Monday, February 7, 2011

Super Bowl Sunday!

My team wasn't playing, but that doesn't mean I didn't indulge in America's #2 Food Event of the year: The 2011 Super Bowl. I didn't really care, I just knew I wanted the Packers to win mainly because I wanted Big Ben to go down.  And because I like cheese.  A LOT.
Anyway, I made three dishes for my friends party: Butternut Queso Nachos, Edamole and a Greek Platter.  

Dish 1: Butternut Squash Queso Nachos:
In hindsight, I wish I prepped all the ingredients and waited to put it all together.  Lesson learned for next time- don't prepare Nachos too early! Anyway, they were still delicious and I will definitely make them again.

I saw this on Rachael Ray- her daytime talk show.  Yep, it was a snowday and I was watching RR.  Please help me. If you look at the pictures below, I will give you a basic synopsis of how to make these squashy, cheesey nachos! If you want the complete recipe- click the link above.

It starts with roasted butternut squash in 425 degree oven for 25 minutes.  Then you saute onions, carrots, cumin and coriander together.  Then move that mixture to a food processor.  Then you make a bechemel sauce with butter, flour, milk and nutmeg and slowly add in the cheddar cheese making figure eights until all incorporated. In another pot, mix your vegetarian refried pinto beans with some water to think it out.  Also prep your casserole dish and add the tortilla chips.  I used a combo of white corn and flax seed tortilla.  After the squash is roasted, add that in with the onions, carrots and 1 tablespoon of chipotle in adobo.  Puree until smooth, adding stock to think it out.
 Then you take that squash puree and add it to your amazing cheesy bechemel sauce and mix that together.  Then its time to put the whole thing together. After the tortilla layer, you add the refried bean sauce layer.  Then a can of black beans.  Then a layer of the butternut queso sauce (you will have LOTS leftover, more on that in a minute).  Then it's time to broil the mixture for 10-15 minutes until the chips become crisp.  After you do that, add your toppings!!! Jalapenos, Avocado, Tomatoes, Red Onions!
 The butternut queso was sooooo good, I decided to make a soup with the rest of it. Perfectly velvety and cheesy freshness! We enjoyed this for lunch yesterday and there is still plenty more for the week!


 This is one of the simplest recipes you could ask for.  Thank Cara for that.  I've had Edamame hummus before but never edamame guac.  It intrigued me and I'm glad I made it!  My recipe was even easier than Cara's because I bought Ready-to-Eat Edamame at Trader Joes, along with a Guacomole Kit (2 avocados, 1 jalapeno, 4 limes, garlic), Cilantro, Red Onion and Fage Greek Yogurt.  So pretty much you mix those ingredients together in your handy food procesor and well, that's it!  I only used half a jalapeno and it was still pretty spicy.  Not spicy enough not to eat though!  And we somehow have a ton leftover! Can't wait to dig into that tonight : )

Dish 3: Greek Platter

 I cheated 100% on this.  I bought tzatziki, bought Hummus and bought Feta.  So I pretty much did a layer of hummus, layer of tzatziki, and then I mixed diced cucumber, tomato and red onions with mint, dill, salt, pepper, olive oil and red wine vinegar.  Quick and easy platter : )
Besides "watching" the game and eating a ton of food, we also played with our friends adorable babies.  It was a fun night!

What did you do for the superbowl?  What did you make?

21 comments:

  1. OMG I need to try that Edamole! It looks like a delicious alternative to guac, which i have a major obsession with! Great party :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. That Greek platter would be a huge hit with me! I made chili yesterday and just had a lazy day. I rooted for the Packers for the same reasons. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. your Super Bowl snacks look delicious! I'll have to try Cara's edamole some time, sounds so good! I didn't cook anything this weekend - we ordered pizza for the game!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love the Greek platter; such a fun idea to replace "7-layer Mexican dip" :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I made Cara's edamole/gaucamama too! it was awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  6. edamole sounds like my kinda dip. The greek platter is such a great idea, I don't care that you cheated!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Umm can I come live with you?? Your food always looks so good! What an adorable baby :)
    I spent the super bowl eating pizza, wings and brownies! It was the perfect end to the weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow! Everything looks fabulous. I wish I could be there!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Aww! Love your pics!! Yes, I wished we lived closer and could run together!!

    I wanna jump in that edamame hummus! Delish!! Had it for the first time in Kauai!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I literally just gasped when I saw your cheese collage. Nice work!

    ReplyDelete
  11. And by the way, as much as I HATE to admit it, but Rachel Ray's recipes are seriously awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I hung around at home by myself while my hubs went to a friend's house. Fine by me! I kind of hate the idea of going somewhere more than 10 minutes away late on a Sunday night. But I also kind of wish I was eating some of that butternut queso, either on the nachos or as a soup! yum!

    ReplyDelete
  13. The nachos look great! I would love to be a guest at any of your parties. Yum!

    ReplyDelete
  14. So delicious! My party was missing some nachos and those look perfect! I think I'm still recovering from Superbowl Sunday because my best friend's dad is a die-hard Packers fan and through a giant party - catered for about 75 people. Lots of food, drinks, laughing, and craziness...and they won! The champagne was flowing ;)

    ReplyDelete
  15. I heated up soup for the Superbowl :) but I think your nachos look so good. Making me hungry right now :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. yum, those nachos look amazing! def going to try those out.

    ReplyDelete
  17. LOVE that idea of the greek platter!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. All your food looks awesome! I would have eaten a lot of everything! I too was rooting for the Packers and for the same reason, Ben is a big DB!

    I made Boston cream pie cupcakes and a salad :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. definitely a delicious spread!! yay for superbowl parties :)

    ReplyDelete