Super Snack Sticks: 3 Ways to Skewer Your Big-Game Eats

See how the co-hosts of The Kitchen showcase tacos, a meatball sub and even pasta salad, which usually requires utensils, on a stick.
Tacobab al Pastor

Photo by: Pawel Kaminski

Pawel Kaminski

Though it takes just three essentials — beer, snacks and a TV — to host a winning game-day bash, each element of this at-home-tailgating trifecta is important, especially when it comes to the spread you cook up for your guests. The key to any successful big-game menu is remembering that, above all else, each item ought to be easy to eat, ideally with just your hands. After all, on game day no one wants to put down the coveted remote to reach for a fork and knife. Dips, nachos, wings and pizza are surely go-to picks, but when you want to upgrade your menu with dressed-up eats — while keeping the prep work easy, of course — the name of the game is skewers. On this morning's all-new episode of The Kitchen, the co-hosts introduced three recipes showcasing skewers that allow for fuss-free munching. See how they showcase tacos, a meatball sub and even pasta salad, which usually requires utensils, on a stick.

Part kebab and part taco, Marcela Valladolid's Tacobab al Pastor celebrates the sweet and savory flavors of traditional tacos al pastor. Just like the tried-and-true dish, this one brings together smoky chipotle in adobo sauce, tender pork and juicy pineapple. Since these fixings are cooked together on skewers, there's no need to prep multiple components separately. Round out the snack with a cool avocado-cilantro crema.

Pasta Salad on a Stick

Photo by: Pawel Kaminski

Pawel Kaminski

While most pasta salads require at least a fork if not a knife as well, this Pasta Salad on a Stick skips those tools for the skewer. It takes just a handful of ingredients to turn out these crowd-pleasing bites, each threaded with cheese tortellini, hearty salami and a tangy dressing — all the elements you know and love in a pasta salad.

Meatball Sub on a Stick

Photo by: Pawel Kaminski

Pawel Kaminski

Follow Jeff Mauro's lead and a take a few welcome shortcuts to save time in the kitchen prepping his Meatball Sub on a Stick. He opts for frozen mini meatballs to be the star of these 30-minute skewers, which he threads with creamy mozzarella balls, garlicky bread and fragrant basil and serves with ready-to-go marinara sauce to bring to life each element of a classic meatball sub.

Tune in to The Kitchen on Saturdays at 11a|10c.

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