Here Are Some Ideas For Having A Fun Super Bowl Party So You Are Not At The Mercy Take Out Restaurants
During football games nothing seems to compliment a few cold beers and the company of friends like an array of salty and spicy foods. Whether your at a real tailgate party, concession stand, or at a local pub, you might come across traditional food items like Pizza, Buffalo Wings, Grilled or BBQ items and Cold Cut Sandwiches. Here are some ideas for a great Super Bowl themed party and you won’t have to call a caterer, or wait for the local delivery restaurant to show up.
A build your own pizza bar is always a hit, have par baked pizza shells ready with some bowls of traditional and unique topping so your guests can create their own signature pizzas. Chicken Wings are hard to reproduce in a home kitchen because restaurants normally deep fry them in industrial cookers to accommodate the large volumes. Cooking them in an oven is one option, and this will help lessen your saturated fat intake for the day. Besides spicy Buffalo wings you can make some saucy variations like; Teriyaki, BBQ, or baked with Asian Sweet Chili Sauce.
Cold Cut Sandwiches are always another hit, but here are a few ideas for pushing the envelope in that area. You could ask your local bakery if they can cook you up some 3 or 6 foot rolls to make giant “Super Sized” sandwiches. Also another big trend right now is “Sliders”, familiar miniature sandwiches like cheeseburgers and BBQ pulled pork sandwiches made on smaller almost bite sized rolls. Don’t stop with just burgers, make some different creative sandwich offerings like Cuban roast pork sandwiches, Creole Muffaletta sandwiches or mini “Fish Filet” sandwiches. You can even make bite sized mock “BLT’s” by slicing cherry tomatoes in half and stuffing them with crisp bacon, lettuce and mayonnaise.
Tex Mex is another crowd pleaser, everyone from kids to adults enjoys the vibrant flavors of the American Southwest. Quesadillas can be pre-made and cut into bite sized wedges, any the fillings are only limited to your imagination. A “Taco Bar” would be another interactive fun station to let your friends be the chef once again.
If you have a crockpot this would be good for low and slow cooked items. Pulled pork or shredded beef, pot roast, ribs or corned beef and cabbage would be great comfort food dishes. You can also do something different here like Chinese moo shu chicken or cheesy dips like nacho cheese, spinach-artichoke or fondue. Have bite sized vegetables, pita wedges or bread cubes on the side with skewers for dipping.
These are all finger foods and fun stations you can set up and get ahead with. You can also ask guests to bring pot luck items like potato and macaroni salads, coleslaw to continue on your theme. Depending how long you plan to serve hot and warm foods you might need to think about renting or buying inexpensive food warmers. Many cash and carry outlets stock aluminum bulk food pans, holders and canned sterno heat as well as all other necessities to elevate your party. Have an idea of your food budget ahead of time and then extra money can be spent on decorations like your teams colors for napkins and tablecloths.
For your main course a nice hearty baked pasta or rice dish can be economical and will fill them up after the half time festivities. Simple things like pasta and meatballs or more exotic like paella or jambalaya are great dishes that hold up well for this style cooking events.
Jambalaya
- 1 tb butter or margarine
- 2 tb olive oil
- 1 c chopped green bell pepper
- 1 c chopped onions
- 1 c chopped celery
- 1 cn whole tomatoes in puree; (14 oz.)
- 1 ts thyme
- 1/2 ts salt
- 1/2 ts freshly ground pepper
- 1/2 ts paprika or cajun seasoning
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 c cubed cooked chicken
- 1 c Andouille or Chorizo Sausage, chopped
- 4 c cooked rice
- Chopped fresh parsley and green onions for garnish
- Hot Sauce to taste
- Heat oil in large, deep skillet over medium heat. Add green bell pepper, onions and celery; cook, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes. Stir in tomatoes with puree, breaking up tomatoes with spoon.
- Add seasonings, the peppers and bay leaf; cook 12 minutes. Add chicken and sausage cook 3 minutes and add rice to skillet; fold in until well combined. Add hot sauce to desired spicyness. Garnish with parsley and green onions if desired. Makes 8 servings.
Baked Mushroom Pasta
- 1/4 cup porcini mushrooms
- 2-3 cups white or crimini mushrooms, sliced
- 4 shallots, chopped
- 1/4 Cup brandy or sherry
- 3/4 Cup chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme or oregano
- 1/2 Cup whipping cream
- 2 pounds Penne Pasta
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- 2/3 cup smoked mozzarella or smoked gouda, grated
- salt and pepper to taste
- Soak mushrooms in 1/4 cup hot water until soft. Drain, reserving liquid. Cut mushrooms into
- bite size pieces. Cook mushrooms, shallots and thyme in butter 4-5 minutes.
- Add brandy, chicken broth and porcini liquid and reduce by 50%.
- Boil penne pasta "al dente" or firm to the bite and drain. Toss pasta with mushroom reduction, cream and parmesan cheese. Place in an ovenproof pan and top with grated cheese. Bake for 12-15 minutes until thick and cheese starts to brown on top. Stir and check seasoning,
