Super Bowl: What it means to me.

When I hear all the Super Bowl hub-bub around my office, 

I immediately think, "I wonder what the Budweiser commercial will this year?" The lost puppy one from a couple years ago almost gutted me! 

Are you having a Super Bowl party? Are you going to a Super Bowl party? Are you staying home with your three large, furry dogs and watching the Super Bowl? Well, whatever you end up doing, I've gathered up some real show stoppers for you to serve, bring, or just try out.

... I am a Seahawks fan. 

There. Now it's out there.

SPINACH ARTICOKE DIP

Ingredients

• 1 cup thawed, chopped frozen spinach
• 11/2 cups thawed, chopped frozen artichoke hearts
• 6 ounces cream cheese
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions

Boil spinach and artichokes in 1 cup of water until tender and drain. Discard liquid. Heat cream cheese in microwave for 1 minute or until hot and soft. Stir in rest of ingredients and serve hot. Yep, it’s that simple!!!

Serve with blue or white corn tortilla chips, or hollow out your favorite bread and pour the warm dip in.  You can use the torn pieces of bread as dip delivery vehicles too!                                                                                  

TURKEY CHILI                                                               
Ingredients

• 1/4 cup olive oil, divided
• 3 cups chopped yellow onions
• 3/4 cup diced red bell pepper
• 3/4 cup diced green bell pepper
• 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
• 1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 3 pounds ground turkey
• 1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro stems
• 2 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, or to taste
• 3/4 teaspoon crumbled Mexican oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes with their juices
• 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 1/2 cups cooked and drained kidney beans
• 1 1/2 cups cooked and drained black beans
• 1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro leaves

Directions

Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a 4 quart large, heavy saucepan and, when hot, add the onions and both the red and green bell peppers and cook until vegetables are soft and lightly caramelized, about 6 minutes. Add the jalapenos and garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil and the turkey, cilantro stems, chili powder, cocoa powder, cumin, salt, oregano, sugar, and crushed red pepper and cook, stirring to break up any lumps, until the turkey is cooked through and the spices are very fragrant, about 6 minutes. Add the tomatoes, tomato sauce, and chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes. Add the kidney beans and black beans and cook until the flavors come together and the chili has thickened, about 30 minutes longer. Add the cilantro, remove from the heat and let sit for 10 minutes before serving. Server in bowls with some shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream (if you like it!).

                             

Chicken & Waffles, as finger food!


(FOR THE CHICKEN)

2 packages chicken breasts (cut into 4" strips)
3 cups flour
3 cups cooking oil
4 tablespoons seasoning salt
3 tablespoons onion powder
3 tablespoons garlic powder
2 tablespoons parsley flakes
2 tablespoons black pepper
3 cups milk
2 eggs, beaten


Directions:

Combine flour and spices in plastic bag.
Mix milk and beaten eggs in large bowl.
Dip chicken into milk and egg mixture.
Shake each piece off lightly.
Add chicken pieces one at a time to bag of flour and spices and shake bag lightly until each piece is coated with mixture.
After removing chicken from mixture, lightly shake some of the flour mixture off.
Heat oil in deep frying pan or in electric skillet to 350 or 375 degrees.
Fry each side until tender and golden brown.

(FOR THE WAFFLES)

2 eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 3/4 cups milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon white sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat waffle iron. Beat eggs in large bowl with hand beater until fluffy. Beat in flour, milk, vegetable oil, sugar, baking powder, salt and vanilla, just until smooth. Spray preheated waffle iron with non-stick cooking spray. Pour mix onto hot waffle iron. Cook until golden brown. Cut cooked waffles in 4" strips and place in really awesome hot dog wrappers or paper french fry take out containers. Serve with your favorite syrups!

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*Photo courtesy of "Baked It Myself"