This Sunday afternoon many friends and families will gather to watch the big football game. It is fun and easy to add a special touch by making some football hoagies, which can be, served along with a wonderful Caesar salad. If football is not on your schedule for Sunday, save this fun recipe for another football occasion.

You can also use the football bread for a bowl of delicious chili.

Football Bread

All you need is:

3 loaves frozen whole wheat bread dough

1 egg

1 tablespoon water

Thaw the bread dough until pliable, according to package directions. Remove 1/3 from the end of each loaf. Combine two of the 1/3 piece and set the third piece aside.

Mold each of the four large pieces of bread dough into a football shape, about 10″ long, by turning ends underneath and tapering.

From the remaining dough, form a long, thin rope, about 1/4″ in diameter. Lay a 4′ long piece lengthwise on each football. Lay three 1-1/2′ long pieces across each long piece to look like the stitching on a football. Secure the stitching on each end with wooden picks.

In small bowl, beat egg with 1 tablespoon water. Brush on footballs with pastry brush. Cover and allow the dough to rise until double in size.

Preheat oven to 350F. Bake raised loaves for 20 minutes, or until golden brown.

To serve, set out trays of sandwich makings (meat, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, dressing, etc.) and let everyone help themselves, or slice and serve with Caesar salad. You can also slice the footballs in half, hollow the inside, and use as soup or chili bowls. Make 4 footballs.

Caesar Salad

4 thick slices French bread, cut into ‘ cubes

2 cloves garlic, crushed

8 cups torn Romaine lettuce

Caesar dressing

cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese (Fresh grated is the best)

Preheat oven to 350 Combine bread cubes and crushed garlic in a large zip top bag.   Seal bag; shake to coat bread cubes. Spread bread cubes in a jelly roll pan and bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until toasted and golden.

In large bowl, toss lettuce and Caesar Dressing. Top with croutons and shredded Parmesan Cheese. Serves 6 to 8

Caesar Dressing

2 large cloves garlic

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

1-1/ teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

3 tablespoons lime juice

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

cup extra light olive oil

teaspoon freshly grand pepper

1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

In food processor, combine salad dressing ingredients. Process until smooth and thick.