Yes, it is that time of year again. No, not a time to recollect about how there hasn't been any playoff football in Houston for 17 years. A time to start planning to host or attend a Super Bowl XLV party.
Sure, another season of no playoff football for the Texans hurts. And in a year where the Super Bowl will be played in Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, it hurts even more. But look at the bright side: The Cowboys are at home watching, too.
Onto party time...many have a tradition of a location or someone's home they attend for a soiree of some sort. And usually, if they don't support a team in the big game, the focus is on the commercials, the food and the booze. Some do both.
To those who don't have a place they usually attend or a favorite dip they like to have on said gameday, here is a guide to a couple of suggestions.
Most people have an "inner-circle" of friends they like to hang around with. If they're close, they like to be able to spend major events together at some point. In my personal circle of friends, we take turns on stuff like Christmas and New Year's when it comes to hosting a party or get together of some sort. One thing that is constant is that the Super Bowl party is mine every year. Every year since 2003, in fact. This year, of course, is no different.
I'm not the only one. Lots of people have a tradition of breaking the fire code and making their house feel like sardines in a can by inviting as many people as they possibly can to watch the game (or commercials) while they eat and drink as much as humanly possible. It's like a second Thanksgiving with all of the food. It can become quite like a tailgate, only in your backyard and living room.
While working the grill is always a joy for some, others are more into the snack foods and sweets for picking through the entirety of the evening. An example of a cheap dish that I make each year (and it feeds a ton) is as follows:
Super Sunday Easy Cheesy Chili Dip
- 6 cans (15 oz) of Wolf Brand Chili (with or without beans, jalapenos, onions, whatever you prefer)
- 4 bags (16 oz) of Kraft fine shredded Four Cheese Mexican Blend.
- A couple bags of your favorite corn chip.
Get you one of those disposable foil casserole pans (the size varies based on the dimensions of the warming tray). Make sure it is sturdy enough to support the weight of all the contents. Now just make layers, as think or as thin as you want to. A layer of cheese, a layer of chili, and so on. Repeat all the way to the top of the pan and cap it off with whatever cheese you have left. The warming tray is a must so the cheese doesn't congeal. If you choose to go with something a little more sturdy, we got a stainless steel chafing tray through our wedding registry, but the disposable one makes clean up a lot easier. Simple to make, affordable and it will feed plenty of people who just want to snack through the whole evening. Sure, we have much more than that, but I'm not one to sit here and tell anyone how to cook. Let's just say that everyone goes home sick from eating too much.
Then you have your favorite mixed drinks, for those who just don't feel like beer will cut it. Personally, as most of you know, I'm a beer guy. But every once in awhile, when you're dealing with mass quantities of spicy food, you need something to offset that. And thankfully, there are several things you could try. A nice blend of Jameson's Irish Whiskey and some Coke Zero is my personal favorite. But just about any whiskey, vodka or rum mixes well with a Coke.
Finally, there are plenty of sports bars around town that have yearly Super Bowl get togethers, so I'm sure whatever bar you frequent will be having some sort of event on February 6th. Unfortunately, I can't recommend very many to you, as I am like Cheers when it comes to my bar. I don't go to very many and the ones I do go to focus more on the beers than sports. That, or when you mention football, they shout something about the Football Association of Ireland and how it's better than American football because it's "the most popular sport in the world" or some nonsense. Gotta love the Irish. I am sure our friends at 360 sports lounge will be having something going on.
Use the space below to mention any party locations, recipes or beer and alcohol suggestions or recommendations you may have. Remember to drink responsibly and try not to eat so much that you regurgitate onto your friend's living room carpet. In the words of Abraham Lincoln--Be excellent to each other...and PARTY ON, DUDES!!!