Superbowl XLV Champions - The Green Bay Packers

Traditional saying: “It’s that time of the year again” is usually associated with Christmas time, but in the month of February, it only means one thing: SUPERBOWL! My guess would be that a large number of people are looking forward to Superbowl Sunday. Some are just plain excited about watching awesome football, others are thinking “Finally it’s over and we can have our weekends back”. Whatever the reason, Superbowl parties are one of the top at-home party events of the year. They are much more than a gathering of football lovers – many people attending don’t actually even like football, they attend to get together with friends and break up the monotony of the very boring winter month.

This year it’s the Pittsburg Steelers and Green Bay Packers match up – personally, I am not a big fan of either club, but if I had to choose, I would probably put my money on Green Bay. From what I understand right now, they are the underdogs so that is partially why I would pick them – go figure.

So – if you are thinking about planning a Super Bowl party – here are few tips and some great recipes for you:

Superbowl Party Planning Made Simple:

• Plan simple, easy foods and set it up as a buffet. That is your only option, since there is no way anyone will want to be sitting at a table.
• If you have more than one television set, set the sets up around the party area.
• Don’t choose recipes that will keep you in the kitchen – you should be able to enjoy the party as well
• Have one room designated for non-football lovers who will just want to visit and chat or maybe have a game of cards
• Plan on plenty of beverages – definitely do not forget the beer!
• If you just absolutely have to decorate – use team colours, footballs, team jerseys, goal posts and pennants. But I wouldn’t worry about it too much – the attention will be on the television set.
• You may want to have a good supply of paper towels, napkins and also a rug cleaner – things have a tendency to fly!
• And keep a little spare change and small bills handy for betting pools that just might be popping up over the course of the party!

Superbowl Party – The Food:

The name of the game is simple – meaning organizing casual, hearty food. This time you can leave your gourmet expertise alone. Your guests will want to eat in front of the television set – so you pretty much have to keep the menu simple.

There are traditional foods you just have to serve at your Super Bowl party – they include chili, chicken wings, some great dips and nachos. I am including all the recipes for these – all easy and quick to put together. I have also included something sweet  -  if you are up to it -  a real football cake!

The menu:

1. Crockpot chilli with Corn Bread
2. Original Buffalo Wings with Blue Cheese Dressing
3. Layered Dip – Mexican Style
4. Crockpot Spinach Dip
5. Ground Beef Nachos
6. Football Field Cake

1.Crockpot Chili with Corn Bread

Make sure you have grated cheese handy - it makes each serving awesome as it melts over the top of hot chili

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs. ground chuck
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 green pepper, chopped
• 2 to 3 ribs celery, chopped
• 1 large (28 oz.) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
• 2 cans kidney or pinto beans, drained
• 1 tsp. pepper
• 3 tsp. chili powder
• hot pepper, to taste, cayenne
• 1 tsp. garlic salt

Directions:

1. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef.
2. Drain well.
3. Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker; cover and cook for 7 to 8 hours on LOW, or until done.

Serves 6 to 8.

For more chili recipes, click here

Cornbread:

Cornbread Tips:

• Sprinkle a little cornmeal in the hot pan before adding the batter. It will brown and add a crispier texture.
• For a crusty cornbread, make sure there is a good “layer” of oil or shortening in the pan.
• A tablespoon of mayonnaise can be substituted for the egg.
• You can use all cornmeal, or lessen the amount of flour in the recipe.
• Use muffin or cornstick pans (preferably iron), to vary the shape.
• Instead of baking, fry the batter like pancakes.

Buttermilk Cornbread:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 cup buttermilk

Directions:

1. Combine dry ingredients
2. Add beaten egg and buttermilk, mixing well.
3. Pour into greased, heated 8-inch or 9-inch iron skillet.
4. Bake at 400° for 20 minutes, or until lightly browned.

Buttermilk cornbread serves 8.

Buffalo Chicken Wings with Blue Cheese Dressing

Chicken wings are a must for Superbowl Party - this blue cheese dressing makes them really special

Super Bowl party would not be complete without chicken wings.

Ingredients:

• 4 to 5 pounds chicken wings
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Salt (if desired)
• 4 cups vegetable oil
• 4 Tablespoons butter or margarine (1/2 stick)
• 5 Tablespoons Louisiana-brand hot sauce or Tabasco sauce
• 1 Tablespoon white wine vinegar

Preparation:

1. Chop off the tip of each chicken wings, and discard it.
2. Chop the wing in half (cutting at the joint) to make 2 pieces.
3. Grind on fresh black pepper and sprinkle with salt if desired.
4. Heat the oil over high heat in a deep skillet, Dutch oven, or deep-fat fryer until it starts to pop and sizzle (around 400 degrees F).
5. Add half the chicken wings and cook until they’re golden and crisp, stirring or shaking occasionally.
6. When done, remove them to drain on paper towels and cook the remaining wings.
7. Melt the butter or margarine over medium heat in a heavy saucepan, add the hot sauce and the 1 tablespoon of  wine vinegar.
8. Stir well and remove from the flame immediately.
9. Place the chicken on a warm serving platter, pour the sauce on top, and serve.

For more Chicken Wings recipes, click here

Blue Cheese Dressing:

• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup sour cream or no-fat sour cream
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1/8 tsp sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon Hungarian sweet paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons blue cheese

Preparation:

1. In a food processor or heavy-duty blender, combine buttermilk, sour cream, garlic, sugar, paprika and salt.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Add blue cheese, and pulse quickly once or twice.
4. Do not blend. You want small chunks of blue cheese.
   
   Refrigerate 4 hours or more before serving to let flavours blend.

Layered Dip – Mexican Style

Great treat for everyone - add tortilla chips of any other chips you like and listen to everyone loving this dish!

Ingredients:

• 1 (9 oz.) can Frito Lay jalapeno bean dip
• 3 avocados, minced
• Lemon juice
• Garlic salt
• 3 tbsp. sour cream
• 3 tbsp. mayonnaise
• 1 pkg. taco seasoning
• Several tomatoes, chopped
• Layer chopped green onions
• 1 (4 oz.) can black olives
• 1 (9 oz.) can jalapeno cheddar cheese dip

Layer as follows in a shallow dish:

1. 1 (9 ounce) can bean dip, 3 avocados, minced.

2. Sprinkle with lemon juice and garlic salt.

3. Mix 3 tablespoons sour cream, 3 tablespoons mayonnaise, 1 package taco seasoning mix.

4. Chopped tomatoes.

5. Layer 3 green onions.

6. Sliced black olives.

7. 1 (9 ounce) can Frito Lay cheddar cheese dip. Serve hot or cold

Crockpot Spinach Dip

This is an awesome dip - especially if you decide to serve it warm

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, cut in cubes
• 1/4 cup whipping cream
• 1 cup frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
• 2 tablespoons chopped pimento
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 teaspoons grated onion
• 1/4 teaspoon dried leaf thyme, crumbled

Preparation:

1. Combine cream cheese and cream in slow cooker.
2. Cover and cook on LOW until cheese is melted, about 1 to 1- 1/2 hours.
3. Add remaining ingredients; cover and cook on LOW for about 45 minutes longer.
4. Serve with raw vegetables, crackers, or crusty bread cubes.

Ground Beef Nachos

You cannot have a Superbowl Party without nachos - they are easy to put together and it is OK to get creative with the recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 package of ground beef (the amount is up to you)
• 1 can (16 ounces) refried beans
• 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup chopped bell green pepper
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 envelope of taco seasoning, about 1 ounce
• 1 cup of grated cheddar cheese
• 1 bag of plain tortilla chips

Preparation:

1. Heat oven to 350°.
2. Cook ground beef in a large saucepan or Dutch oven.
3. Add all ingredients but the cheddar cheese and chips to the pot and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes.
4. While it is simmering, pour the chips into a casserole dish.
5. Spread hot mixture over the chips; sprinkle grated cheddar cheese on top and put in the oven for 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and browned.

For more Nachos recipes, click here

Football Field Cake

Step-by-step How to Make it

Yes you can! You can make this incredible cake and surprise everyone! Sweets are not usually an important element of a Superbowl party menu, but make this one and it will be a hit!

This creation will definitely score for you! You will need to make a sheet cake – 13″ x 9″ size is recommended.

You will need:

• 1 – 13″ x 9″ sheet cake that has been frosted chocolate (my preference) or vanilla.
• 7 oz. shredded, sweetened coconut that has been tinted by shaking in a plastic bag with 1 teaspoon green food gel
• 1 pretzel rod divided in two parts
• 4 short pretzel sticks, 2 of which have been divided in half
• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• 1 can white decorator frosting
• Assorted football cake decorations such as footballs, plastic players, team flags

How to Put the Football Field Cake Together:

Create the Goal Posts

Place 12″ square piece of wax or parchment paper on cookie sheet.

Place chocolate chips into microwave safe bowl. Melt at 50% power for 1 minute. Stir. Continue heating at 50% power for 30 seconds each time until smooth consistency is reached.

Dip pretzels into melted chocolate, tapping off excess. Place on prepared paper and form into goal post shapes.

Once goal posts have been made, transfer cookie sheet into refrigerator to chill.

Put the Cake Together:

Evenly spread coconut over top of cake, reserving 1/2 cup for touch-ups as needed.

Draw lines with decorator frosting on field to create yardage markings and end zone.

Insert pretzel field goals into end zones.

Finish with cake toppings. In this illustration a football was created using melted dark chocolate that was formed into a football shape. Laces were created using white frosting

Hope these tips and recipes will help you have a great Super Bowl party – enjoy and share your tips and experiences – your input is always welcomed!