Once a year people come together for one of the biggest sports events of the year. The Superbowl is more than just watching a game it’s about being together cheering for your team watching the much anticipated commercials and of course digging in to some really great food. Whether you’re having a great big get-together or just inviting a few close friends over everyone can enjoy the savory appetizers dishes and sweet that come with the greatest American sports event. Throw on your green and yellow or black and yellow and head to the kitchen! Warning: Article may bring upon strong hunger sensations.
1. Chili
There has never been a Superbowl party that I have been to that doesn’t have a pot of hot chili at the table. Football isn’t complete without this meaty dish! You can’t go wrong with this hearty meal and a big pot of chili will feed all of your hungry guests. The rich combination of ground meat beans tomatoes and fresh veggies will fill up any stomach. And some melted cheese and dollop of sour cream on top and you will leave every football fan satisfied.
2. Cornbread
Obviously your hot bowl of chili wouldn’t be complete without a slice of cornbread. This moist and warm sweet bread complements the spicy flavors of the chili. Crumble up your cornbread and mix it into your bowl or eat it on the side cornbread is a must for all chili lovers. You can make it from scratch with tid-bits of real corn or buy a box of Jiffy cornbread mix for under a dollar! Whether served from the traditional hot skillet or on the side of your chili bowl you can never have enough cornbread at a Superbowl party. For a sweeter treat drizzle some warm honey on top!
3. Barbeque Chicken Wings
Just hearing the word barbeque makes my mouth water. No summer grill or tailgate is complete without some kind of barbeque. One of my personal favorites is barbeque chicken. You can use any part of the chicken throw it on the grill and then lather it with your choice of barbeque sauce. If you don’t own a grill you can always buy pre-made barbeque chicken at Ralph’s or make it semi-homemade by purchasing baked chicken and then adding barbeque sauce to it. If you like your wings spicy splash on some hot sauce to give them that extra kick. Or if you prefer your wings a little sweet add a dash of honey on top. Make sure to get enough chicken for everyone! These birds will be flying off the table.
4. Black bean and corn salsa
Whether it’s used as a dip or a side this salsa is one of the easiest things to make. I make this all the time and it’s great for a quick snack or a tasty dip. Start with 2 cans of black beans 3 or 4 roma tomatoes and 2 cups of frozen corn and you have your salsa. Sprinkle some salt over the salsa to your liking and add a bit of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Dash some cumin if you like and I always add a few squirts of lemon juice. Have it as a side or dip your favorite chip in it this salsa is easy to make and easy to please!
5. Nachos
If there’s one Superbowl food that really combines the goodness of chips meat salsa and cheese nachos are the result. Any college student can make a plate of nachos. All you really need are a bag or two of tortilla chips a few pounds of ground beef grated cheese a few cups of salsa sour cream and really whatever you prefer to have on your nachos. Bake for 10 minutes or less in a 350 F oven until the cheese looks hot and bubbly. You can find a variety of nacho recipes online too. Make the nachos your own and if they stick together the better! Remember that during the Superbowl being messy is half the fun.
6. Buffalo Chicken Dip
I first tried this at a potluck last semester and it was one of the best dips I had ever tasted. Made with chicken cream cheese cheddar cheese hot sauce and ranch dressing it certainly makes for an interesting combination but the result is phenomenal. My friend Mariesa has generously given me the recipe to share!
Mariesa’s Buffalo Chicken Dip
1-2 Chicken breasts
1 8 oz. package of cream cheese
1 8 oz. package of cheddar cheese
Hot sauce
Ranch dressing
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Place chicken breasts in a saucepan; cover with water. Boil until cooked through for about 20 minutes. Remove from water and cool. Shred chicken and set aside.
Spread a layer of cream cheese with a spoon or spatula on the bottom of an 8 x 8 glass pan. Add a layer of cheddar cheese and then a layer of chicken. Top with some ranch dressing and hot sauce.
Repeat until all the chicken is used and to finish top with a layer of cheddar cheese.
Bake in the oven for 30 minutes until golden and bubbly. Serve with crackers or chips. Enjoy!
7. Fruit salad with yogurt
For all of the sports fans out there that want to go lighter during the game or perhaps just want something refreshing after all the rich food fruit salad is the perfect answer. You can really add whatever fruit you want because you can’t go wrong with more fruit! Pick out some juicy grapes honeydew melon oranges and apples and top with a dollop of yogurt or any dressing and just like that you can refresh your palate.
8. Guacamole
Your chip bowl isn’t complete without a fresh bowl of guacamole next to it. It’s so easy to make too. Start with 3 avocados (make sure they’re ripe!) an onion 2 cloves of garlic 1 or 2 tomatoes and for the brave souls out there a jalapeno. Mash the avocados and chop up the rest of the ingredients. Add a sprinkle of salt and a little lemon juice and place it right next to those tortilla chips! My personal favorite chips are the white corn Santitas chips (only $2 a bag!).
9. Chocolate chip cookies
Yes even classic chocolate chip cookies make the list. Who doesn’t like a warm and chewy cookie straight out of the oven? Whether you choose to buy the break-and-bake kind or make them from scratch you really can’t go wrong with having chocolate chip cookies at a Superbowl party. If you make them from scratch you can even add a cup of peanut butter to your cookie dough to make peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. Feeling extra daring? Crush up 15-20 Oreos and add to your dough! Whatever you decide there’s no one at a party who will deny a fresh cookie.
10. Toffee Brownies
What is it about brownies that complete a Superbowl party? Perhaps it’s just the smell of the hot fudgy chocolate right out of the oven that draws us to the plate. You can make them cakey (like my dad prefers them) or extra moist and fudgy. I made a plate of Paula Deen’s Toffee Brownies and took them to a potluck last semester and they were gone in seconds. Paula’s recipe is really easy (y’all) and all you need to do to make these brownies extra delectable is by adding 3 candy bars in the middle. Start with a basic package of brownie mix and after preparing the mix pour half of the batter into the pan. Lay 3 6-ounce toffee candy bars (Paula uses Hershey’s Symphony bars) and then pour the rest of the batter on top. Bake according to the package and serve. Bet you can’t have just one!