by Glynis Smy

Created on: February 04, 2010

The Super Bowl and food are a partnership. If you host a Super Bowl party you want to be part of the event, not the one cooking in the Kitchen. Spectators of the sport want fast, tasty food. Large colorful bowls and plates, full of tasty tempting snacks will look great on any table. If this is your first time hosting such an event, invest in a few and keep them for future events. Buy in the colors of your favorite team and get a theme going. Snatch and grab foods are the best, foods that can be passed around while watching the big game.

Think ahead and prepare foods that will not spoil or need you attending to them. If this is to be the main meal of the day, you might want to add a few nutritional dishes to the menu. Make the foods inexpensive, budget wisely and your party will be a hit. The stores have many bulk sized packs of nibbles for filling hungry supporters, but there is nothing like adding a few homemade treats to the table.

NB: Be wary of buying peanuts if you have young children attending, these can fall to the floor and little pickers could choke.

Cut sticks of carrot, cucumber and cubed cheese are ideal laid on a platter. Lay them out in the initials of your team as a center piece for fun. Popcorn is a great snack, low in calories for the health conscious.

Cheesy Balls, Chicken Rounds and Peanut Butter Bits can be made in advance and are popular finger foods.

Recipe for Spicy Cheesy Balls (makes approx 35)

1/2 cup softened butter/margarine
1 cup all purpose flour
2 cups of strong flavored cheese (cheddar is best)
1/4 cayenne pepper (powdered)
1 level teaspoon paprika (powdered)

Pre heat the oven: 375°F/190C/Gas mark 5
Mix dry ingredients in a bowl, then add the cheese, ( the oil from the cheese binds them). Make small bite size balls and place them onto a non stick baking tray. Bake for 10 minutes.

Should you not want them spicy, leave out the peppers. They can be made with herbs and cheese for variety.

Chicken Rounds are so versatile, they can be hot or cold and are great with dips.

2lb (900g) of ground chicken (minced chicken)
4oz (100g) of dried breadcrumbs (fresh are too soft)
2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
1 small onion
pinch of salt and black pepper


Mix all the ingredients into a bowl and with damp hands mash together. Form small round pop- in -the -mouth balls and put to one side. Heat oil in a pan and fry off the balls until golden brown. They can be deep fried if required.

These are so versatile, here are some ideas to add to the recipe and vary them:

Flatten them to make small bite sized burgers and pop inside mini pitta breads with sliced tomatoes etc.

Add Chilli powder for a spicy kick
Add herbs for a savory bite
Mix in sesame seeds for a nutty taste
A little tomato paste, crushed garlic and chopped basil will give a Mediterranean touch to them
Leave out the salt and pepper and add a tablespoon of peanut butter for a satay chicken ball.

Peanut Butter Bits

Jar of smooth peanut butter
Large bar of confectioners/baking chocolate
Bag of chocolate chips

Take a teaspoon or two of peanut butter, push a chocolate chip into the middle and seal by rolling into a round. Make as many as you desire. Then melt a bar of chocolate into a bowl, dip the peanut balls into the chocolate and allow to set. Shake chocolate powder or icing sugar over them before presenting.

Experiment with the above recipes and you will have a table of treats at low cost and little effort. You will also be part of the party, enjoy!

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