Superbowl   Snacks!!

I don't know a lot about football, but I do know a lot about snacking!  And since one of my dessert creations actually appeared in a commercial during the Superbowl last year (single most exciting moment of my life), I thought I would share a few Superbowl snack ideas.  Plus, I was asked to talk about Superbowl Snacking on NewsTalk 980 CJME so I had to put some thoughts together anyway!

I think the most important thing about preparing snacks for any viewing party is to choose items that you can prepare ahead of time, can be served easily, and will hold well at room temperature as guests will be grazing for hours.  In the case of the Superbowl, you need to also consider that you can't be running to the kitchen to flip appetizers in the oven during the commercial breaks, because we all know you can't miss the commercials!  I like to have a variety of items but you don't need 4 different hot dips!  I would suggest a couple of finger foods, a hot and a cold dip, and perhaps one or two main dishes like a beautiful plate of nachos.  I suppose you could have a veggie tray but I can't imagine anyone getting too excited over it.  If you wanted to serve a more substantial meal, try chili or gumbo in bread bowls, a tourtiere (meat pie), baked beans, or enchiladas, for example.

You cannot go wrong with a meat and cheese platter.  Some of my fondest childhood memories are the sausage and cheese plate we used to make up for every Grey Cup game.  This was THE treat of the year and we would have it all eaten before the game even started.  It remains a tradition to this day.  You can elevate your meat and cheese plate with a variety of each, and add chunks of Parmesan Reggiano drizzled with a balsamic glaze, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and pickled vegetables.

PIZZA!  Why not try something different like a Buffalo Chicken and Blue Cheese Pizza?  They are a match made in heaven.  I believe that anything you can put on a pizza can also be an amazing combination on poutine or nachos.  Just think about that for a moment...Buffalo Chicken and Blue Cheese Nachos??  Yes, please.  And for those of you who frown on blue cheese, try Cambozola.  It's my favourite cheese in the world and is a cross between a Camembert and a Blue, so is a bit milder.

Everyone loves a homemade bread so try whipping up a batch of biscuits to serve with your hot dip or to make slider-style sandwiches.  I call biscuits the "gateway bread" because they're a great place to start making homemade breads and can be in the oven in less than 10 minutes.  Who wouldn't love to have a slider on a homemade biscuit while they watch the Superbowl?  So, on that note, here are three of my SuperSnacks.  Quick, easy and guaranteed to be a hit during the big game! (we'll leave the "fancy schmancy" bites for the Oscars viewing party!)

Beef & Lentil Biscuit Sliders

1/2 C. cold butter
2 C. all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
3/4 C. cold milk
Heat oven to 425 degrees.  In a large bowl, mix all dry ingredients.  Cut butter into dry ingredients until you have pea-sized pieces of dough.  Stir in milk until dough leaves the side of the bowl and then turn onto lightly floured surface.  Knead lightly, until all the flour has been incorporated, but not a second more!  Pat into a 1/2 inch thick disc and cut with a 2 1/2 inch round cookie cutter.  Place on a baking stone, or cookie sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown.

1 lb. ground beef
1/4 C. dry lentils, cooked (optional)
1 egg
1 Tbsp. whole grain mustard
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. ground pepper
Combine all in a large bowl and form approximately 1/4 C. mix into 2 1/2 inch patties.  Cook over medium heat in a frying pan or on a cookie sheet in the oven.  Serve sliders on biscuits with your favourite toppings.  (pictured above with caramelized onions, Boursin cheese, and a splash of greens)

Ranch Sausage Stackers

2 C. cooked, crumbled sausage (I use pork but you could use turkey, chicken or beef)
1 1/2 C. grated cheddar cheese
1 1/2 C. grated monterey jack cheese
1 C. ranch dressing
1 can sliced, black olives
1/2 C. chopped red pepper
1 package fresh wonton wrappers
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Combine all ingredients except for wonton wrappers.  Lightly grease a muffin tin and press one wrapper into each cup.  Brush with oil.  Bake 5 minutes, until golden.  Remove from tin and place on a baking sheet.  Fill with sausage mixture and bake an additional 5 minutes until bubbly.  Serve warm but they are also good at room temperature, and freeze well!

Texas Caviar

1 can each black beans, pinto beans, and black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
2 fresh, chopped jalapeños, with seeds
1 can kernel corn, drained
1 small jar pimentos
1 C. diced onions
1 C. diced celery
1 can diced tomatoes, drained
Mix all together in a large bowl. Whisk together the following to make a dressing:
1/2 C. oil
1/4 C. apple cider vinegar
1/4 C. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
Add enough dressing to bowl to lightly coat your "caviar".  Serve with scoop shaped tortilla chips!