National American Football Day

National Football Day is a testament to the enduring passion and love that Americans have for the sport of football. It's a day when people come together to celebrate a shared interest, enjoy each other's company, and create memories that last a lifetime. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just someone who enjoys the game-day atmosphere, National Football Day is a time to revel in the joy, camaraderie, and traditions that make this sport an integral part of American culture. So take the party outside this November 5th, don your favorite jersey, gather your friends and family, and celebrate the magic of football.

Pavilion

Watching the game outdoors under the open sky can add an exciting and immersive dimension to your celebration. Consider setting up a TV in your pavilion or use a projector and a white sheet or screen for an impromptu outdoor theater experience. Ideally, you’ll want to do it under your pavilion in case of rain or other inclement weather. If you don’t have wireless cable services, make sure the cable stretches far enough, or purchase a longer one for the big day. Ensure you have comfortable seating options, like bean bags or lounge chairs, and blankets for when the temperatures drop. Invest in a good outdoor sound system to ensure that you capture all the sounds of the game, from the roaring crowd to the coaches' instructions.

Pizza oven

While many fans choose to enjoy traditional game-day snacks, like burgers and hot dogs, why not elevate your experience by utilizing your outdoor pizza oven? A pizza oven brings an entirely new dimension to your outdoor celebrations. As the game unfolds on your outdoor screen, your guests can create their personalized pizzas, adding to the excitement. The smell of fresh pizza cooking in the oven, combined with the cheers of the crowd, will make your game-day experience unforgettable. With a little preparation and creativity, you can offer your guests a truly unique and delicious experience.

Goat's Cheese, Caramelized Onion and Fig Pizza

This goat cheese pizza is absolutely outstanding! It's presented on a foundation of San Marzano tomatoes, complemented by caramelized onions, succulent figs, luscious goat's cheese, and enhanced with a drizzle of aged balsamic vinegar. It's a pizza that will leave your entire family craving for more! (recipe and photo courtesy of fuegowoodfiredovens.com)

What you’ll need:
• 6 x 250g pizza dough ball, already proven or 6 x 250g ready made pizza dough balls
• 400g Italian tinned San Marzano tomatoes
• Salt to taste
• Pinch of sugar
• ½ handful of fresh basil
• 150g mozzarella cheese, cut into cubes
• 150g soft goat’s cheese
• 9 whole figs, cut into quarters
• Aged balsamic vinegar
• Whole basil leaves
• Extra virgin olive oil

• For the caramelized onions:
• 2 red onions, peeled and finely sliced
• 1 tbsp of olive oil
• 2 sprigs of thyme
• 1 tsp of sugar
• Pinch of salt and pepper

Directions:
1. Pre-heat your Fuego oven to 400°C.

2. To make the sauce, just blitz the San Marzano tomatoes with a pinch of salt, sugar and the basil, keeping a bit of texture.

3. To make the caramelized onions, heat the olive oil in a medium size frying pan, add the onions, sugar, salt, pepper and thyme and cook on a low heat for 30 minutes until very soft. Set it aside and allow it to cool down.

4. Lightly dust a clean surface with some flour or semolina flour and place your dough ball in the center. Leaving one inch on either side of the diameter of the dough ball, press the dough with all fingers to flatten, turn to the other side and repeat the process. Turn back to the original side and repeat the process one more time.

5. Use your right hand to hold the flattened dough one inch in to keep the edge puffy and place your left hand’s thumb and index fingers on the top side of the dough and the rest of fingers below and pull the dough to stretch. Flip the dough over to your forearm with your palm open and flip back to the bench. Repeat the process a few times to stretch the dough evenly.

6. Start by spooning a thin layer of tomato sauce, leaving 2.5cm around the edge for the crust to rise. Spoon some of the caramelized onions, then scatter a few mozzarella cubes, crumble some goats cheese and scatter six fig quarters. Be careful not to spill the sauce on the pizza peel as this may stop the pizza from sliding from the peel into the oven.

7. Transfer your pizza base onto a pizza peel which is also lightly dusted with semolina flour and stretch the edges of the pizza base, so it’s fully laid out.

8. Using your pizza peel, slide your pizza into your Fuego oven. Using a turning pizza peel pick the pizza from the side, bring it to the front of the oven and turn it round. Do not turn your pizza inside the oven, as it will pick up too much ash. Keep your eyes on the pizza, as failing to turn regularly will result in very charred black edges. Once you have a puffed crust which is darkly charred in spots, remove it from the oven with your turning peel and slide into a serving platter. Watch out, the pizza will be extremely hot once removed from the oven; you may need to leave it a minute to cool.

9. Finish the pizza with a drizzle of aged balsamic vinegar, some basil leaves and extra virgin olive oil.

Drinks

National Football Day is a time for celebration, and some game-day cocktails can add a touch of sophistication and flavor to your outdoor football party. Whether you're hosting a small gathering or a big party, festive cocktails are sure to delight your guests and enhance the excitement of the game. So, mix up some creative cocktails, raise your glasses, and toast to a fantastic National Football Day filled with touchdowns, cheers, and delicious drinks.

Beer Margarita

It's beerita time! Yep, you heard that right. Who knew that you can combine beer and margarita and make a delicious drink that will have everyone coming back for more! (recipe and photo courtesy of foodnetwork.com)

What you’ll need:
• 1 lime, cut into 8 wedges
• 1/4 cup coarse salt
• 2 (12-ounce) bottles your favorite beer, chilled
• 1/2 cup frozen concentrate limeade, thawed
• 1/2 cup chilled tequila
• Ice cubes

Directions:
1.Rub lime wedges around rims of 4 margarita glasses. Dip rims into salt to coat lightly. In a medium pitcher, combine beer, limeade, and tequila. Fill prepared glasses with ice, then with margarita mixture. Garnish with remaining lime wedges. Serve immediately.

Celebrating National Football Day in your backyard is a fantastic way to combine the excitement of the game with the comfort of your own space. With the right setup, delicious food, and engaging activities, your backyard can become the ultimate game-day destination.