Sunday Afternoon Tailgate: The Super Bowl

Well, we've finally made it! After 20 weeks of football and tailgating the game to end all games is here, the great American holiday, The Super Bowl. Peyton Manning and the Broncos vs. the Seattle Seahawsk and their Legion of Boom defense. With a championship game of this magnitude, we need a tailgating feast fit for a champion. Fortunately, I have some great recipes planned, and a crack kitchen staff consisting of my mother and fellow football fanatic Dominique Bruno to ensure that this party goes off without a hitch!

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Broncos

Kap's Legendary Big Game Snack Mix

It's a tradition to make this every Super Bowl. Check out the Week 7 Tailgate to see the recipe!

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Miniature Denver Frittatas

Everyone knows the Denver omelette--that mix of onion, green pepper, and mushrooms that takes eggs to a whole new level. For today's tailgate, I've taken that traditional breakfast food and turned it into a finger food using muffin tins.

• PAM cooking spray
  
• 10-12 Eggs
  
• ½ c. Milk
  
• ½ tsp. Black pepper
  
• ¼ tsp. Garlic salt
  
• Chives, chopped
  
• ¼ c. grated Parmesan cheese
  
• 4 oz. Ham, chopped
  
• 1 small Yellow onion, chopped
  
• 1 Green pepper, chopped
  
• 6-8 Button mushrooms, chopped
  
• Sharp Cheddar, shredded
  
• Paprika, for garnish
  

Preheat oven to 375. Spray muffin tins with nonstick spray. Whisk the eggs, milk, pepper, salt, and stir in the chives, ham, parmesan, onion, green pepper, and mushrooms. Fill muffin cups half way to ¾ full with the egg mixture. Bake until the mixture puffs and is just set in the center (about 8-10 min.). Add cheddar and paprika and cook for 2 min. more. Using a spatula, loosen the frittatas from the cups and slide on to a platter. Serve immediately.

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Mile-High Piled High Pulled Pork Nachos (with Homemade Corn Salsa)

Nachos and football are the perfect combination. Pile blue corn chips high with pulled pork and black beans and you've got yourself an appetizer big enough to feed a stadium.

• Blue Corn Chips
  
• Bourbon-braised pulled pork (recipe below)
  
• 1 can Black beans, rinsed
  
• 1 bag Pepper-jack cheese
  
• 1 bag Cheddar cheese
  
• Chives, to top
  
• Sour cream, to top
  
• 1 bottle of Salsa Verde, to top
• Homemade corn salsa, to top (recipe below)

Preheat oven to 400. Top the chips with the pork, beans, cheeses, and chives. Bake for 8 min. or until cooked. Serve with sour cream and salsas.



Bourbon-braised Pulled Pork:

• 1 lb. Pork shoulder
  
• 1-2 pieces of Green pepper
  
• ¼ c. packed Brown sugar
  
• 3 oz. Bourbon
  
• 1 TBSP Worcestershire sauce
  
• 1 TBSP Dijon mustard
  
• 1 TBSP Apple cider vinegar
  
• 1 TBSP Ketchup
  
• 1 small Onion, chopped
  
• Garlic salt
  
• Black Pepper
  

Season pork with salt and pepper. Mix sugar, bourbon, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, mustard, onions, and ketchup. Pour over pork, spreading over all sides. Slow cook for 6-8 hours on low. Remove from cooker and let sit for 10-15 min. Shred pork and mix with some of the sauce.

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Homemade Salsa:

• 1 Orange bell pepper, finely chopped
  
• 1 small Red onion, finely chopped
  
• 1 can of Sweet corn, drained and washed
  
• 1 tsp. chopped Garlic
  
• 2 Yellow tomatoes, finely diced (or 1 14 oz. can petite diced tomato, partially drained)
  
• 1 handful finely shredded Carrot
  
• 1 Jalapeno, seeds removed, finely chopped
  
• Squirt of Lime juice
  
• Pinch of Kosher salt
  
• Pinch of Black pepper
  
• 1 tsp. White sugar
  
• 1 tsp. White vinegar
  

Mix ingredients to make salsa. Chill.

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Colorado Buffalo Sliders with Denver BBQ Sauce

The largest animal in Colorado is the bison, and it's a symbol that has become associated with the state (the University of Colorado mascot is Ralphie the Buffalo). Bison meat, in addition to being an all-American delicacy, is also low in fat. So these sliders also benefit from being a little easier on the diet, as well.

• PAM cooking spray
  
• 1-2 lb. Ground bison
  
• ½ lb. Lean ground beef
• ¼ tsp. Sea salt
  
• ¼ tsp. Black pepper
  
• ¼ tsp. Sage
  
• ¼ tsp. Saffron (if available)
  
• 1 tsp. Chili powder
  
• Denver BBQ sauce (recipe below)
  
• Thick-cut bacon (ready crisp)
  
• Sharp cheddar slices
  
• French’s fried onions
  
• 1 bag Shredded lettuce
  
• Slider buns
  
• Butter
  

Combine bison meat, sage, saffron, and chili powder. Press into sliders using mold. Preheat griddle to medium heat and spray with cooking spray. Season each side of the burgers with salt and pepper, and cook for 8-10 minutes (flipping halfway) or until cooked to desired temperature. Add cheddar in final 2 minutes to melt.

To plate, butter slider buns and toast lightly. Top with slider patty, bacon, Denver BBQ sauce, fried onions, and lettuce.



Denver BBQ Sauce:

• 1 bottle of Tomato-based BBQ sauce
  
• 1 tsp. Liquid smoke
  
• 6-8 drops Hot sauce
  
• 2 TBSP Orange juice
  
• 1 tsp. Dehydrated onion
  

Mix ingredients in a small pan and heat through.

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"Rocky Mountain Oysters"

The most unusual Denver food is probably the cryptically named "Rocky Mountain Oyster." What is a Rocky Mountain Oyster? I'm glad you asked. Think of them as coming from the "tendergroin" region of a bull calf.

Now, living on the east coast, I don't know where I would get my hand on any swinging beef, and I'm not sure my party-goers would be up for that culinary adventure. So I invented a dessert recipe that captures the spirit of the original, only with minimal castration.

• 2/3 c. Salted butter
  
• 1 ½ c. Brown sugar
  
• ¼ c. Brandy
  
• 4 c. Semi-sweet chocolate chips
  
• 2 tsp. Vanilla extract
  
• 4 Eggs
  
• 2 TBSP Cinnamon
  
• 1 ½ c. All-purpose flour
  
• ½ tsp. Baking soda
  
• ½ tsp Salt
  
• 1 can of Condensed milk
  
• Brown sugar for rolling
  
• Coarse salt for garnish

In a sauce pan, bring the butter, sugar, and brandy to simmer. Remove from heat. Stirin in 2 c. chocolate chips until melted. Cool slightly and stir in vanilla. In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs and add the chocolate mixture, mixing well. Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt, and then gradually add the dry ingredients to the chocolate mixture.  Stir in the remaining chocolate chips. Spread into a greased baking pan (whatever size you use for brownies) and bake at 325 for 35-45 minutes (or until a fork comes out clean). Let cool enough so that it won’t burn your hands. Spread brown sugar on a cutting board. Scrape up brownie mixture, working from the edges, and combine it in a bowl with condensed milk, pouring slowly (add just enough so that the mixture doesn’t become too liquidy to form into balls). Begin shaping 1” balls out of the mix. Lightly roll them in the brown sugar. Top each with a few crystals of coarse salt.

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The Bronco Cocktail

This multi-colored cocktail is perfect for Denver--especially, when you recall that famed Orange Crush Defense of the 70s.

• 1 ½ oz. cold Vodka
  
• 8 oz. Orange cream Soda
  
• ½ oz. Blue curacao

In a small glass, mix vodka and blue curacao. In a separate tall glass, pour the orange soda. Pour the contents of the small glass slowly into the tall glass over a spoon so that it floats on top.

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Seahawks

Dungeness Crab Spread

Dungeness crab is one of Seattle's signature dishes, and it makes for a delicious game-time dip. If you don't have access to Dungeness crab, you can use regular lump crab meat (that's what I'm doing).

• 1 large can of lump crab meat (or 2 small cans)
  
• 8 oz. cream cheese (softened)
  
• 4 TBSP Miracle Whip
  
• 1 TBSP Worcestershire sauce
  
• 1 tsp. horseradish sauce
  
• 2 tsp. Dijon Mustard
  
• 1 TBSP Cooking Sherry
  
• 1 tsp. lemon juice
  
• Dash of Tabasco
  
• 1 TBSP butter (softened)
  
• ½ tsp. chopped garlic
  
• 3-4 scallions, chopped
  
• ¼ tsp. Dried Thyme
  
• 1/8 tsp. ground black pepper
  
• ¼ tsp. celery salt
  
• Paprika to taste
  
• 1/8 tsp. nutmeg
  
• Parsley to taste
  
• 6 oz. of high quality parmesan cheese
  
• 1 French baguette, cut into rounds and buttered
  

Mix ingredients and cook in crock pot on low for 2 hours. To make crostini, butter the bread rounds and bake in 400-degree oven until crispy (15-20 min.)

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Garlic Rally Fries

At Seattle stadiums, the rally fry is a fan tradition. These garlic steak fries are typically served with lots of parsley, and tart apple slices (which cut the pungent flavor and taste surprisingly good).

• 1 bag frozen steak fries (garlic if available)
  
• 6 tsp. chopped garlic
  
• Canola oil for cooking
  
• ½ tsp. coarse sea salt
  
• 1 TBSP chopped parsley

 
Preheat oven and cook fries according to instructions on bag. Heat garlic in oil in a small sauce pan over medium heat for 2 min. Set garlic aside. Remove potatoes from oven when cooked. Toss with garlic, parsley, and salt. Return to oven and cook for 1-2 min. Serve immediately with sliced apples.

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Thai Salmon Sliders

Being on the Pacific coast, Seattle is known for its great seafood, especially salmon, and its Asian fusion cuisine. Those who know me know that I'm not a big fan of salmon, but these thai-inspired salmon sliders are excellent. They'll remind you of crab cakes.

• Pam cooking spray
  
• 1-2 lb. Salmon, skin removed, finely chopped (or a 14 oz. can of salmon)
  
• 1 jar Pimentos, finely chopped
  
• ¼ c. Panko bread crumbs
  
• 1 tsp. chopped Garlic
  
• 1 tsp. Ginger paste
  
• 1-2 Green onions, chopped
  
• 3-4 Mushrooms, chopped
  
• ½ tsp. Red chili flakes
  
• 2 Egg whites
  
• 2 tsp. Soy sauce
  
• 1 tsp. Lemon juice
  
• 1 tsp. Honey
  
• ¼ tsp. Liquid smoke
  
• ½ tsp. Sesame oil
  
• ½ tsp. Sea salt
  
• Hoisin sauce
  
• Cabbage slaw (recipe below)
  
• Chili cream cheese (recipe below)
  
• Sriracha, to taste
  
• Hawaiian sweet rolls
  

In a bowl, combine the egg white, soy sauce, lemon juice, honey, liquid smoke, sesame oil, and sea salt. Whisk until mixed well.

In a food processor, pulse salmon until coarsely ground. Add the mixture above and pulse until mixed. Transfer to a mixing bowl and add the pimentos, bread crumbs, garlic, ginger paste, green onions, mushrooms, and chili flakes. Mix thoroughly (adding bread crumbs if necessary to thicken). Shape into small patties and refrigerate, covered, for at least an hour.

When ready to cook, preheat griddler to medium-high and spray with cooking spray. Baste both sides of salmon patties with Hoisin sauce. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side.

To plate, lightly toast the Hawaiian sweet rolls. Then spread chili cream cheese on one side of the Hawaiian sweet roll, and top with cooked salmon patty and cabbage slaw. Garnish with Sriracha, if desired.



Cabbage Slaw:

• 1 Red onion, chopped
  
• 1 bag of Cabbage, shredded
  
• 2 TBSP Rice wine vinegar
  
• 1 tsp. Sugar
  
• Squirt of Lime juice
  

Mix well.



Chili Cream Cheese:

• 4 oz. Cream cheese
  
• 2 oz. Thai sweet chili sauce
  

Mix well.

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Apple Coffee Cake Muffins

These coffee cake muffins are great for dessert or for breakfast, and they take advantage of Washington's state fruit, the apple.


Muffins:

• ½ stick Unsalted butter, room temperature
  
• ¾ c. Packed light brown sugar
  
• 1 large Egg
  
• 1 c. All-purpose flour
  
• ½ tsp. Baking powder
  
• ¼ tsp. Baking soda
  
• ½ tsp Ground cinnamon
  
• ¼ tsp. Salt
  
• ½ c. Sour cream
  
• ½ tsp. Vanilla extract
  
• 1 chopped Apple (about 1 c.)
  

Crumble Topping:

• ¼ c. Packed light brown sugar
  
• ¼ c. All-purpose flour
  
• ¼ tsp. Ground cinnamon
  
• 2 TBSP Unsalted butter, softened
  
• Pinch of Salt
  

Brown Sugar Glaze:

• ¼ c. Packed light brown sugar
  
• ¼ tsp. Vanilla extract
  
• 1 TBSP Water
  

• Muffin cup liners
  

Preheat oven to 350, and put muffin tin liners into the tins.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, and beat well. In a separate bowl, sift together dry ingredients. Add to the wet ingredients, and add sour cream and vanilla. Fold in the apples, and pour the mixture into the muffin tins.

To make the topping, combine sugar, flour, cinnamon, salt, and butter, in a bowl. Mix until it resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over the cupcakes and bake until set, 15-20 min.

Let cool for at least 10 min.

To make glaze, combine sugar, vanilla, and water, and mix until smooth. Drizzle over the cupcakes and let harden slightly. Serve warm.

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Cocoa Football Bites

This recipe is a Super Bowl tradition, but I can't take credit for it. To see the original recipe, follow this link to Kraft Foods.

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Kahlúa Ginger Ale

Coffee and Seattle are synonymous. This simple mixer brings a taste of Seattle's best to cocktail hour.

• 2 oz. Kahlúa (or other coffee spirit)
  
• 4 oz. Vernor’s Ginger Ale
  

Combine ingredients and stir well.

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PREDICTION: I picked the Broncos to win it all at the start of the season, and I'm not turning my back on that pick now. Peyton Manning has had the greatest season in the history of the game from the QB position, and the perfect way to cap off his miraculous comeback, cementing his place in history as one of the best signal callers in the game, would be to win a second Super Bowl here today. Seattle's defense is stout, no doubt, but Peyton wants to prove wrong all the naysayers who claim he chokes in the big game. Expect him to come out slinging, and the Broncos to win Super Bowl 48.


SCORE: 28-20


MVP: Peyton Manning

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All recipes listed above come from my own imagination unless otherwise indicated. If you try one of these recipes in your own kitchen, leave a comment below and tell me how it goes. And, of course, share your modifications, enhancements, improvements, etc.