But first – here are very basic Superbowl XLV facts:

It will be Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers match-up. For all the news, updates and a whole lot more, you can check out the official NFL website. Personally, I am not sure who will take it, so I am going to do the “female” thing here – I am going to go with the nicer uniforms… Sorry guys, I know you are holding your bellies laughing now, but I think Green Bay are better looking guys and I also think that maybe theSteelers should get a good designer to update their outfits. I am a pretty much ancient San Francisco 49rs fan - I do believe they will be back one day – you just gotta!

Now you need to get ready for Superbowl Sunday and plan your party menu:

Keeping it simple is the key here – remember that it is very likely that most of the food will be consumed with eyes on the TV screen. But it still has to taste good, be readily available and be popular with the crowd.

For sure – make some chili. There are number of ways to do this, but I do have a favourite recipe and I am going to share it with you:

Great Homemade Chili:

Make sure you serve this with a bowl of shredded cheddar cheese, it is great when it melts on top of a hot bowl of chili!

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup of chopped onion
• 1/2 cup of chopped green peppers
• 1 lb. of lean ground beef
• 1-1/4 oz. of canned tomatoes
• 1-4 oz. can of tomato paste
• I cup of sliced mushrooms
• 2-1/4 oz. can’s of kidney beans
• 3 teaspoons of chili powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon of oregano

Directions:

1. Saute onions in the vegetable oil first, then add the beef and stir until beef is well done (when you don’t see any uncooked parts)
2.  If there is too much grease after you cook the beef, spoon it off and discard. 
3. Add in remaining ingredients, mix and cover.
4.  Bring to boil; reduce heat to simmer and cook slowly for 1 hour.

Couple of notes:

• I have tried to use mixed beans instead of kidney beans and it works great!
• And you can use spaghetti sauce if you are out of tomato paste – substitute canned tomatoes for chopped fresh tomatoes and omit oregano.
• Serve it topped with shredded cheddar and little bit of chopped fresh or green onions in individual dishes
• You can make multiples of this recipe in a very large pot and freeze as much as you want in Ziplock bags or plastic containers – it will defrost beautifully

But chili is not the only thing you should plan to serve for your Superbowl party gathering – here are suggestions and tips on other popular dishes:

Nachos:They are a must and they are also a dish you literally can go wrong with. The good thing is that you can buy ready made jars of salsa and cheese sauce or you can get creative and made sky-high platter of nachos very easily. I love to improvise when I make them and that means layers of stuff, including crumbled bacon and chunks of chicken meat, variety of cheese, red and green peppers,mushrooms and spicy salsa in between. Put it together on a cookie sheet, bake it – and it is a good idea to turn the broiler on for a few minutes before completing the cooking time. Take the creation out of the oven and just slide it – carefully – onto a large platter. Yum!

Chicken Wings: Another very easy party food – just check out the freezers in your local supermarket. The only tips I can add here is to watch cooking instructions on the package if you are planning to prepare a variety of chicken wings. You want to pick the ones that are cooked at a same temperature for about length of time. If you want to make your own, there are a number of different recipes on this site.

Pizza: Always a favourite and easy to handle. You don’t want to be stuck in the kitchen, while others are having fun watching the game, so remember that you can prepare the pizza day before and then just bake it before the party. As far as I am concerned, pizza is great hot or cold and very easily warmed up in a microwave. I would suggest making Authentic Homemade Italian Pizza - little more work but you will back in praises. If you are not sure how to make pizza, you can easily check out simple direction on this site as well. Looking for a variety? It always amazes me that you can pretty much put anything on a pizza and create a real treat for your guests – try different pizza varieties for your Superbowl party!

Hope you enjoy these recipes – I am sure your guests will!

One last thing – if you need to “brush up” on your NFL lingo  - check out the link 

Have a great time enjoying Superbowl Sunday and send in your comments, suggestions and experiences, your input is always welcomed and very much appreciated

Prepping for this coming Sunday’s Superbowl XLV between the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers should be about alot more than checking your cupboards the day of the big game. Get to the grocery store before the end of the week to avoid line ups and plan out your Nachos. It’s going to make game day a lot more relaxed and fun. My son and husband are fans of the Traditional Nachos with double meat and habanero peppers added, but then again they are both taking the Steelers to win the Lombardi trophy this Sunday so we can’t trust either of them!

Superbowl Nachos #1 – Traditional Nachos

You can’t go wrong with the traditional Nacho toppings, the beautiful thing about your classic mix is it’s very easy to customize your Nachos. Make sure you have plenty of meat (double meat is always a big hit) and another great tip is to try some exotic peppers, taste is a very personal thing so I won’t tell you exactly what you would personally like but give some variations a shot. Your standard bell pepper is limiting, mix it up with some Jalaepeno (just a bit to add some spice) and for the daring adding a Habanero mix will really spice it up.

One more Nacho tip, make sure you layer your toppings between a thin layer of chips, then repeat. This will ensure that every layer has a tasty topping , there’s nothing worse than getting to the bottom of the platter and being out of toppings!

Ingredients:

• 3 oz Tortilla chips (about 2 large handfuls)
• 2/3 cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup guacamole
• 1/2 cup refried beans or whole black beans, drained of liquid
• 1 small tomato, seeded and diced
• 1/2 cup green onions, chopped
• *Optional- Other topping ideas include sliced black olives, white or red onions and jalapeno rings

Directions:

Pre-heat broiler on high.

Heat refried beans over low heat until bubbly.

Place half of the chips on an oven proof pie plate and cover with half the cheese.

Carefully add the rest of the chips topped with the remaining cheese.

Place under the broiler for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Carefully remove chips from broiler and drizzle on beans.

Then add dollops of guacamole, sour cream and lastly, sprinkle on the tomatoes.

*If adding meat, freshly cooked is the best option, or re-heat pre-cooked meat until piping hot. Add right after the beans layer.

Superbowl Nachos #2 - Ground Beef Nachos (Bring on the Meat!)

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

Directions:

Heat oven to 350°.

Cook ground beef in a large saucepan or Dutch oven.

Add all ingredients but the cheddar cheese and chips to the pot and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes.

While it is simmering, pour the chips into a casserole dish.

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.

Superbowl Nachos #3 - Chicken Nachos

Ingredients:

• 1 large bag of nacho chips
• 1 can refried beans
• 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
• 2 cups cooked chicken, chopped
• 1 large jar salsa

Directions:

Line a cookie sheet with foil wrap.

Spread chips evenly on sheet.

Drop small spoonfuls of refried beans on the chips.

Mix Salsa and chicken together, making chicken “wet”.

Pour mixture over the chips evenly.

Top with cheddar cheese.

Broil for 8 to 12 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted.

Superbowl Nachos #4 - Alaska King Crab Nachos (Fancy Fancy)

Ingredients:

• 24 won ton wrappers
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

For filling:

• 1 ripe California avocado
• 1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped shallot
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon wasabi paste
• 3/4 pound cooked Alaska king crab leg in shell (1 leg), thawed if frozen and split lengthwise

Special equipment:

• 2 mini-muffin pans

Make won ton cups:
Preheat oven to 375°F.

Stack 12 won ton wrappers together and trim stack into a 3-inch square.

Repeat with remaining won tons.

Transfer 1 won ton to an oiled work surface and brush top lightly with some oil.

Top with another won ton and brush lightly with oil.

Repeat with remaining won tons (this way both sides become lightly oiled).

Put 1 won ton into cup of a muffin pan, pressing it gently into bottom and side to form a cup.

Repeat with remaining won tons and sprinkle with salt to taste.

Bake won ton cups in middle of oven until crisp and golden brown, 7 to 10 minutes.

Transfer won ton cups to racks to cool (they will continue to crisp).

Make filling:
Scoop flesh from avocado and mash coarsely with a fork.

Stir in shallot, 1 tablespoon lime juice, and wasabi to taste.

Season with salt and pepper.

To assemble:

Remove crab meat from shell and cut into 1/2-inch cubes. Toss crab with remaining tablespoon lime juice and salt to taste.

Spoon guacamole into won ton cups and top with crab.

Superbowl Nachos #5 - BBQ Chicken and Smoked Cheese Nachos

Ingredients:

8 to 10 oz. cooked chicken-breast meat, diced
2 Tbs. prepared barbecue sauce
4 to 5 oz. corn tortilla chips
3 oz. shredded smoked mozzarella
3 oz. shredded Monterey Jack
1/2 cup diced red onion
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 recipe Lemon-Pepper Cole Slaw (follows)

Directions:

Preheat 475-degree oven.

In small bowl, toss chicken and barbecue sauce until coated.

Arrange chips in single layer on baking sheet.

Sprinkle both cheeses evenly over chips. Spoon chicken and onion onto each chip.

Bake nachos for four to six minutes until cheese is bubbly.

Toss coleslaw mix over chips and serve.

Lemon-Pepper Cole Slaw

Ingredients:

2 tsp. good-quality mayonnaise
1 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
1 green onion, chopped
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1 cup finely shredded green cabbage

Directions:

Mix mayonnaise, lemon juice, green onion and pepper.

Toss cabbage with dressing just before serving.

Superbowl Nachos #5 – Chinese Firecracker Nachos

Ingredients:

1 tsp. toasted sesame oil
1 Tbs. peeled, minced ginger
1 lb. lean ground pork
2 Tbs. Chinese chili garlic sauce
2 Tbs. hoisin sauce
1 Tbs. toasted sesame seeds
4 to 5 oz. corn tortilla chips
2 cups shredded Muenster
3 oz. napa cabbage, finely shredded
3 to 4 Tbs. rice vinegar
1 green onion, chopped

Directions:

In skillet, warm oil over medium heat, then stir-fry ginger until it softens–about one minute.

Raise heat to high, add pork and crumble into bits.

Stir in chili garlic sauce and hoisin sauce and continue breaking up pork.

Add sesame seeds.

Cook until most of the juices have evaporated.

Preheat 475-degree oven.

Arrange chips on baking sheet, sprinkle cheese over chips, then pork mixture.

Bake for four to six minutes until cheese is bubbly.

Toss cabbage with vinegar.

Serve nachos with green onion and cabbage sprinkled on top.

Superbowl Nachos #6 - Quick and Easy Nachos (or I forgot to plan!)

Easy nachos cooked in the microwave oven, with jalapeno peppers, cheese, and taco sauce.

Prep Time: 2 minutes

Cook Time: 1 minute

Ingredients:

• 4 ounces tortilla chips
• 1/2 cup taco sauce
• 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
• jalapeno pepper slices, optional

Directions:

Place tortilla chips on a paper plate.

Pour taco sauce over chops.

Sprinkle with the shredded cheese. If desired, top with jalapeno pepper slices.
Microwave on HIGH for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, until cheese is melted.

Superbowl Nachos #7 - Grilled Nachos

Ingredients:

• 3-4 dozen tortilla chips
• 2 cups Monterey jack cheese, grated
• 1/3 cup bacon, fried and crumbled
• 1 medium red onion, chopped
• 4 jalapeno chilies, chopped

Directions:

Preheat grill to a hot temperature.

Arrange chips in a flat grilling pan.

Cover with other ingredients.

Place on grill and turn off the grill.

Let cook for about 5-10 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Keep a close eye on this one to make sure that the cheese melts without burning.

Enjoy these recipes and have a wonderful Super Bowl Sunday!

]]> http://www.mama-knows.com/recipes/nachos-recipes-for-super-bowl.html/feed 2 http://www.mama-knows.com/featured-articles/super-bowl-made-simple.html http://www.mama-knows.com/featured-articles/super-bowl-made-simple.html#comments Tue, 26 Jan 2010 23:02:19 +0000 Hanna Trafford http://www.mama-knows.com/?p=3450 OK – I have already admitted that I love football. And I will also admit that what I know about the game is a bit limited – I am definitely not an expert. The way I look at it is that it is basically a great big and very entertaining show, and all you really have to do to enjoy it is to know the basics.

I decided to do this informational piece to help out those of you who want to watch the Super Bowl and need to know just a bit about what is going on. After you go through this info, you will know who is playing, where and when, you will know who the quarterbacks for each team are and you can check out what the team logos look like and memorize some impressive terminology.

I am also adding links to sites that have tons of information for you if you want to study it a bit – so this is my Super Bowl made simple:

What: Super Bowl XLIV – that means : Super Bowl 44

Where: Miami, South Florida, SunLife Stadium at the Miami Gardens

When: Sunday, February 7, 2010- 7:25 pm

Who: New Orleans Saints vs. Indianapolis Colts

Why: Because that’s what happens every year and it ends the NFL season! The winning teams of AFC and NFC play off for the Vince Lombardi trophy to be officially declared the best team of the NFL

About the teams:

The Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts made it to the Super Bowl be winning the AFC (that’s American Football Conference) Championship, beating the New York Jets last Sunday.

Their quarterback is Payton Manning – #16

If you want more information (tons of it!) about the Colts, check out their website:

The Official Website of Indianapolis Colts

The New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints won the NFC (that’s National Football Conference) Championship, beating the Minnesota Vikings.

Their quarterback is Drew Brees – # 9

The Saints website also has tons of information so you can check it out:

The Official website of New Orleans Saints

About the Show:

And then there is something called The Halftime Show – and it is always, always awesome. This year – it will feature The Who – and you will want to watch it for sure. Lat year, 150 million people watch the halftime show in 230 countries around the world.

For those of you who may not be quite familiar with The Who, check out their official website for more information:

Official website of The Who

About the NFL:

And now you could probably use some football talk – some intelligent and correct terminology. Some time ago, I have ventured into the typically male part of this football world and created

OF

Here is where you can find everything you need to know about football and about playing football:

The ABC’s of NFL

I hope you will find all this information interesting and helpful – and as always, I welcome your comments, suggestions and experiences! Oh and P.S. GO SAINTS!