Super Bowl = Super Snacks

Teamwork: It helps get football teams to the Super Bowl. It also helps get your Super Bowl spread to everyone's plates in the time it takes to watch a few of those high-priced commercials.

Beef Tostadas were on the menu at Jill's and Eric's when I helped out after Kinley was born. But it could be an easy way to feed guests at a Super Bowl party: Form a line-up of the ingredients buffet-style, and then let everyone "scramble" to build it their own way. Every quarterback needs options, so you could provide fajita chicken, shredded pork and other fresh toppings. Throw in some refried beans and Mexican rice: Score! The meal is done (except for the snacks and the desserts - see below for a few ideas.)

It doesn't really fit the flavor profile for either the New England Patriots or the New York Giants. I'm not sure what makes the grade as the quintessential team food for those two franchises. (It's not like cheeseheads from last year's Super Bowl.)

Enjoy! What are your favorite Super Bowl snacks or meals?

Beef Tostadas
From Taste of Home's
Simple and Delicious magazine
December 2011/January 2012

1 lb. lean ground beef (I used roast beef - see below)
1 cup chopped sweet red pepper
1/2 cup chili sauce
1 tsp. taco seasoning
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 cup sour cream
3 tsp. chipotle sauce
6 tostada shells
3 cups shredded lettuce
1 1/2 cups guacamole
1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
Chopped cilantro
Chopped green onion

Cook beef and red pepper over medium heat in large skillet until meat is no longer pink; drain. (Because I used already cooked roast beef, I softened the red pepper in the microwave.) Stir in chili sauce, taco seasoning, salt and pepper; heat through.

Combine sour cream and chipotle sauce in small bowl.

Layer each tostada with lettuce, meat mixture, guacamole, cheese and chipotle cream. Top with chopped green onions and cilantro.

Serve with refried beans.

Notes: I used roast beef instead of hamburger. I had cooked a roast in the same liquid I'd used to make pulled pork sandwiches. (The pulled pork would be a great Super Bowl meal, too, by the way.) Then I brought part of the roast to Jill and Eric's. Originally, I thought we could use it for sandwiches. But then I saw the tostada recipe and thought it would be perfect for that. The beef had some extra spices from its stay in the slow cooker, but it just added to the flavor.

I didn't buy tostada shells. Instead, I used whole wheat tortillas. I sprayed both sides with cooking spray and then broiled them until they were crispy.

We used more than the 3 cups of lettuce called for. I purchased shredded lettuce from the grocery store, rather than doing it myself this time.

Jill and Eric especially liked the chipotle sauce/sour cream combo. They thought they'd be using that idea for other Mexican meals or for sandwiches.

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Need other ideas for the Super Bowl? Click on the underlined recipe names for the recipes. (Some of those posts also have links to more recipes, so happy exploring!)

Baked Brie

Team Spirit Munch
(If you're actually a Patriot or Giants fan, you can use candy melts in the team colors.)

Deli Slices

Cheesecake Bars

Clipper Bars

You can find more recipes by going to the search area in the upper lefthand corner of my blog.
Type in bar cookies, snack mix, pizza and see what comes up!

Have a great weekend everyone!