Super duper Sunday

Happy Friday everyone! It's really hard to work after a wonderful Afghan lunch on South Grand today with my husband.

Yes, it's that time of year again, when we all look forward to the latest ads for the Super Bowl. US Today has a great article today about what makes a good one. Not that long ago, I actually worked for a company where we got to watch the company's commercials before Super Sunday. (That was one of the best perks because I didn't have to sit and pay attention on game day, since I don't have Tivo).

So how do you get a Super Party up and running at a moment's notice? Well, it's helpful if you know your audience. Since I am lucky enough to have space, I keep one fridge stocked with drinks, from juice and boxed chocolate milk for the kids to beer and wine for the grownups. If you don't have the space, get out your cooler, or pick up some of the cheap styrofoam ones and ice your drinks before the party. Beer and soda normally are cold in about two hours. If it's cold in your area, just keep your beverages outside for a while on a patio or balcony.

I like to keep paper plates, bowls (must be sturdy, not the super cheap thin paper ones) and plastic cups on hand, too, for this purpose. If you don't want to spend the money, use the cups and glasses you already have. The advantage is that you have less dishes to wash and no one will break a family heirloom when they jump up to scream at the ref for a bad call.

For snacks, my rule is "if I won't eat it later, I'm not buying it". I buy basics and go from there. My Super Duper shopping list would include:

--chips (tortilla and ridged potato)
--salsa (mild and really hot)
--cheeses (cheddar, colby, jack, swiss are all good)
--assorted crackers (wheat, Triscuit, etc.)

Also, if you know your audience, you know who will and who won't eat certain things. If you're not sure, ask. There's no sense in wasting your money on items no one likes. Other goodies that go well are popcorn (plain and flavored), pretzels and snack crackers like Ritz or Cheez-Its.

In case you haven't noticed from a lot of the food promotions lately, chili and hot dips are also popular items. Chili is a fun, easy way to mix things up at your party. You can make your basic chili (not too hot) and add side items like shredded cheese, chopped onions, red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, oyster crackers and jalapenos and everyone can dress up the chili as they see fit.

Here's a quick chili recipe for your Super Duper party.

Ingredients:

3 lbs. lean ground beef (such as ground round)
1 chopped onion, medium to large
6 cans (15-16oz) Brooks Chili Hot Beans (or other brand chili beans)
2 cans tomato soup
2 cans Ro-Tel tomatoes or plain chopped tomatoes for chili
additional chili powder to taste

Equipment:

skillet, large stockpot (6-8 qt or above) or crockpot, knives, spoons

Procedure:

Heat skillet and saute onion.
When onion is cooked, add raw ground beef.
Break up meat and brown until no longer pink.
Drain any grease from meat.
Add meat and onion to large pot or crockpot and mix in tomato soup, chili beans and tomatoes.
Simmer slowly for 2 hours on medium heat stirring frequently or add to crockpot and set to high, also stirring regularly.

When chili bubbles, get a small bowl and add a couple of spoons of chili from the pot. This is your seasoning check. If you need a little more chili powder, add it to your large pot now. Repeat your taste test to verify spicing.

REMEMBER: you can always add more spice, but it's hard to take it out.

Ideally, you do not want to overboil your chili. If it starts boiling, turn the temperature down.

Serving:

Serve with any of the above add-ons to make the chili you always wanted -- hot, spicy, cheesy or crunchy.

Relax and enjoy your chili with a nice, cold beverage of your choice as you watch your team go on to glory (or infamy).

NOTE: It's really great when you remember to publish your drafts. ;->