The ingredients for a fantastic Grey Cup party

Every Grey Cup house party worth its salty dip needs a signature, half-time dish, something that will redeem the party even if the game's a stinker.

With the cup taking place in Toronto, we're going to suggest this simple slider recipe, created by one of T-Dot's most recognized chefs, Mark McEwan.

They're fairly easy to assemble and are sure to impress your guests — whether they cheer for the Redblacks or just want to be part of the fun. 

Sliders with bourbon-spiked onion, bacon jam and aged cheddar

• 12 breakfast sausage rounds.
• 12 slider buns.
• 6 ounces grated white cheddar.
• 12 tbsp. bourbon onion and bacon compote (recipe below).

1. Heat the barbecue to medium heat and grill sausage rounds until cooked through — approximately five minutes per side.
2. Place half an ounce of cheese on each round to melt.
3. Toast sliders and buns and set aside.
4. Build the sliders and top each sausage round with a spoonful of compote. Serve hot.

Bourbon spiked onion/bacon jam

• 350 grams peeled pearl onions (red or white), cut in half.
• 3 cloves garlic, minced.
• 1 sprig rosemary.
• 4 sprigs thyme.
• 1/2 cup maple syrup.
• 5 tbsp. sherry vinegar.
• 5 tbsp. white vinegar.
• 1 tbsp. canola oil.
• 1/2 cup bourbon.
• 1/2 lb. bacon, diced.

1. Cook bacon in a sauce pot until crisp and rendered and drain on paper towel and discard the fat.
2. Wipe out the pot and heat the oil and sauté the onions until golden brown.
3. Add the garlic, thyme, rosemary and a pinch of salt and pepper and continue to cook until well caramelised.
4. Off the heat add the bourbon, allow it to flambé and burn away the alcohol and then reduce it by two thirds.
5. Add the syrup, both vinegars and continue to cook until the liquid is thick and syrupy. Keep warm.

Looking for some red in your recipes?

Why not go with this beet pancake and beet tzatziki, created for All In A Day's D is for Dinner, by chef Sunna Na of The Swan in Carp:

Beet pancake and beet tzatziki

Ingredients and method:

• 2 cups shredded potato.
• 1/2 cup shredded beet.
• 1/2 cup shredded onion.
• 1 cup flour.
• 1 teaspoon salt.
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper.

1. Mix together and pan fry. (Makes 20 bite-sized pancakes)

Beet tzatziki

• 1 cup Greek yogurt. 
• 1 cup poached and finely diced beet.
• 2 cloves of finely shredded garlic.
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice.
• 1 tablespoon olive oil.
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill. 
• 1 teaspoon salt.
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper. 

1. Mix all ingredients together. 

We asked Redblacks fans for their menu plans for the big game. Here's a sampling of the responses:

Sarp Kizir "I'm going to be with a bunch of friends at a studio watching the game and I'm going to be making a giant Redblacks lasagna for the party."

Scott Perrie "Every grey cup = rippled chips and onion shrimp dip."

John MacNab "I'm cooking up a vat of chili and watching the game on TV."

Jenny Bruce "Bacon-wrapped jalapeño stuffed with cream cheese with chipotle sour cream."

Kate Flood "Hot cinnamon tortilla chips & dark chocolate drizzle with berry-mango fruit salsa & a natural bourbon ice cream from Carp Custom Creamery."

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