Game Day Goodies Galore!

I am about finished pouting because our Beloved Cincinnati Bengals did not make it to the Super Bowl again but despite the slight sadness, I am confident we can rally and enjoy the day.  After all, it is the game day to end all game days!  And whether you are a super football fan or you just watch the game for the commercials or you are just there for the party, Super Bowl Sunday is always a fun time!

Also, there is just something about Super Bowl Sunday that makes everyone extra ravenous and even the most sensational food tables get tackled and the goodies are almost long gone before the last quarter of the game. So just like the teams who have been preparing for the big day all season, the Super Bowl spread is also taking it to the next level.  The snacks have to be super, too!

Now I am not one to let a party day pass me by, so I have been In the Curious Kitchen planning up the perfect lineup of Game Day Goodies and, you guessed it, a special cocktail just for the occasion.

Let’s start off with some In the Curious Kitchen Beer Cheese.  The possibilities are endless but for this special Sunday I am planning on serving bowls of our delicious Beer Cheese Soup.   You may remember I shared this recipe with you last fall when I spent almost an entire weekend tweaking the recipe to get all the flavors to balance with the savory goodness of my homemade beer cheese. I am sure it will be a big hit at your party, too.  If you are not in the soup mood then serve it as a dip with pretzels, celery sticks, carrots, or your favorite crispy cracker.

And you seriously cannot have a Super Bowl Party without wings!  I am taking a little curious twist with my wings and making In the Curious Kitchen Hot Pepper Jelly Chicken Wings.  I have recently added Hot Pepper Jelly to my online shop and it has been a big seller—just as it is at market!  People tell me that they keep a jar or two in their pantry just because it is truly one of the most versatile ingredients and if you are in a pinch, you can always just spread it on top of a block of cream cheese and serve it with just about any cracker you have on hand!

But give these Hot Pepper Jelly Chicken Wings a try.  The recipe is super easy and super delish!  Your wings will be a little sweet, sticky with a slight kick and a whole lot of sass!

Hot Pepper Jelly Chicken Wings

2-3 pounds chicken wings, dry with paper towel

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1 jar In the Curious Kitchen Hot Pepper Jelly

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

2 tablespoons butter

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Coat a baking rack with oil.  Place the dried chicken pieces on the wire rack that is inside of a baking sheet pan. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

2. Bake chicken wings for about 15 minutes and, using tongs, turn them to bake on the other side for about 15 minutes.  While the wings are baking, prepare the sauce. Add the hot pepper jelly, vinegar and butter to an extra-large skillet or wok and bring to a slow boil, stirring.  You may need to add a bit more vinegar to thin the sauce.

3. When the wings are finished baking, add them to the simmering sauce. Toss to coat.

4. For additional color and yummy goodness, place the wings back on the baking rack and place under the broiler for a few more minutes. Be sure to watch the wings carefully at this point so they do not burn.

A party just would not be a party without In the Curious Kitchen Pimento Cheese.  What can’t you do with the versatile spread?  For my Super Bowl soiree, I am making a cheeseball out of my pimento cheese.  To stay with the theme, I am shaping my cheeseball into a football, adding some chopped pecans or finely chopped pretzels for a little color, and topping it off with White Cheddar slices to resemble the laces.  It just doesn’t get any easier? Right?

And it wouldn’t be a party without a cocktail…would it? Super Bowl Sunday calls for something special and for me it is always a bourbon-based concoction.  Why not  mix up a batch of Kentucky Bourbon Slush…always a winner!

Go Chiefs!  Go Eagles!  Whichever team you are cheering on just have a fun and safe Super Bowl Sunday!

Cheers!

MK