DO IT UP FOR THE SUPER BOWL!
Any excuse to get my friends together, cook and watch something on the big screen is good enough for me, but the Super Bowl is one of my favorite times! I still cook it up, but it's my time to add a bit of finesse to casual comfort and finger foods. I'll be the first to admit: these aren't your everyday football foods. BUT I can guarantee (from experience) as the dudes are wharfing down the ribs, no one cares how typical they are - just how good they taste...Now that almost all of the posts from my old blog have been moved over to this new site, thought I would share some oldies but goodies that would be really fun for this weekend's game-watching.
TEMPURA WINGS WITH SRIRACHA-HONEY
I grew up in Florida watching football, and when it comes to watching sports, my mind flashes to two things: wings and ribs!! These wings are what you want - crispy, not greasy and super tender with a sweet and spicy sauce. I like fish sauce for a little funk, but leave it out if you don't have it. The best part is you don't need the skin here to get crackling-perfection, so I guess we could almost call these healthy....
BABY BACK RIBS WITH POMEGRANATE MOLASSES
Fall-off-the-bone ribs (as you can see from the photo...) with a serious barbeque sauce, sweetened with pomegranate molasses. Your guests might need bibs. Need I say more?
SMOKY LAMB SLIDERS WITH MINT-CHILI PICKLED CUKES
Sliders are another staple of mine, and these are smoky and spicy and juicy. If you're lamb-squeamish, use beef or an Italian pork-beef blend, and they'll be just as good. Go for a mini brioche bun for the ultimate in pillowy, buttery flavor.
CHEESE BREAD, BRAZILIAN-STYLE...
I swear these are easy, and some of my friends-who-don't-cook-that-often can attest since they've made them. No yeast - so none of that rising and punching down nonsense - just a bit of kneading together of ingredients, an hour of rest and they are ready to bake. They use tapioca starch which you can get at Whole Foods, and they are seriously delicious.
Wontons are one of those things you kind of have to do and mess up folding and then will be a pro at forever. and they are a great finger food that you can stuff with just about anything. These are Trini-style because they were inspired by some I get in Crown Heights, Brooklyn at the Trini-Chinese spot. I baked them because I was feeling healthy, but if you have the oil going for the wings, fry 'em up for a minute or two until golden brown - this is, after all, a special occasion.
HARISSA-CHEESE STUFFED FRIED OLIVES
Please, don't make fun of me. Who serves olives for a Super Bowl party?? Stuff them with cheese, make them spicy, fry them and see what happens...
Don't forget that you need something to wash all of this good food down with. Do yourself a favor and make a pitcher of something and let people help themselves to that and beer from the fridge, so you can relax and hang with your friends and fam! Have fun watching the Super Bowl this weekend!!