Monday, January 28

The Super Bowl DESERVES Super Food!


The Super Bowl has become a nationwide event and one of America's favorite sporting spectacles. Unofficially it's a national holiday - leading to the gatherings of family, friends and neighbors all across America. The Super Bowl is an advertiser's dream, a food lover's fantasy and the halftime show has become the year's most anticipated and scrutinized concert. And, oh yeah, there's a football game, too! It's not only a day of indulgence for the sports fans but for the foodies as well and this is one time where haute cuisine is unwelcomeSupermarket staples such as Velveeta and cocktail franks soar in sales, as the nation blows its New Year's resolutions for a of night queso dip and a bucket of wings. Whether it’s the game, the commercials, the half-time show, the snacks, or the company, most everyone has a reason to tune in for the Super Bowl. 

This year I will be feeding my football and foodie fans three of my favorite snacks, that serve as a light meal. Try one or all, or make your fan's favorites and enjoy this years Super Bowl. By the way.....does anyone know who's playing? 

Meatball Bubble Biscuits
This appetizer is great for pretty much every event. It’s quick, easy, and most of the ingredients are probably already in your pantry, fridge or freezer. Most importantly they are crowd pleasers! These small bites can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated until you choose to bake them. This recipe can be easily doubled. Serve them up with a big bowl of marinara sauce and watch them disappear. 

Makes 20 Small Bite Rolls

INGREDIENTS

  • 12 oz. can of Pillsbury Golden Layers refrigerated flaky biscuits
  • 20 small, frozen cooked meatballs
  • 4 sticks of string cheese
  • Grated Parmesan cheese
  • Italian seasoning
  • Garlic powder
  • Marinara sauce

WHAT TO DO

  • Heat your oven to 375 degrees F. 
  • Set aside your meatballs as you separate each of the 10 biscuits in half and cut each stick of string cheese into 5 pieces. You should have 20 parts of each. 
  • Place one meatball  along with a string cheese piece into the center of a biscuit half. Roll the dough into a ball so that it completely covers the meatball and the cheese. Do this with all 20 meatballs, and arrange them in  un-greased 8 or 9 inch round cake pans. 
  • Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder over the meatball biscuits to your liking. 
  • Bake the biscuits for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown on top. 
  • Serve with marinara sauce on the side.


Buffalo Chicken Dip
If you make this hot savory dip for your guest, you just might want to make a double batch. It will be the first small bite to go! Everyone LOVES this familiar flavor.

Makes one good size bowl 

INGREDIENTS

  • 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup good-quality Blue Cheese or Ranch salad dressing
  • 1/2 cup Buffalo Wing Sauce
  • 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
  • 2 cans (12.5 oz. each) Chunk Chicken Breast in Water, drained

WHAT TO DO
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. 
  • Mix all ingredients and place in a pretty oven-proof serving bowl. Bake for 20 minutes or until heated through and bubbly. 
  • Serve with good quality crackers and celery.


Artichoke and Spinach Dip
This is a great appetizer for those who enjoy making and taking something in their Crock-Pot. Using a Crock-Pot makes this quick bite simple, while keeping the dip hot. I like French bread with this dip. Oh YUM!

Makes one Full Crock Pot or Good Sized Serving Bowl


INGREDIENTS

  • 1 9 oz. box of frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed to drain
  • 1 14 oz. can quartered artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 3/4 tsp garlic salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese

WHAT TO DO

  • Mix all ingredients in a large Crock-Pot. 
  • Cover and cook on low for 2 to 4 hours before serving. Or fill  a conventional oven dish and bake at 350 degrees F until bubbly; about 20 minutes.

I will be rounding out our Super Bowl feast with a ham and cheese sandwich tray, a few bags of chips, veggie and fruit trays and a dessert tray with my three small bite favorites: Blue Ribbon Brownies {find recipe here}, MeMe's Lemon Bars {find recipe here} and Chocolate Chip-Pretzel cookies and Candy Bar cookies {find recipe here.}. A huge pitcher of Texas sweet tea and a sink full of iced down cold drinks will round out our noshing buffet nicely.

This may look like a chore you do not wish to tackle, but it takes very little effort and the majority can be assembled ahead of time. Here's a quick rundown of a successful schedule.

EARLIER IN THE DAY OR THE NIGHT BEFORE
  • Assemble Bubble Rolls; place in cake pans, cover and refrigerate. 
  • Mix together both dips; place in oven-proof serving bowls, cover and refrigerate.
  • Make Ham and Cheese sandwiches; plate on serving tray, cover and refrigerate.
  • Pull brownies, lemon bars and cookies from freezer*; plate on serving tray, cover and leave on the kitchen counter.
  • Put together veggie and fruit trays; cover and refrigerate.
  • Make sweet tea; refrigerate. 
*If you don't have these bite-sized dessert in your freezer and don't want to take time to make them, then by all means buy them at your local bakery or corner market.

30 - 45 MINUTES TO KICK-OFF
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  • Place the Crock Pot liner, filled with Spinach dip, into the Crock Pot and turn to medium. When heated through, turn down to the keep warm setting of you CP, set aside.
  • Bake Bubble Rolls and heat Buffalo Dip in the same pre-heated 375 degree oven. 
  • Pull sandwich, veggie and fruit trays from refrigerator.
  • Throw drinks in an ice chest, galvanized tub or even the kitchen sink that's been packed with ice. 
  • Remove rolls and dip from oven. Arrange Bubble rolls on serving plate.
  • Set your dishes out in an easy flow pattern; plates, napkins and utensils at one end and drinks at the other.
  • ...and make way for your hungry fans!

Your little football buffet will come together beautifully with relative ease, assuring an evening full of friends, football, fun and food. Serve your footballs fans an easily prepared, yet tasty light meal...
...you'll be glad ya did!

ENJOY!
~THE DOMESTIC CURATOR~
RONDA

Whether you have friends over or head to your local sports bar, take the time
to be with good friends and family, watch amazing football and eat some
lip-smacking delicious food and may the team of your choosing win!


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