It’s that time of year again, where people of all ages come together to drink beer, eat food, and collectively act like Neanderthals.  Nothing brings people together quite like Super Bowl Sunday.  You can walk into any bar and find masses of people sitting elbow to elbow, stuffing their faces, and throwing back a cold one.  While I admit a bar is a nice to place to watch the big game, I can guarantee that you will be far more angry when you get sacked by your tab then you were at any point during the game.  Unless you Quarterback Sneak it out of there, you’ll be pulling a Hail Marry with your wallet.  Instead of dropping the ball like Jackie Smith in Super Bowl XIII, recover the fumble by moving the party home.  Whether you host the party yourself, or “phone a friend,” a pot luck party is a great way to save money without skimping on the variety.  If you’re hosting the party, “play with a friend” as the 40-Year Old Virgin would say.  Make a couple of game day faves and have your friends do the rest.  If you’re going to the party don’t be the guy that shows up with a bag of tositios and a jar of salsa-  put your best dish forward and actually make something. You can do it put your back into it; even if it means throwing some tomatoes and jalapenos in a block of cheese.  When you go home with a full stomach and full wallet, at the end of the day you’ll be a winner (even if you were cheering for the losing team).

Here are a few recipes that are always a crowd pleaser.  Believe me they’ve been tested at several parties!

Chicken Chili a la Christine

4 cloves of garlic

1 large onion

1-2 hot peppers (suggested 1 habanero 1 jalapeno)

2 plum tomatoes

2 tomatoes on the vine

½ lb to 1lb ground turkey

3 links chicken sausage

1 can black beans

1 can kidney beans

1 can pinto beans

1/2 bottle of beer (Budweiser recommended)

1 can san marzano tomatoes

1 tbsp franks red hot sauce

1 tsp smoked chlli powder

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp liquid smoke

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Mince garlic and dice onion, peppers tomatoes.  Add onion, garlic and peppers to a large skillet and cook until translucent.  Remove sausage from casing and add turkey then season with salt and pepper.  Transfer to large crock pot and add canned ingredients, beer, and seasoning. Cover and cook for two hours on high or 4 on low.  *Note:  recipe is for medium heat chili- adjust based on taste.

Baked Wings with Sour Cream Dipping Sauce

1 pkg frozen chicken wings (plain)

1 1/4 cup Franks Hot Sauce

1/4 cup olive oil or smoked olive oil

4 tsbp margarine or butter (melted)

2 tsp Paprika

2 tsp Garlic powder

1 tsp Smoked Chili Powder

Dijon Mustard

Salt Pepper, and McCormick Montreal Chicken Seasoning

Directions:

Lightly coat wings with mustard and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, chili, paprika , and chicken seasoning.  Combine hot sauce, olive oil, butter and season with salt, pepper, chili and paprika.  Bake then toss wings in sauce. Serve hot.

Sour Cream Dipping Sauce:

1 cup fat free sour cream or Greek yogurt

1 pkg ranch dip mix

A handful of chives

3 heads of garlic- roasted

Combine ingredients in a bowl, puree garlic and add to mixture.  Serve cold.

Roasted Tomato and Corn Salsa with Baked Tortilla Chips

4 tomatoes

1/2 can of corn

3 cloves of garlic

1 medium  red onion

1 lime- juiced

1 tsp lemon juice

2 tbsp Cilantro

Garlic powder, salt and pepper

Directions

Roast tomato and corn until charred.  Mince tomato and garlic and add to a bowl with the corn.  Add cilantro and juice.  Season to taste.  Served chilled.

Tortilla Chips

1 pkg whole wheat tortillas

Olive oil

Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Smoked Paprika

Directions

Cut chips into triangle.  Place on baking sheet and season.  Bake until golden brown.

Keep your wallets full and your mouths happy! <3 DD

Copyright © 2013 Christine Van Arsdalen. All Rights Reserved