It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

My first year out of college, my birthday aligned with Super Bowl Sunday. I had just broken up with my girlfriend, so to ease the heartbreak I invited a few of my friends over for burgers and dogs. A good time was had by all, so the next year I invited a few more friends and made some different kinds of food. Super Bowl at my house soon became an annual tradition. It grew bigger and more elaborate, complicated by the fact that after year two, I declared that I would never serve the same menu twice.

The Super Bowl party is one of the things that WonderWife™ inherited when she hooked up with me. However, since she's a foodie like me, it’s only gotten better since she’s been the co-host. I love throwing this party and despite my tepid interest in sports, Super Bowl Sunday has become one of my favorite days of the year.  It's my de-facto birthday party.  

The planning of the party starts around Thanksgiving, when WW™ and I will start to brainstorm recipes. We toss out ideas to each other, forget those ideas and have to think of new ones. We eventually hone in on our choices mid-January.

We spend all weekend cooking. Come game time, WW™ and I are so busy in the kitchen that we barely even get to see any of the game...or the commercials. (I know there was a Simpsons Coke commercial this year, but I didn't see it.)

This year, we finished early and I did get to watch the 4th quarter. And I finally won a bet against my friend KK, who has taken my money for about 5 years in a row.

Even though I was asked to do so, I didn’t get a chance to take any pictures of the spread, but because some of you were curious, this is what WW™ and I cooked this year:

• Clam Dip – This is my friend Dimo’s favorite. It's clams, butter, onions, baked until bubbling and served with Ritz crackers. 

• Deconstructed Potato Skins - Bacon, cheddar cheese, sour cream and chives served on top of a potato chip

• Caramelized Onion Flat Bread - Caramelized onions, Gala apples, crème fraiche on pizza dough

• Korean BBQ Short Rib Hash - Boneless short rib marinated in Korean BBQ spices, potato, onion, peppers

• Pate a Choux - Light pastry profiteroles filled with either spinach artichoke or smoked salmon dip

• Potato Chip Frittata - Mini Frittatas filled with onion, leek and carrot topped with crumbled potato chips.

• Chix in a Blanket - Chicken and bacon baked inside pockets of dough.

• Dessert Won Tons – Fried won tons filled with combinations of banana, strawberry, semi-sweet chocolate, Nutella and toasted coconut.

(I told you we go all out.)

Before I go, can we have a giant shout out to WonderWife™?  I know that I go on about her a lot on this here blog, but seriously this woman is kick-ass, she totally went above and beyond with today's party.  Girl can roll out a flatbread like nobody's business.  Totally put me to shame.