Superbowl Snacks

I would never consider myself a football fan, although I do enjoy watching a good game now and then (and living in Massachusetts, there are ample opportunities). But when it comes to the Superbowl, as much as I enjoy the game itself, it's all about the ads and the snacks. The ads have been somewhat disappointing over the last few years, which makes the snacks all that much more important. So here are some recipes for my favorite football-watching snacks.

Honey Mustard Chex Mix

I love Chex Mix because you can make it with whatever you like (or whatever you have on hand). This is the combination I used last time I made it, but you can pretty much throw in whatever you like. I recommend keeping the cereal/pretzel/nut type stuff between about 7 and 9 cups for the amount of spices and butter to get a good, flavorful coating. This particular sauce has a wonderfully addictive spicy-sweet flavor.

3 cups Chex cereal (I used a combination of Rice Chex and Wheat Chex)
2 cups pretzels
2 cups pita chips or bagel chips (break into bite-size pieces if necessary)
2 cups peanuts
6 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
3 tablespoons ground mustard
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder

In a large mixing bowl, toss together cereal, pretzels, chips, and nuts. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Stir in remaining ingredients, stirring until dissolved. Pour over the cereal mixture and toss well to coat. Line two large cookie sheets with foil and spread the mixture in an even layer. Bake at 250 degrees for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through. Allow to cool, breaking up clumps as needed. Store in an airtight container.

Million Dollar Dip

Super easy to make, and with only 5 ingredients, this is a great addition to any snack table. Be sure to make it at least a couple of hours ahead so you can chill it. Ritz crackers are great dippers, but try it with pita wedges, tart apples, or any other kind of cracker.

5 green onions, chopped
8 oz cheddar cheese, shredded
1½ cups mayonnaise
½ cup real bacon bits
½ cup slivered almonds

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and chill for at least 2 hours. Serve with Ritz crackers or other dippers.

Cheesy Pull-Apart Garlic Bread

If you want something easy that will make your snack table look extra-fancy, this is the recipe for you. And there's a reason it's often called "crack bread" - you may want to make a couple of loaves.

7 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
2 large garlic cloves, minced
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 loaf crusty bread (sourdough is the best)
3/4 cup shredded mozzarella


Combine butter, garlic, and salt in a heat-proof bowl and melt in the microwave (or on the stovetop in a saucepan). Add parsley and stir well. Cut the bread diagonally to form diamonds, not quite cutting to the bottom (placing chopsticks or wooden spoons on each side of the loaf will help). Place the bread on a large piece of foil (big enough to wrap the loaf). Pry open the cracks and drizzle in butter mixture and stuff with cheese. Seal the foil and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes, until the cheese has mostly melted, then open the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes. Serve immediately.

Crockpot Bourbon L'il Smokies

You can probably make this recipe with regular Vienna sausages, but the smokiness with the bourbon and brown sugar glaze is what makes it fantastic. And this recipe is handy because you can make it ahead and just let it stay warm in the crock all day.

2 cups ketchup
3/4 cup bourbon
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon minced onion
1 package Hillshire Farm L'il Smokies

In crockpot, combine all ingredients except sausage and mix well. Add sausages and stir to coat. Cover and cook on low for 3 hours, stirring occasionally if you can. After 3 hours, reduce heat to warm and keep on warm while serving.

Southwest Black Bean Dip

This is a nice, fresh, refreshing dip that contrasts well with heavier, richer snacks. It's almost healthy! It's also great as part of a taco or burrito bar, if you want to serve "real" food.

1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1-3/4 cups frozen corn, thawed
3 tomatoes, chopped
1 sweet bell pepper, chopped
1/2 red onion, chopped
1 jalapeno pepper, ribs and seeds removed, finely chopped (optional)
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 chopped cilantro (adjust amount to taste)
1 teaspoon cumin
salt and pepper
3/4 cup Zesty Italian salad dressing

Toss together all ingredients in a large bowl. Serve with tortilla chips. May be made up to one day ahead.

Lamb Sliders

This is one of my favorite recipes in the world, bar none, so I'll find any excuse to serve it. But sliders are a great, hearty, game day snack if you want something more substantial than just "pickies and snackies." Be sure to use real Hawaiian rolls - the sweetness is the perfect contrast to the cumin and garlic in the lamb.

5 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 large shallots, minced
salt and pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
1 pound ground lamb
1 teaspoon cumin
1 tablespoon ketchup
2 ounces Swiss or Gruyere cheese (8 1/2" cubes)
8 King's Hawaiian rolls, sliced

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shallots, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook until soft (about 3 minutes). Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.

In a large bowl, combine shallot mixture with lamb, cumin, ketchup, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Form into eight patties, about 2-1/2 inches across and 1/2-inch thick. Press a cube of cheese into each and form the meat around the cube to cover it. Brush with the remaining olive oil and grill or fry until cooked through, about 5-6 minutes per side. Let rest for 2 minutes before placing in buns and serving.

Chips and Guac

Sure, you could pick up some store-bought guacamole, but homemade is so much tastier (and almost as easy).

3 medium avocados
1 firm tomato, finely diced
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
2 tablespoons fresh lemon (or lime) juice
salt and pepper

Open the avocados and scoop out the flesh. Mash with a fork. Stir in the remaining ingredients, adding salt and pepper to taste. If not serving right away, cover with plastic wrap (pushing down so the wrap touches the whole surface of the guac) and chill. Serve with tortilla chips.


Happy Game Day - and GOOOOOOOO PATRIOTS!!!!