It's Superbowl Time...

[cheesecake17]

Hosting again this year, and I want to try to make it easy on myself. Going with yellow plastic plates, cups, and utensils. We're about 15, mostly big eating guys, and I wanted to try to make something that would appeal to everyone. No vegetarians in the group, but we do keep kosher, so no dairy for this meal...

Here's what I was thinking:
- guacamole & chips
- asian glazed chicken drummettes
- crispy coconut chicken strips
- brisket sliders with apple bbq sauce.
- chili
- tossed salad
- beets (lime/cilantro dressing)
- sweet potato & regular fries (baked)
- coleslaw
- string beans (sesame & soy dressing)

What can I add or take away?
Dessert will be taken care of by the guests...

[iL Divo]

Take nothing away or add anything. Just tell me where my invite is please

[cheesecake17]

thanks :)

I ended up taking away the string beans- at $4.99/lb it was just too expensive.
And I added pigs in blankets, black bean dip, hummus, salsa, sweet potato chips, and a platter of cold cuts... the amount of guests is now 25.

[iL Divo]

Mind sharing your hummus recipe or was it store bought?

[cheesecake17]

Sure- very easy to make but not really a recipe. I go by feel and I keep tasting as I go along.
In a food processor combine 2 cans chickpeas, zest and juice of 2 lemons, heaping tablespoon tahini, splash of olive oil, splash of water, salt, black pepper.
If you want it chunky, pulse until it's half smooth and half chunky. If you want it smooth (the way I made it yesterday) turn the food processor on and let it go for a few minutes. Taste and add more lemon or tahini or water

I usually don't add more salt until it's sat in the fridge for a few hours, otherwise I feel it gets too salty.

[pegasus505]

I recently tried Paula Deen's bacon wrapped chicken bites and they were good. Cut chic ken breasts into 1" cubes and salt and pepper them. Cut bacon into thirds. Wrap each cube in bacon and secure with toothpick. Combine 2 T chili powder and 2/3 firmly packed brown sugar with cayenne to taste. Roll the bacon wrapped chicken in the brown sugar mixture. Bake at 350 for about 30 -35 minutes, turning the wraps over 10 minutes before they are done. They were delicious!!

[funniduck]

I volunteered to bring tater tots with the works: crumbled bacon, cheese, sour cream, guacamole, jalapenos. very excited....

[todao]

In place of salad(s), it might be fun to offer lettuce wraps (Oriental with shredded chicken breast, chopped green onions, mushrooms, water chestnuts, garlic, etc; or South Western with taco meat and seasoning; or North Eastern with Shrimp or Lobster fillings) along with the typical types of foods.

[cheesecake17]

Great suggestions.. I've done both of those in past years. One year we did a chicken taco/burrito bar and another year we did an asian wrap bar with lettuce wraps.

[GretchenS]

Great-sounding menu but yes, you do have to get rid of some things or you will be too tired to watch the game! I adjust our menu based on whether our team is in or not -- if so, I don't serve anything that requires a fork because no one wants to remove their eyes from the screen long enough to use it -- forks only for other teams. I'm thinking you don't need salad and beets and coleslaw and string beans, because let's face it, Super Bowl is for being gluttonous not virtuous. I'd do slaw and either beets or beans.

[Veggie Liv]

I second that. This is a super bowl party for a bunch of men, so you don't need to fuss around with too many salads. Maybe omit the regular salad.

Also, do you need all of that chicken? I think if you just made a good amount of one or the other (probably the wings), you would be OK. You want to impress, I understand, but you also don't want to stress yourself out too much or not be able to watch the game. If you are worried about the amount of food, keep an emergency bag of chips on hand and break that out when everyone has had sufficient beers and doesn't care anymore =)

Also, what is your recipe for the beets with cilantro lime dressing?? That sounds so delicious!

[cheesecake17]

Just found out we're now having 20 guests! I said mostly men b/c we're having a few single guys in addition to all the couples. It'll be about 20 adults + two school age kids (who will eat everything), two 1yo kids (who will prob eat before) + an infant or two.

I know in the past all the vegetable dishes have finished... the wives (about 6 of us) will definitely go for the salds and veg before the meat. Most can be prepared the night before anyway.

Re the chicken... one guy friend can't eat red meat, and the 4 kiddos are good to eat the chicken-- their moms already ok'd it. So figuerd I might as well prepare both since they are simple recipes.

Oh.. and I don't watch the game!! I usually have no idea who is even playing! We host b/c our apartment can fit everyone (and the strollers!) comfortably and we've got a pretty big tv.

[cheesecake17]

beets with cilantro and lime-
peel and cube beets
roast with s/p and olive oil until tender
toss with dressing
sprinkle some more cilantro on top

dressing- fresh lime juice, lime zest, finely chopped cilantro, salt, pepper, pinch of chili powder, olive oil

If you're going to make it in advance, add in the cilantro right before serving.

[Veggie Liv]

Sounds interesting! I might have to try that. I don't think the boys around my house would like it for a Superbowl part, but I'm sure it would be delicious with dinner.

[cheesecake17]

It's really good... my mother in law makes it with canned beet slices.

I'm lucky! The guys coming over for superbowl are pretty big vegetable eaters!