Whether you’re parked in front of the TV this Sunday to root on the Packers, the Steelers or the commercials, having the right mix of game day grub is essential. Too many buffalo-sauce-drenched, sriracha-spiked, jalapeno-topped treats, and you’ll be spending halftime emptying your fridge, feebly hoping that something will quench the scorching pain in your throat.
Too many fried foods, and you can practically hear your stomach gurgling angsty “I hate you”s the next day. Expect a similar outcome with too many sweets, only you’ll get the wild, 20-minute rush of a sugar high just before slipping into a food coma of self-loathing.
It’s a delicate balance, really.
You don’t have to give up those classic Superbowl snacks though –just opt for some minor modifications, and keep a hearty mix of fresh fruits and vegetables on hand to offset all of the heavier options.
Dishes That Practically Guarantee a Good Time:
Steelers’ “7 Layers for 7 Rings” Dip
Go Green Bay Guacamole (Slightly adapted from Dos Caminos restaurants) — Finely chop 2 tbsp cilantro, 1 tbsp onion, 2 tbsp plum tomatoes and 1 tbsp jalapenos/serrano chiles. Sprinkle in a light pinch of salt, then mash the ingredients together with a spoon. Add in 3 mashed (and peeled/deseeded) avocados and 1 & 1/2 tbsp lime juice. Mix it all together. Gradually sprinkle in more salt, pepper, jalapenos or cilantro to intensify the flavor. Add more mashed avocado and diced tomatoes to cool it down.
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I’m-Only-in-It-for-the-Commercials Buffalo Chicken Balls (from Pennies on a Platter)
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Touchdown White Chocolate Peanut Butter Dip with apple slices, bananas and pretzels
So-Good-Who-Cares-What-The-Score-Is Fruit Salsa and Cinnamon Chips
Baconnaise Turkey Clubs — Enhance the traditional turkey club by using Baconnaise in place of mayo
Mini Sausage and Pepper Hot Dogs — Make these Fourth of July Firecracker dogs, then cut ’em in half (or thirds) for easy noshing
Italian Sausage Nachos — Remove 1/2 pound spicy Italian sausage from its casing, breaking it up into crumbles and browning it in a saucepan over medium heat. Sprinkle in a little oregano and sage for added flavor. Drain the excess oil from the sausage. In the meantime, prepare a cup of brown rice according to the package’s directions.
Chop up 2 tablespoons of cilantro and add it to the cooked rice. Once that’s done, cover a baking sheet with a hearty layer of tortilla chips, then spoon on a layer of cilantro rice and sausage before coating with a layer of mozzarella (or, in our case, colby jack) cheese. Place the dish in the oven on broil until the cheese has melted (about 5 minutes). Remove it from the oven and top with diced tomatoes and onions, then serve.
Highlights from the night:
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