Super Bowl Sips and Dips!

The big day is approaching! Are you ready for the Super Bowl?

If there's one thing people love more than watching those crazy commercials, it's digging in to some great food during the game. Whether you're having a big party or just enjoying the game at home by yourself, I've got two fabulous and easy dips for you to enjoy!

Guacamole Dip

3 avocados, peeled, pitted and diced
1 tbs sour cream

2 (3 oz) packages cream cheese, softened

2 tbs salsa (I use Tostitos Chunky Salsa)

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1/4 tsp garlic salt

1/4 tsp onion powder

In a small bowl, mix the avocados, sour cream, cream cheese and salsa. Mix to desired consistency, then add salt, pepper, garlic salt and onion powder, stirring to blend completely. Cover and chill in your refrigerator for 1/2 hour before serving. 

*Serving tip: I love this dip with Tostitos "Hint of Lime" chips. While I don't particularly like these chips on their own, they go really well with this cool, creamy guacamole variation!

Artichoke Dip

1 can (8 oz) artichoke hearts, chopped

1 cup olive oil mayo

1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

1/2 tbs garlic powder, or to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients in a baking dish until blended, and place in preheated oven for 5 minutes, or until bubbly. 

*Serving tip: This dip goes well with pita chips or tortilla chips, but you can also use Ruffles or Wavy Lays.

Now that you've got some food ideas, you'll need some great drinks! For an easy, pre-made margarita (but very tasty - this is my favorite pre-made mix!) to go with your mexican-inspired guacamole dip, try Jose Cuervo's Golden Margarita mix (http://www.cuervo.com/products/golden-margaritas.aspx). 

If you're not a margarita person or you simply prefer beer on Superbowl Sunday, change it up with a Blue Moon Winter Sampler. You'll get 3 each of the original Blue Moon, Pale Moon, Winter Abbey Ale and, my personal favorite, the Spiced Amber Ale. Yum!

 

Check back in with me on Thursday, where I'll give you a recipe for Taco Sliders that are perfect for entertaining - and ridiculously delicious!

Cheers!

Party Plates: Football Food!

The time is here: the end of football season. The last playoff games before the BIG game. If you're having friends over to watch the remaining games of the season, here's a menu that will knock their socks off!

Sure, the staple for football fans may be wings - but why not switch that up? After you make these fabulous, fall-off-the-bone ribs, you may reconsider your typical game day grub. Just because it's winter doesn't mean you can't make delicious, tender ribs - without having to weather the cold.

Oven-baked ribs

1 rack baby back ribs

1 tablespoon Season-All

2 cups of your favorite BBQ sauce

Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees. Season both sides of ribs with Season-All and place on a cookie sheet lined with foil. Place ribs in 350 degree oven for 10 minutes per side (20 minutes total). Remove from the oven and baste with BBQ sauce. Place back in the 350 degree oven for 10 minutes per side (20 minutes total). Remove the ribs.

With the tops of the ribs facing up, baste with the remaining BBQ sauce. Cover with a "tent" of aluminum foil, ensuring that all sides are properly sealed. Turn the oven temperature down to 250 degrees.

Place ribs in 250 degree oven for 2 1/2 hours. Once done, open up the tent of foil (carefully!) and test the ribs with a fork. They should fall easily from the bone. YUM!!

*Want an easy side to pair with your ribs? Try this slow cooker macaroni and cheese recipe!

Spicy Slow Cooker Mac & Cheese

3 cups cubed pepper jack Velveeta cheese

2 1/2 cups milk

1 large egg, beaten

1 teaspoon salt

8 oz elbow macaroni, cooked al dente

Combine cheese, milk, egg and salt in a slow cooker (4 qt or larger). Cover and cook on high 1 hour.
Add macaroni and stir. Cover and cook on low 4 hours.
Note: If you prefer your mac and cheese on the milder side, substitute the pepper jack with original Velveeta!

I hope you enjoy both of these super savory, delicious recipes - and the game! Stay tuned for more game day recipes, including homemade guacamole and artichoke dip - coming up next!

Cheers!

Mix of the Month: The Cranberry-Orange Mimosa

Happy 2012, everyone!

It's a new year. You've made resolutions, set goals, and promised yourself that you're going to start this year off right. After all, you've got to start it off right to end it that way!

It seems only natural that January's featured cocktail recipe includes champagne, seeing how we all started our year off toasting with glasses full of it! Allow me to introduce January's Mix of the Month: the Cranberry-Orange Mimosa. This morning-time drink is refreshing and sweet, and only requires three easy ingredients. It's also super easy to make kid-friendly! Here's what you'll need:

Cranberry-Orange Mimosas

 2 parts Brut Champagne or Sparkling Wine

1 part light cranberry juice cocktail

1 part orange juice

Tip: If you're only making these mimosas for a couple people, your grocer should sell champagne or sparkling wine in packs of 4 small bottles. This way, you don't have to open an entire bottle to make a couple of these drinks for you and your spouse or a friend. 

Want to make it kid-friendly? Simply replace the champagne/sparkling wine with sparkling grape juice!

Cheers to the New Year! Enjoy :)