We're in full-mode Super Bowl state of mind, dreaming up buffalo-flavored provisions, global chicken wing recipes, daytime cocktails, and more — and now, we're putting it all in one place. If you're trying to figure out what you should make tomorrow, look no further: meet your ultimate guide to game-day food.
Football fans, welcome to the best day of the year! Before you get settle in on the couch for today's ultimate Harbaugh match, get excited for game day right here, with everything from Super Bowl food stats to the funniest Super Bowl TV ads to our custom-made Super Bowl menu. We can't promise a Ravens or Niners victory, but we can guarantee delicious fun.
 Test Your Buffalo Wing Stats |
 Ultimate Football Recipes |
 Super Bowl by the Numbers |
 Game-Day Menu |
 Best Super Bowl Ads |
 Meatless Appetizers |
Sandra Lee stays one busy woman as the editor in chief of Sandra Lee Magazine; TV show host on Food Network, Cooking Channel, and HGTV; and cookbook author of over 25 titles, including her upcoming books Every Dish Delivers and The Recipe Box. When she's not in the kitchen or behind the camera, she's the spokesperson for LG. Sandra, who is currently in New Orleans on her LG Satellite Media Tour, took time out of her schedule to chat with me about how to set up a stress-free (yet memorable!) Super Bowl party at home.
Lay out a sandwich buffet: "Instead of trying to premake all the food, set up a buffet so people can serve themselves, even if it's just on the kitchen counter. Set up a muffuletta bar. Put out things like hard salami, provolone cheese, pepperoni, proscuitto or ham, basil leaves, butter lettuce, roasted red peppers, diced olives. You could do an olive tapenade and mix in a little mayonnaise so you have the creaminess. Depending on your budget and the availability of the grocery store, you could put out sliced avocado."
Set up a bloody Mary bar: "The most popular cocktail to make for the Super Bowl is a bloody Mary, so you can set out a bloody Mary bar. All you need are pitchers of tomato juice, a vodka, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce or cocktail sauce, lime or lemon juice, celery salt, celery seasoning, and pepper. For the garnish, put out lots of celery stalks with the leaves, pickle wedges, and green olives."
Put chocolate-covered potato chip footballs on the coffee table: "Everyone loves Lay's potato chips. They have a baked version; dip each entire potato chip in melted chocolate chips and let them dry. Then beat together confectioner's sugar, a little bit of heavy whipping cream, and some vanilla. [With this icing] pipe on the laces of the football, and you have chocolate chip footballs."
Ali Landry rose to fame 15 years ago as the "Doritos Girl," starring in a Super Bowl ad for the chips that was easily the most talked about of that year's game. Since that time, she's made waves as a model, actress, TV show host, and businesswoman, but she's never forgotten her roots. That's why she teamed up with the brand again this year for a contest with some superhigh stakes. Ali stopped by our studios in LA recently to talk about the news, and to weigh in on her life as a mom to two kids. Check it out and see who takes the top prize live at Super Bowl XLVII on Feb. 3!
Few pairings work better than crisp corn chips and fiery salsa; unfortunately, this classic Mexican-restaurant starter rarely translates well to supermarket offerings. Tostitos aims to change this with its latest line of restaurant-style chips and salsa, so naturally we felt compelled to see if they could stack up to this oft-insurmountable task.
Tostitos Cantina Chipotle Restaurant-Style Salsa
Fans of smoky heat were smitten with this option, praising its prominent chipotle punch and perfect level of heat that tingles taste buds without lighting one's mouth on fire, making it all too easy to come back for seconds. One taster even noted that it lived up to its promise, as it reminded her of her favorite cantina's salsa. That said, it was a touch too smoky for some, so if you're not a chipotle super fan, skip the jar.
Tasters' average rating:
Tostitos Cantina Roasted Garlic Thick & Chunky Salsa
This roasted garlic-laced salsa left some tasters uninspired, citing a slightly too-sweet flavor and watery texture as its undoing, though most found it better than standard supermarket salsa. Those who enjoyed it touted its just-right level of punchy garlic, tanginess, and balanced saltiness. All in all, try this one for yourself: essentially, it came down to a matter of personal preference.
Tasters' average rating:
Your Super Bowl party doesn't have to be a paper-plate affair. If you're hoping to elevate your get-together and give the day a more upscale feel, choose snazzy serve ware and an elegant decor for a posh touch. Just a few simple swaps can make a major difference — think polished coasters, gold-rimmed dishes, and refined glassware. As you count down to kickoff, check out these gorgeous picks to host a Super Bowl party with style.
Bacon-wrapped anything is delicious, so it goes without saying that these jalapeño poppers — which are stuffed with herbs and cheese, then wrapped with an entire slice of bacon each — are over the top. Despite sounding indulgent, they're incredibly easy to make and perfect for a game-day party. Learn the tricks to prepping them, like how to keep the heat in check and avoid messy oven explosions, when you watch the video.
If you hadn't planned on watching this Sunday's Super Bowl, Calvin Klein is making a compelling case for at least sitting through the first quarter.
That's when the company will debut its first-ever Super Bowl commercial, a 30-second spot that advertises the new Calvin Klein Concept underwear collection. The black and white ad, directed by Fabien Baron, features shots of model Matthew Terry stretching and flexing in a pair of miniscule black briefs. Between those shots are a few short clips of vague machinery. A press release said the visual pairing is supposed to invoke the "man vs. machine" idea inspired by the underwear's seamless construction. That Terry's abdominal region appears to have more horsepower in it than most modern sports cars, however, was not addressed.
Steven Klein's coordinating ad campaign, seen above, will appear in GQ, Esquire, and Men's Health, as well as on billboards around the world. Viewers will see the full commercial during Sunday's game, which will air on CBS at 6:30 p.m. A look at the teaser below.
Photo courtesy of Calvin Klein.
This may sound blasphemous, but I've never been quite able to get behind classic seven-layer dip. Don't get me wrong: I understand the appeal and then some. Heck, I wish I were as smitten with it as its many ardent fans are, but it's just not my cup of tea. So when I stumbled across this Mediterranean take on the iconic Super Bowl treat on one of my favorite blogs, I knew it was high time I got my offset spatula at the ready.
What I didn't anticipate was just how much I would adore this tangy, garlic-heavy appetizer. I'm only a hair embarrassed to say that I managed to polish off half the platter in one sitting. Each bite's ever-so-slightly different makeup makes it easy to keep coming back for just one more bite, and do so I did . . .
What's perfect for your Super Bowl spread, and yet far from indulgent? These za'atar and cumin-spiced roasted chickpeas. Additionally, they're an excellent garnish for soups and salads, come together with a minimal of effort, are easy to transport, and are just plain delicious.
If this seems like a lot of blustery praise, don't be put off. Even if you find they're not your cup of tea you'll be out a mere few dollars (chickpeas are cheap!) aside from the initial purchase of tangy herbal za'atar and earthy cumin seeds (use extra za'atar in this soothing soup that's swirled with za'atar oil).
Not feeling the Mediterranean flavor profile? Think of this recipe as more of a blueprint than a set in stone prescription — feel free to sub out spice blends as you please, the proportions listed below are intended as a mere jumping off point.
