Super Bowl Party Time…Let’s Eat!

We all know it’s about the commercials… and the food!

What day of the year is second only to Thanksgiving as the day in which Americans consume the most food?  Super Bowl Sunday! Football fans are as serious about their snacks as they are their favorite NFL team. Whether you are a fan of a team playing in the big game or just love to tune in for “super” commercials and the “super” half time show; get ready for kickoff late this Sunday afternoon with some great chow.

Planning party fare that is worthy of a touchdown throw down is big business. This year, along with the obligatory chicken wings, nachos, dips and other finger foods,why not serve a signature dish to represent each team. San Francisco and Baltimore are both known for their sensational seafood so here are two recipes to represent them and could be easily eaten while sitting couch side.

Baltimore Raven Crab Cake Sliders

Crab Cake Sliders with homemade tartar sauce inspired by the Baltimore Ravens

• 1 beaten egg
• ½ cup panko bread crumbs
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon mustard
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning  (if not available, use your favorite standard seafood or poultry seasoning)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 10-12 small dinner rolls
• Lettuce
• 1 pound lump crab meat picked through

In a bowl, combine all ingredients except crab meat and mix well. Add mixture to crab and toss lightly being careful not to break up the meat. In a skillet set to medium heat, warm butter and oil. Using a kitchen scoop make equal cakes, about 2 oz. each. Place cakes into the hot oil and brown for 2-3 minutes on each side. Serve with tartar sauce and lettuce on buns.

Tartar Sauce

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon pickle relish
• 1 tablespoon capers, chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh squeezed lemon juice

Mix all ingredients well.

Recipe makes 10-12 sliders. Multiply ingredients to suit your needs. I typically plan on 2 sliders per guest.

NOTE: If you are transporting these bad boys to a party somewhere else,set the cakes on a napkin to soak up the grease  for a bit then transfer to a foil lined pan for transport . Serve the buns, tarter sauce and lettuce separately so your fellow partiers can build their own sliders. 

Along with seafood, San Francisco is also known for its sourdough bread bowls filled with piping hot soups or dips. The following dip looks great served in a bread bowl, but can conveniently be served out of a crock pot to keep it piping hot.

San Fran Crock Pot Crab Dip

San Fran Crab Dip inspired by the 49ers

• 1/2lb Maryland crab meat (use backfin if available; if not, any other crab meat is fine)
• 8oz cream cheese softened
• ½ cup sour cream
• 2 tbsp mayo
• 1 tbsp lemon juice (use fresh it makes a difference)
• 1 ¼ tsp Worcestershire sauce
• ½ tsp dry mustard or use 1 tbsp of regular mustard
• 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
• 1 tsp Old Bay (if not available, use your favorite standard seafood or poultry seasoning)

(I multiply everything by 4 or 5 to serve a larger group. Multiply by 10 to fill a foil buffet pan.)

Just mix it all together and put in the crock pot and turn on med/high until hot. Once it becomes bubbly, give a taste and season accordingly.  Then turn back to low and stir every 30 mins or spoon in your bread bowl.  

I like to serve with tortilla chips, but you can also serve with baguettes, bagel chips, pita chips or crackers.

Happy eating and GO COLTS! Oh, wait…