VALDOSTA — According to the New York Daily News, The Super Bowl has more viewers than any other televised event. That is exactly why Valdosta Today wants to prepare you for the perfect Super Bowl Sunday with tips from Crawford Ker, NFL alumni. Ker played for both, Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos so it’s safe to say he’s no amateur to Super Bowl Sunday.
1. Make it a fiesta: A Super Bowl party hosted by Ker requires three crucial ingredients: Chicken wings, beer and, of course, deliciously cheesy nachos. Nachos are loved by everyone, and they’re perfect for sharing, quick and easy to make, customizable and completely mouth-watering.
2. Get real with beer: Beer is synonymous with football, so you obviously can’t forget this necessary party ingredient. Not as obvious, however, are the changing pallets of beer drinkers nationwide. No longer can you host a party with only the classics, like Budweiser and Miller. Your guests want craft beers and ciders, and you need to deliver if you want to host a true Super Bowl party.
3. Don’t take chances with the food: In a land where football is king, no feast to celebrate the ultimate football victory could be complete without chicken wings. Cooking them at home is possible, but dealing with hot oil and a deep fryer while balancing a house full of guests and watching the game is a dangerous combination. Ker suggests skipping the hassle and letting the pros at WingHouse take care of the frying and slathering of sauces for you. (Because Valdosta doesn’t have a WingHouse, we suggest Dick’s Wings, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Blazers Wings.)
4. Put guests to the test: Keep the game exciting without the repetitive betting pool. Instead, have each guest predict the winner’s final score for the chance to win something worth a touch-down dance. Write each guess on an adhesive tag and stick it to his or her beverage glass. Whoever gets closest to the correct score wins!
5. Make sure there are no fouls: For the most dedicated of fans, team colors are as sacred as a coat of arms. Therefore, wise party hosts should keep décor colors balanced if fans from both teams will be at the same party. If everyone is rooting for the same team, then no inch of the party atmosphere should escape splashes of the team’s colors, mascot or any other insignia.
In addition the Ker’s advice, we would like to share some mouthwatering, people pleasing, crowd winning recipes.
Buffalo Chicken Dip:
Mix together:
1 block softened cream cheese
8-12 oz. sour cream
1/4 cup franks red hot
1can chunk chicken
1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
Directions:
Spread mixture into an oven safe baking dish and then add the additional 1/2 cup of cheese to the top (I used slightly more just to cover the surface) Also add any more Frank’s if you prefer a little extra spice.
Bake for 25 minutes at 350.
Meatball Sliders:
Ingredients:
1 red onion cut into thin wedges (1 1/2 cups)
2 12 ounce package frozen cooked Italian meatballs (24)
1 24 ounce jar marinara or pasta sauce (about 2 1/4 cups)
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
6 slices provolone cheese, quartered (6 ounces)
4 roma tomatoes, sliced
24 cocktail buns, split and toasted, if desired
Directions:
Place onion wedges in a 3 1/2- or 4-quart slow cooker. Top with frozen meatballs. In a medium bowl combine marinara sauce, balsamic vinegar, and crushed red pepper. Pour over meatballs.
Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 4 to 5 hours or on high-heat setting for 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
Gently stir through mixture in cooker. Place a cheese and a tomato slice on the bottom of each cocktail bun. Top each with a meatball;replace bun tops.
Beer Cheese Wontons:
Ingredients:
4 oz cream cheese
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1 tbs corn starch
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/4 cup beer
1/2 tsp sriracha
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
24 wonton wrappers
2 tbs green onions, chopped
1/4 cup canola oil
Directions:
In a food processor combine the first 9 ingredients (everything except the wonton wrappers, green onions and the oil), process until well combined.
One at a time, place the wonton wrappers on a flat surface. Using your fingers or a pastry brush, wet the edges or the wrappers with water.
Place about 1 tbs of filling in the center of the wrapper. Sprinkle green onions on top (about 1/4 tsp).
Fold wrapper over to create a triangle, press the edges together until very well sealed. Brush the bottom of the triangle with water and fold the corners into the center and press into shape.
Heat oil in a pan over medium high heat until hot but not smoking. Adjust heat to make sure it does not get to the smoking point, or the wontons will burn.
Carefully add wontons to the hot oil, cooking until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side.
Serve immediately, wontons will get soggy if they sit.
