The Super Bowl is turning 51 this year and at this point it might as well be made an official American holiday. On the 5th of February house parties will commence, fans will be shouting at their televisions, and bets will be placed. While all this is going on we have no doubt that the best part of this day (besides your favorite team scoring) is the food. Scrumptious and tempting spreads of all kinds will be laid out on tables all over America and we want to make sure yours rises to the top. Yes, we know of the typical market bought crudité and popcorn mixes paired with seven layered dip, sub sandwich platters, and hot wings with ranch. However, we’re looking to bump the classic Superbowl spread up a notch. With the help from some of our family favorites, you can create tasty homemade hors d’oeuvres that will leave your party guests with wanting more than a few touchdowns on the scoreboard.
The best type of food is the kind you can hold in one hand while having an icy drink in the other, and these mini burgers with pimento cheese are the perfect bite for just that. These are a personal favorite and no super bowl party would be complete without a few smokey grill marks and gooey cheese. You’ll be sure to earn the hostess with the mostess title with these savory bites!
Serves 4
4 oz extra-sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 jar (4 oz) pimentos, drained and finely minced
1 ½ tablespoon finely chopped green onions, white and green portions
1 ½ teaspoons salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Pinch of black pepper
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 1/4 pound ground beef
12 Parker House rolls, each 2 inches wide, warmed
Lettuce leaves, sliced tomatoes or other favorite burger accompaniments
In a bowl, combine the cheddar cheese, pimentos, green onions, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, the cayenne and black pepper. Stir in the mayonnaise until incorporated. Refrigerate the pimento cheese until ready to use.
In a bowl, combine the ground beef and the remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Divide into 12 equal portions and gently form into balls, then shape the balls into patties.
Heat a nonstick grill pan over medium-high heat. Working in batches, cook the burgers for 1 to 2 minutes, then flip them. Spoon the pimento cheese onto the burgers and cook for 1 to 2 minutes more, or until done to your liking.
Serve the burgers immediately on Parker House rolls with your favorite burger accompaniments.
Nachos are messy and over-sized burritos fall apart, but tacos are a cult classic. Bring nostalgic state fair flavors into your home with our Old California State Fair Taco recipe. No need to worry about the dishes, either. The tortilla will suffice keeping all of the juicy flavors together so you can indulge in this family favorite completely mess-free. Paired with fruity sangria or your favorite margarita and these tacos are a total game-winner.
Makes 6 to 8 Servings
1 potato (about 4 inches long)
¼ head lettuce
3 cloves garlic
6 green onions
1 pound lean ground beef
1 cup water
½ small can green chilies
Salt and pepper
12 – 14 white corn tortillas
Vegetable oil
Boil or microwave the potato until it’s soft. Cool, remove the skin, mash so pieces are no bigger than 1/8 inch each. Set aside.
Very thinly slice, as thinly as possible, the lettuce. Cut these thin strips into pieces about one inch long. Set aside.
Crush the garlic, set aside.
Slice green onions very thin. Use all of the white part and about ¾ inch of the green part. Break the rings apart, place in a bowl. Brown the ground beef in a skillet. Break up the beef so it cooks into teeny tiny pieces. When completely cooked, drain any fat. Return to pan. Add the water, onion, chilies, garlic, salt and pepper. Stir completely to mix and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add the lettuce and cook for another 5 minutes. Add the potato, stir and cook until the lettuce is very soft – about another 15 minutes. Add more water if necessary. The final consistency should be thick. Either steam the tortillas or fry them lightly. To fry lightly, heat 1/4 inch of oil to medium hot. Once hot, place tortilla in oil for 2 seconds. Flip using tongs and cook 2 seconds on other side. Blot dry with paper towels and keep warm until you’ve done all of the tortillas. Put tortilla on a plate.
Spoon meat mixture onto tortilla and roll up. If you want, add some taco sauce before rolling. Eat and en joy!
At kick-off you devoured delicious mini burgers and tacos, the halftime show has now concluded, your food coma has subsided, and you are craving something sweet. This day is as American as it gets and would not be complete without our All-American Chocolate Cake recipe. We may disagree on who will come out victorious at the Superbowl, but we can all agree on one thing for sure: Chocolate cake takes the, well, cake.
Serves 8
Sift together in a large bowl:
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
Put in heavy sauce pan:
1 stick butter
½ cup butter
3 heaping tablespoon cocoa or 1 ½ square chocolate
1 cup water
Bring pan ingredients to a rapid boil and then pour over flour and sugar mixture. Stir well and add:
½ cup buttermilk
2 eggs
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 tablespoon vanilla
Mix well. Pour into well greased jelly roll pan.
Bake at 400° F for 20-25 minutes.
Start preparing frosting a few minutes before cake is done.
1 stick butter
4 tablespoon cocoa
½ cup milk
Bring ingredients to boil in saucepan. Remove from heat and add:
1 pound box powdered sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla
Beat well. Spread over hot cake while cake is still in pan. Cut in squares and serve.
Bon Appetit! Ox
