforts in creating this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
These were REALLY Tasty! Papa Recommended!