Monday, January 30, 2012

"Super" Foods for the SuperBowl

It's Superbowl Week in case you didn't know.  And for once I care MORE about the game then I do about the food.  You know, because my team is playing.  
New England Patriots vs New York Giants.  The Rematch.  
This Guy: Eli Manning
Versus: This Guy: Tom Brady
The Man.  I mean who would you want on your side?

All I can say is as a New England sports fan, we've been through a lot of heartbreak.  You know the whole not winning a World Series in 86 years.  Then everything got turned around.  The Red Sox won in 2004 and 2007.  The Celtics won in 2008. The Bruins won in 2011. The Patriots won in 2002, 2004 and 2005.  Then they crushed our hearts when they lost in 2007 to the Giants with an undefeated record.  I have faith this won't happen again!  I believe in our team! Jesus may be with Tim Tebow, but God is with us... I mean how else can you explain this?

It's NO GOOD!  Wide Left! The Patriots are in the Superbowl!
On a side note, how hysterical is this?
Poor Poor Bill Cundiff, courtesy of Bar Stool Sports

Okay, moving on.  Besides the game, what's the most important thing at a Super Bowl Party?  
FOOD, of course.

Here's a list of the "Super" Foods you should have at your Super Bowl gathering. Or at least some easy options for your party! And I mean EASSSSY.

FINGER FOODS
Buffalo Chicken Bites
3 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, cut into bit size pieces
1/2 Package of Seasoned Shake N Bake Mixture
1/2 Cup of Panko Breadcrumbs
1 Cup of your Favorite Buffalo Wing Sauce
3 Tablespoons of Honey
Instructions:
Preheat Oven to 350. Pour Seasoning Mixture and Panko Breadcrumbs into bowl.  Mix Chicken bites with Mixture until coated.  Spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray and add Chicken. Bake for 20 minutes.  Meanwhile, add sauce and honey to another bowl and microwave for three minutes.  Take chicken out and add to sauce mixture and mix well, then serve!


 
Taco Bites
Both recipes are adjustable and really simple.  Use ground beef or ground turkey, add some seasonings.  Spray muffin pan and add either wonton wrappers or small flour or corn tortillas into each slot.  Fill with ground meat, and shredded cheese.  Top with either salsa or sliced up tomato and avocado!

Edamole- 
a mix of guac and edamame!
 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.  So as I always say, taste as you go and season as needed with salt and pepper.


Southwestern Egg Rolls
In the filling mix was 1 cup of corn, 1 can of black beans, 1 small can of green chiles, 1 10oz package of defrosted spinach, 4 diced green onions, cayenne pepper, cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper. And all you do to wrap them is put the filling in the middle, fold up the bottom, then the sides, then roll it over and close the flap.  Then you bake for 15-20 minutes at 375°. Serve with Salsa!



Zucchini Pizzas
(I used low-fat turkey pepperoni, keep in mind you don't have a ton of room on these small slices!)
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Preheat grill to medium-high.  Cut zucchini into thick slices about 3/4 inch thick.  Grill the zucchini 7-8 minutes, or until there are some grill marks and it's starting to be tender. Remove zucchini from the grill or grill pan then add sauce, cheese, pepperoni.  Put loaded zucchini slices on a cookie sheet and finish in the oven until the cheese is melted or if you used a grill, and not a grill pan, put them back on the grill until the cheese melts.Remove zucchini pizzas from grill and serve hot. 

MAIN DISH:
Quinoa Chili
Combine quinoa and water/broth in saucepan, cover and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook until liquid is absorbed, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, heat a large, non-stick pan; add onion, bell pepper, celery and jalapeno. Saute 7 minutes over medium heat. Stir in fresh tomatoes and carrots; saute 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in beans, crushed tomatoes, and seasonings; cook about 25 minutes over low heat, stirring occasionally. Stir in quinoa; cook 5 minutes more. Ladle chili into bowls and top with avocado and cheese.

DESSERT
3 Ingredient PB Cup Cookies
Throw about 20-24 PB cups in a food processor.  Process away, then add in 1 egg.  Continue to process.
Then scoop cookie dough into small balls onto a lined cookie sheet.  
Flatten with a fork, add some sea salt.
Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Watch them though! They can burn easily!


So there you have it... easy recipes to make for your gameday celebration, regardless of who you're rooting for.  But, all of these recipes will taste a lot better if you root for the Patriots!  Okay, maybe not, but I can try!

10 comments:

  1. All those snacks look great! But what would make them even better was if the Packers or Saints were in the bowl lol... enjoy the game!

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  2. Two words: Go Giants!

    My boyfriend will be rooting for your team though :-P

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  3. Those cookies sound pretty heavenly! Just PB cups and egg?! Amazing!

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  4. that barstool sports thing is hilarious. thanks for the gameday ideas. go Pats!!

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  5. i'll take those southwestern egg rolls, please! and that ravens ditty is HILLARIOUS. dying over here. ... but i'll be rooting for the men in blue ;)

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  6. Nice looking menu. I will be doing football food vegetarian style. Buffalo Tempeh, Olive Tapenade Pizza, Sun Dried Hummus....

    Now onto more important matters. Are you willing to wager $20 to the charity of your choice for the winner?

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  7. Gooo Giants! :) Can't wait for Sunday! Your food looks amazing!

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  8. Love the round-up. I'm pretty obsessed with buffalo flavored anything so I'll be making something with it this weekend! Go Pats!

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  9. This weekend is going to be awesome. Go Pats!
    Love all of your snack suggestions... esp. those buffalo chicken bites. I loooove buffalo sauce.

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  10. Dean made the taco bites for yesterday's festivities and they were a huge hit! We couldn't find wonton wrappers at the store so we actually used filo dough cut into squares and it was a great substitute. Flaky and delicious. Thanks as always for the inspiration! The game was heartbreaking, but at least the food was good. :)

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