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This Football Season, It'll Be Harder to Score Chicken Wings

YumSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:50:34 -0800

St. Louis Rams fans: if you think a winning touchdown has been impossible this season, just wait until you try to score some buffalo chicken wings.

Wing demand is on the rise, but due to this year's waning need for chicken breast, poultry producers have cut chicken production for the first time in 36 years. Broiler chicken production is forecast to be down 3.5 percent this year - and, with only two wings per chicken, wholesale wing costs are poised to increase dramatically.

So, much like Super Bowl Sunday last year, on game day other spicy chicken dishes will just have to fly. Since what I really want to eat is buffalo chicken cheese dip, that's fine with me. Will you miss this year's wings? Or are you willing to pay a higher price for them?

'Wich of the Week: Pittsburgh's All-in-One Sandwiches

YumSugar — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:00:35 -0800

I've never been to Pittsburgh, home of the Super Bowl champion Steelers. But I have been to Giordano Brothers, the West Coast version of Pittsburgh's famous Primanti Brothers sandwich chain. Founded in the 1930s, Primanti Brothers originally catered to truckers on the go with sandwiches encompassing a side of french fries and coleslaw between two slices of bread.

Rumored to be a fave of Mario Batali, the legendary Steeler city sandwich requires a champion appetite. Hungry with curiosity, I ventured to San Francisco's North Beach neighborhood, where some Pittsburgh natives founded Giordano Brothers to serve similar all-in-one sandwiches to unsuspecting Californians. For the hot, gooey details, read more.

At Giordano Brothers, the sandwiches are served on thick-cut slices of freshly baked Italian loaf. The bread is left untoasted, so it's easier to squish over the pile of fixin's, which include provolone cheese, seasoned fries, and oil and vinegar coleslaw.

Most of the menu focuses on Italian meats, cooked hot on the griddle, though vegetarians can opt for fried egg. I went for hot coppa, which (as the FAQ sign explains) is sort of like prosciutto. Either way, the combination of warm, crispy-on-the-outside fries and grilled protein makes the cheese melt perfectly, even on untoasted bread. The result is nothing if not hearty, best served with a few dashes of the tableside hot sauce.

Though the sandwich looks daunting, it all actually squashes down quite comfortably, though I can't really say the same for how it sits in your stomach. Still, I'd definitely eat another one. Would you dare to try it?

What Is This?

YumSugar — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 09:00:56 -0800

No, this isn't a viable weapon of any kind - although it might add more fun to your Super Bowl Sunday. Can you guess what it is?

Game Day Eats: Chile Con Queso

partysugar — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 08:00:38 -0800

In my humble opinion, there is no food combination better than melted cheese and tortilla chips. Taking a bite of crunchy, salty chips topped with gooey, oozing cheese is like taking a bite out of heaven. While I'm crazy for the combo in its classic nacho form, I also live for the pairing as a dip. Not just any dip, but this chile con queso dip. It takes all the typical nacho toppings - cheese, jalapeños, sour cream, tomatoes - and mixes them into a dip. It's super easy to make and unbelievably satisfying to eat. Seriously, there is nothing more to say. You need to make this dip. It's beyond scrumptious. Hurry up and get the recipe when you read more.

Chile Con Queso
From The Best Casserole Cookbook Ever

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter
2 green onions, minced (white and green parts)
1 poblano pepper, seeded and diced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 large tomato, seeded and diced
1 can (4 ounces) diced green chiles
1 jalapeno, seeded and diced
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, cubed
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese
chopped cilantro for garnish
tortilla chips for serving

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium high heat. Add the green onions and poblano pepper. Saute for about 5 minutes, until tender.
In a 1-quart casserole, combine the green onion mixture, cumin, tomato, diced chiles, jalapeno, cream cheese, sour cream, and 1/2 cup Monterey jack cheese. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. (At this point the casserole can be covered and refrigerated for up to 1 day. Add five minutes to the bake time.)
Bake, uncovered for 30 minutes, or until bubbly. Sprinkle with cilantro. Serve hot with tortilla chips.

Serves 10.

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Happy Hour: Jalapeño Margarita

partysugar — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:00:15 -0800

Since my mom's favorite drink is the margarita, I'm always looking for new recipes to experiment with. While the classic combination of tequila, orange liquor, and lime juice is delicious, it's exciting to try different variations. When I saw this recipe for a "margarita with a twist" in the new Food Network magazine, I knew it would be perfect for Super Bowl Sunday. Watch out though: It packs a spicy punch! The ingredient that provides the twist (and the heat) is jalapeño. For a brighter green color, use white tequila instead of the gold. I prefer my margs on the rocks, but if you enjoy them blended, by all means, blend it! To look at this refreshing recipe, read more.

Jalapeno Margarita
From Food Network Magazine

Ingredients

1 thin slice of jalapeno
handful of celery leaves
6 ounces lime juice
1 teaspoon confectioners' sugar
16 ounces tequila
8 ounces orange liqueur
ice, lime wedges

Directions

Pulse jalapeno, celery leaves, fresh lime juice, and sugar in a blender. Mix with tequila and orange liqueur in a pitcher; chill.
Serve on the rocks in salt-rimmed glasses with lime wedges.

Serves 8-10.

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Fast & Easy Dinner: Nacho Spuds

partysugar — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 10:30:32 -0800

Part potato skins and part nachos, this recipe is the perfect dish to kick off your Super Bowl weekend. The classic meat and potatoes combination gets transformed into the ultimate layered dish.

While the potatoes crisp in the oven, a flavorful mix of ground beef, black beans, and taco seasoning cooks on the stove. To make this cheesy dish vegetarian, simply omit the meat. Check out the recipe when you read more.

Nacho Spuds
From Everyday With Rachael Ray

Ingredients

2 large baking potatoes (1 1/2 pounds total), sliced into 1/2-inch-thick rounds
2 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper
1/2 pound lean ground beef sirloin
One 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed
2 tablespoons taco seasoning
One 8-ounce package shredded sharp cheddar cheese (2 cups)
1 cup grape tomatoes, quartered lengthwise
Sour cream and shredded lettuce, for serving

Directions

Position a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 450°F.
On a rimmed baking sheet, toss the potatoes with 2 tablespoons olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Arrange in a single layer and bake until golden, about 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add the remaining 1/2 tablespoon olive oil and the ground beef and cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until browned, 2 to 3 minutes.
Mix in the beans, taco seasoning and 2 tablespoons water. Lower the heat and simmer, stirring, until heated through, about 10 minutes.
Transfer the potatoes to an ovenproof platter. Sprinkle half of the cheddar on top, spoon on the meat mixture, then top with the tomatoes and remaining cheddar.
Place in the oven and turn off the heat. Let stand until the cheese is melted, 2 to 3 minutes. Serve with the sour cream and lettuce.

Serves 4.

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Come Party With Me: Super Bowl - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 09:15:58 -0800

Before the Super Bowl begins, take some time to make the atmosphere in your living room comfortable and inviting. Select party decorations in your team's colors. Since I'm cheering on the underdogs (the Arizona Cardinals), my color scheme is black, red, and white. Cover the table or a side banquet in a red tablecloth. Place the sliders and sandwiches on a black tray and stack appetizer plates nearby. Cocktail napkins with a football print are festive. Fill beer buckets with ice and chill the beer. If you have bottles of beer, don't forget to have several bottle openers on hand. Serve the Jell-O shots in clear Dixie cups. Turn on football-shaped lights and toss a few red throw pillows on the couch. Beer koozies are a fun party gift that can be enjoyed throughout the game.

Source

7 Crowd-Pleasing Game Day Dishes

YumSugar — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 05:30:54 -0800

If you're planning a gathering to view this Sunday's game and you're not sure what dishes will get the crowd cheering, score big points on food by putting these unconventional bites in your party lineup. To add new excitement to classic Super Bowl winners like guacamole, buffalo chicken, and nachos, keep reading.

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Come Party With Me: Super Bowl - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 12:30:16 -0800

When I think of the Super Bowl one drink comes to mind: beer. If you have a large crowd coming, consider getting a keg of your favorite beer. A keg should be ordered several days in advance and picked up the morning of the game. If your group is small, stock up on an assortment of brews and plenty of ice. To get the party going, make Jell-O shots. When guests arrive hand them a gourmet, mojito-flavored Jell-O shot. Instead of using the classic powder to make the shot, this recipe calls for gelatin, rum, and simple syrup. Start making the shots several hours before the game as they'll need time to set. Sound fun? Get the recipe when you read more.

Mojito Jell-O Shots with White Rum and Fresh Mint
From Food and Wine

Ingredients

1 cup water
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons plus 3/4 teaspoon powdered unflavored gelatin (from 3 envelopes)
1 cup fresh lime juice
1 cup lightly packed mint leaves
1 cup white rum

Directions

In a small saucepan, cook the water with the sugar over moderate heat until the water is simmering and the sugar dissolves, about 4 minutes. Sprinkle the gelatin over the sugar syrup and whisk constantly over low heat until the gelatin has dissolved, about 1 minute.
Put the lime juice and mint leaves in a medium heatproof bowl and pour in the sugar syrup. Let steep for 15 minutes.
Stir in the rum. Strain the mojito mixture into a large measuring cup, pressing on the mint leaves with the back of a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible.
Arrange 30 small paper cups on a rimmed baking sheet. Carefully pour the mojito Jell-O mixture into the paper cups and refrigerate the shots until they are chilled, about 3 hours. Serve cold.

Serves 10.

Make Ahead: The Jell-O shots can be covered and refrigerated for up to 3 days.

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Game Day Eats: Super Sloppy Joes

partysugar — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 10:15:31 -0800

Still haven't decided what to serve your family during the Super Bowl? How about good, ol' sloppy Joes?! I recently got a craving so intense that I had to make them. Sloppy Joes are a hearty favorite that bring back nostalgic memories of childhood. The messy sandwich consists of ground beef, onions, red peppers, and a spicy tomato sauce. I topped mine with finely grated sharp cheddar cheese because that's how my mom used to serve them. The leftovers only taste better, so make a large batch and enjoy all week. They're great with beer, potato chips, and pickles. To get this scrumptious recipe, read more.

Super Sloppy Joes
Modified from Rachael Ray

Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
4 slices of bacon
1 1/4 pounds ground beef sirloin
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons steak seasoning blend, such as McCormick brand Montreal Seasoning
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 medium onion, chopped
1 small red bell pepper, chopped
1 small jalapeno, seeded and chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 cups tomato sauce
2 tablespoons tomato paste
6-8 crusty rolls, split, toasted, and lightly buttered

Directions

Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add oil and bacon to the pan. Cook for 5 minutes until the bacon is soft. Add the ground beef to the pan. Spread the meat around the pan and begin to break it up. Cook for about 5-8 minutes until the meat is no longer pink.
Combine brown sugar, steak seasoning, chili powder, and cumin in a small bowl.
Add sugar and spice mixture to the skillet and stir to combine.
When the meat has browned, add onion, red peppers, jalapeno, and garlic to the skillet.
Reduce heat to medium. Add the red wine vinegar and Worcestershire sauce to the mixture and cook for 5 minutes.
Add tomato sauce and paste to pan. Stir to combine.
Reduce heat to simmer and cook Sloppy Joe mixture 25-35 minutes longer until mixture is thick and no longer too soupy.
Using a large spoon or ice cream scoop, pile sloppy meat onto toasted, bun bottoms and cover with bun tops.
Serve with your favorite sides or topped with grated cheddar cheese.

Serves 6-8.

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