5 SUPER BOWL PARTY MENUS -28+RECIPES

Anyone who has ever planned a Super Bowl party knows it’s different than any other. It’s not a celebration but an anticipation of a celebration. The guests aren’t there to socialize but to watch the game and the hosts are expected to join in, not focus on hospitality. The party isn’t the event, the game is and the memory of the occasion will be the final score.

However don’t kid yourself it is still a party, one which needs special planning because there are particular menu requirements. If you miss the mark, your guests, and possibly your carpets and upholstery will remember. The food has to be flavorful and appetizing, but not ’serious’. It has to be easily consumed, but neither dry nor heavily sauced. Accidents are likely because people are distracted. Above all, it has to be stable enough to be made ahead and held for serving. Other party’s schedules depend on when the food is ready. This one’s timing depends on the timing of the game.

Despite these conditions, a lot of foods fit the bill. So many in fact that when I was framing this post and considering different menus, I reviewed ones I had written on SuperBowl parties in the past and realized there were some darned good ideas there which deserved to be seen again, not buried deeper under still more recipes.

I decided to do something different with this post. I’m writing brief summaries of 5 of my Super Bowl posts with a listing of the recipes in each. Look them over, choose one you like and select the month and year from the drop down menu tab in the right margin of any site page to access the full recipes.

Then stock up on paper napkins and enjoy!!!

Feb 9 2012: Things You Should Know When Planning a Super Bowl Party – Before and After Using Leftovers.

This post is about how to plan the menu and the advantage of having ideas for using leftovers in mind as you  choose the dishes to include in that plan.

One plan is to have, as with any party a main attraction, a focus food, and prepare the other foods to compliment it. Ham is ideal for the occasion and for those who host this event annually, taking advantage of the sales in December is a true economy.  But not only does the food have to compliment the ham, be easily consumed, stable with no runny sauces. It has to be familiar and seasonal, dishes perhaps associated with football games even though this party is indoors.

For example, if you go with the ham, baked beans spring to mind, and a green bean salad in vinaigrette. To round out the buffet, I chose sliced Deli cheese- Swiss or provolone-and a selection of artesian bread loaves. To add the “special” touch, I might put out a grill to make Panini, as an option. For starters, I would chose fresh salsa or guacamole and a salmon dip with taco chips. There would also be bowls of different flavored popcorn and pretzels, as well as a plate of bite-sized, maple flavored meringues for later. All this and more suggestions for appetizers(snacks) and dessert are in this post.

Recipes in this Post for Leftovers
Tortellini alla Panne

 Glamorous Ham Casserole

+4 More Recipes 

Jan.31,2013: An Easy Super Bowl Party to Plan and Host

This post points out that the wise host or hostess of a Super Bowl Party will take into account that special consideration must be given the menu of any event where the focus of attention will be other than pure socialization and where seating at a premium may result in mobile eating.  This becomes even more important if the party is to be indoors, which most Super Bowl Parties, by their nature, are.

Yet not all Super Bowl gatherings require a ham and loaves of bread. Some are small gatherings of a few friends where a casserole supper is more appropriate. Cold cuts are another option, especially when accompanied by a warm dish to lift supper out of the ‘Deli’ category and lend a ‘special’ note.

Spills, however, are still real possibilities and “wet” foods, ones requiring a lot of sauce, gravy or broth like stews and soups should be avoided. This is especially true of recipes based on an excess of ingredients that really stain like red wine. Above all avoid recipes that aren’t fork-friendly. Read more in this post.

Suggested Recipes

Boston Baked Beans

Two Sauce Lasagna

Feb.2, 2014:Super Bowl Recipes – Pulled Pork and Wings

 This post offers a third plan for Super Bowl parties and other casual gatherings that involve eating, and not regular seating.  I still want to serve a roast because they offer the most efficient and economical solution to the problem of serving a large group. Basically, it’s just one main dish, cooked in an oven, or one pot, with others singly or combined, on the side. Roasts are simpler to cook and carve, don’t require sauces or gravies, stay tasty even when done ahead and served at room temperature and can be served on bread as easily as a plate.

The trouble is that most roasts require constant carving while serving or, if done in a pot are far too liquid for buffets. Either way it’s awkward. I considered barbequing, but in winter, the weather is iffy. Finally, the light bulb lit and I remembered pulled pork. It can be cooked in a crock pot, kept warm and simply served with a ladle. The wings are traditional to this event and can be cooked and served from a crock pot as well.

Spinach Salad is a perfect light addition to the pork and wings and can fit on a roll with the pork. The wild rice and black eyed peas also goes with both meats and serves as a nice, contained bed for the pork in place of bread. Meringues are a light, easy finger food to end the meal on a low key. Learn more about this option in this post.

Recipes in This Post

Honey Spiced Wings
Jerk Pulled Pork
Spinach Salad
Wild Rice and Black Eyed Peas
Meringues

Jan. 27, 2015:Super Bowl Sunday

 It’s been kind of fun over the years watching this day grow into an annually celebrated event, evolving its own food traditions. Of course, from the beginning, anything served had to be casual, easily eaten, and sports spectator friendly. As time passed and the game became more of a social occasion covering several hours with elaborate half-time shows, the menu became more extensive.

However, the food still has to be casual, easily consumed and sustainable at room temperature but now the preference is for full flavor as well.  South Western cuisine has become a favorite, probably because that cuisine, generally, fits the requirements. It not only offers many pick-up dishes but also barbeque plays a large part in preparing them. Barbequing is excellent for preparing meats ahead and serving later at room temperature. It’s the spirit of tail-gating indoors.

However, the presence of upholstery and carpets do create a couple of problems, namely spilling and stains. Overly greasy finger foods and runny casseroles can leave permanent memories. Not that people are more carless on this day, but they are distracted. So I’ve stuck to roasts, rolls and drier sides, but this year I’m going to try something different. My guests are fewer so I’m going to focus on a casserole, in an attempt to see if I can cut down on cost and work. Hopefully, my choices which will still keep the spirit intact.

Below are some straightforward and basic dishes to consider which allow adding your own individual touches. Only the first should be served warm the others are fine at room temperature. Find all these recipes in this post.

Glamorous Ham Casserole

Classic Quiche Lorraine

Hamburger Onion Tart

Meat Pudding 

Pie with a Meat Crust: Filled with

• Niblets corn drained+ jarred roasted red peppers+ tomato sauce
• Fresh sliced mushrooms+ cream of mushroom soup + egg
• Substitute cooked brown rice for the mushrooms in above
• Cooked sauced spaghetti or other pasta + beaten egg +cheese
• Equal amounts of pizza toppings For more fluidity omit the egg.
• Garnish as pleased

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Jan.25, 2018:Super Pizzas for the Super Bowl 

Obviously, the special circumstances surrounding a Super Bowl affect the party’s menu choices. This is a casual gathering of friends with a common interest in a sporting event, not in fine dining. People will be distracted and only graze until half-time. The favorites for this phase of the party are the traditional snacks, Doritos (of course) pretzels, potato chips, cheese straws and nuts.  I’ve found different flavored popcorn is popular too. I list some suggestions below.

Half-time circles dinner hour across time zones, from early bird in the west to continental in the east and by then your guests will have worked up an appetite, but they’re still distracted either by the show or the score. So some form of finger food is the best solution. I’ve written several posts (See the blog archives for: 2/9/12, 1/31/13, 2/2/14, 1/29/14) with menus and recipes for different levels of this party, roasts and artesian bread, ’neat’ casseroles etc.  All share an avoidance of fluid dishes and have the ability to be consumed from hand held plates.  This is an occasion where sudden moves are common, spills and dropped utensils frequent and the wise course is to stay away from foods that drip and stain and/or leave grease marks.

Pizza is a perfect solution. It’s moved to gourmet status, giving you a chance to show off your ingenuity, while offering the down-to-earth foods your guests want. A selection will earn you a place on the score card.  A nice touch is to include a platter of raw vegetables, by themselves, not with a dip.  Flavored popcorn is another good addition to the menu.
See All the Recipes in This Post.

Flavored Popcorn

Pizzas: 
Tomato, Feta and Spinach Galettes.

Artichoke Pizza
Smoked Salmon and Spinach Pizza
Asparagus Pizza
Pizza Margarita Plus
Mexican Beef Pizza
Tomato, Eggplant and Pepperoni Pizza