Super Bowl Recipes

Favorite snacks and treats for the big game

The Super Bowl is this weekend and we'll be hosting a small viewing party as usual. This is the fifth year that my husband and I have been together for the Super Bowl (our first time ever entertaining together was for a Super Bowl party at his old apartment in 2010) and we've picked up some tips over the years. We keep the guest list small so that everyone has a comfortable spot to watch the game, serve everything on paper plates for easy clean up, and make food that can be prepared in advance so we're not stuck in the kitchen during the party. For the menu, we like to serve a bunch of different foods buffet-style so that people can help themselves throughout the day. It's important to not serve anything too messy or difficult to eat (two bites is ideal) and choose things that can be eaten at room temperature or kept warm over low heat on the stove.

Here are some great recipes for snacks and treats for easy entertaining on Super Bowl Sunday. If you want more inspiration, check out my Pinterest page or last year's post.


Super Bowl Party Recipes:

• Homemade Hummus - It's always a good idea to have a healthy option for guests who are watching their calorie intake.
• Warm Spinach Artichoke Dip - Cheesy, creamy, and comforting spinach dip will be a party favorite.
• Baked Sweet Potato Fries - These fries can be prepped in advance and then baked in the oven while you're watching the game. No messy and time-consuming deep frying necessary.
• Roasted Shrimp Cocktail - Juicy shrimp with a tangy and slightly spicy cocktail sauce.
• White Chocolate & Buttered Popcorn Cookies - These cookies are an addicting blend of sweet and salty.

Baked Cranberry Brie in Puff Pastry

A festive and easy appetizer for the holidays

Baked brie is such a crowd-pleasing appetizer, and this version with cranberry sauce is super festive for the holidays. In college, one of my roommates would always make a version of this dish for our Christmas party and I remember all of us girls huddling around the plate as soon as it came out of the oven. The puff pastry forms a flakey crust around the molten brie, which mixes with the sweet-tart cranberry sauce as it bakes. When you cut it open, the cheese oozes out and is perfect to spread onto a cracker, while the edge pieces of pastry are nice bites on their own. The best part of this dish is how simple it is - you only need a few ingredients and less than five minutes to prep it. You can even assemble the brie package earlier in the day and keep it in the fridge until you're ready to put it in the oven. It's a no-fuss dish that looks impressive and that everyone will love.

Note: You can swap out the brie with another similar cheese, such as camembert.


Related Recipes:
- Poached Cherries with Goat Cheese
- Baked Honey & Walnut Brie
- Great Grandmother's Cheeseball


Baked Cranberry Brie in Puff Pastry:

• Preheat the oven to 375F.
• Roll out 1 sheet of de-frosted puff pastry to 1/4"-1/8" thick.
• Place one 8 oz. wheel of brie cheese in the middle of the pastry, then spread 1/4 c. of cranberry sauce* on top of the cheese.
• Fold the ends of the pastry over the cheese and crimp to secure it in a little package. Trim extra pastry if needed.
• In a small bowl, whisk together 1 egg and a splash of water. Brush a little of the egg wash over the pastry.
• Bake the cheese in a baking dish for 30-35 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown.
• Let cool slightly, then serve with crackers, sliced fruit, etc.

Serves six-ten (appetizer)

*I used a chunky fresh cranberry sauce that gave it some texture.

Prosciutto-Wrapped Truffled Breadsticks

Thin breadsticks dipped in truffle butter and wrapped in prosciutto

Maybe because we are staying local for Christmas this year or because we got a taste of a white Christmas when we were in snowy Minnesota last week, but I'm really feeling the holiday spirit this year.  We got a big tree, decked out the rest of our house, and invited friends over for a party last weekend. We didn't have enough seating to do a sit-down dinner, so we transformed our dining table into a buffet and had a bunch of finger foods for people to graze on all night. These breadsticks from
The Mozza Cookbook were one of the most popular dishes and they are so easy to make. Store-bought grissini are broken in half, dipped in truffled-butter, and then wrapped in thinly-sliced prosciutto. They look beautiful stacked on a platter and are a fun alternative to a charcuterie plate.


Related Recipes:
- Parmesan-Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Dates
- Prosciutto & Melon Kabobs
- Parmesan & Black Pepper Crackers


Prosciutto-Wrapped Truffled Breadsticks:
Ingredients
- 20 grissini or thin breadsticks, snapped in half
- 6 tbsp. soft butter
- 1/2 tsp. truffle salt
- 20 paper-thin slices of prosciutto, ripped in half

Recipe

• In a small bowl, mix the butter and truffle salt together.
• Roll/dip the snapped end of a breadstick in the butter and then loosely wrap in prosciutto.
• Repeat with remaining breadsticks.

Makes forty breadsticks

Thanksgiving Recipes

Favorite recipes for the most important meal of the year

I think favorite holidays change as we get older. As a kid it was all about holidays with presents, but now that I'm older, Thanksgiving is one of my absolute favorite celebrations of the year. I love the traditional foods, breaking out special wine, and spending the long weekend with friends and family. This year, my husband and I are going back to his hometown in Minnesota to spend Thanksgiving with his family. Because I work in advertising for online retailers, I am especially grateful that I get to spend this time on vacation while so many others are staying up all night in anticipation of Black Friday. I'm going to spend my time staying indoors to avoid the cold and help my mother-in-law with the Thanksgiving feast. I'm in charge of a few dishes and look forward to contributing some of my favorite recipes to the Thanksgiving table. 

*Looking for more Thanksgiving inspiration? Check out my Pinterest board.

Thanksgiving Recipes:

THE STAR OF THE SHOW

• Maple-Glazed Roast Turkey - My family's tried-and-true recipe.
• Slow-Roasted Whole Duck - If turkey isn't your thing, try making a crispy duck instead.

SIDE DISHES

• Leek & Mushroom Bread Pudding - Like traditional dressing, but with cheese!
• Baked Sweet Potatoes with Molasses-Chile Butter - A nice alternative to candied yams.
• Kale, Brussels Sprout, & Hazelnut Salad - Something healthy and green to add contrast to your plate.

DESSERT

• Pecan Pie - My favorite pie, ever.
• Apple Pie with Cinnamon Crumble - A free-form pie that's less fussy than the traditional.

Already thinking about the leftovers? Check out this guide to make the most out your leftover turkey.

Favorite Game Day Foods

Celebrate football season with these game-worthy foods

Football season is officially back tonight, meaning that I have to share my husband with three fantasy leagues and the Minnesota Vikings until February. On the upside, it gives me ample opportunity to come up with new recipes for us to enjoy while watching the games. We already are planning on making some breakfast burritos for us to eat on Sunday morning for the first Vikings game (more on that coming next week), but there are plenty of favorite dishes that we'll be revisiting in the coming months. Here are four of our favorite football game day dishes that are perfect for parties, tailgates, or just watching the games at home.

Four Football Game Day Recipes:

• Spinach Artichoke Dip - It's easy to make this restaurant favorite at home. Serve with chips, crudite, anything you want.
• Jalapeño Corn Fritters - Make use of late summer corn with these savory pancakes. They make a great appetizer.
• Chicken & Black Bean Nachos - Chips loaded with cheese, chicken, black beans, and fixings. Customize to make your ultimate version.
• Grilled Chicken Wings with Jalapeño Yogurt Dip - These grilled salt and pepper wings and creamy, spicy dip are a healthier take on classic buffalo wings.

Want more ideas? Check out my post on Super Bowl snacks.

Fourth of July Recipe Ideas

These classic American recipes are the perfect way to enjoy the Fourth of July

It's almost the Fourth of July, and we'll be making our annual trip to Minnesota to spend the week with my husband's family at their lake house. I look forward to the trip all year and can't wait to spend time boating, relaxing, and sharing some good meals (and drinks!) with our loved ones. We'll grill hamburgers and hot dogs and eat pasta salad and corn on the cob. After all, the Fourth of July is the time to embrace all the delicious American foods that we grew up on. Here's a list of some of my favorite all-American recipes, from a killer mac and cheese to sticky BBQ ribs.

*See previous Fourth of July menu ideas here.


Fourth of July Recipes:

• Baked Macaroni and Cheese - The ultimate mac and cheese is baked until gooey and bubbling and has a crispy breadcrumb topping.
• BBQ Ribs with Homemade BBQ Sauce - Sweet and tangy barbecue ribs are messy fun and an easy make-ahead recipe for your party.
• Buttermilk Biscuits - These tender, flaky biscuits are a welcome side dish to any Fourth of July table.
• Classic American Cheeseburgers - A traditional beef burger with melted American cheese slices and all the toppings.
• Mixed Berry Crisp - This dessert is a great way to use in-season berries and is so much easier than making a pie. Serve with vanilla ice cream!

Check out my Pinterest board for more recipes.

Recipes for a Cinco de Mayo Fiesta

Five easy Mexican recipes that are perfect for your next fiesta

It's officially May, which means that Cinco de Mayo is almost here. Although it's barely even a recognized holiday in Mexico, it's a great excuse to enjoy some tacos and drinks with your friends. And now that spring is fully here, it's time to fire up the barbecue and enjoy dining outdoors again. One of our favorite ways to entertain is to grill a bunch of meat and vegetables, lay out tortillas, salsa, and other toppings, and let everyone make their own tacos, fajitas, or burritos. It's such an easy and stress-free way to host an event and it's fun to let everyone customize their own plate. Here are some other favorite Mexican recipes that are great for large parties.


Cinco de Mayo Recipes:

• Queso Fundido Dip - This cheesy dip is the perfect party appetizer and always a crowd-pleaser. It's called queso "fun"dido for a reason.
• Chicken & Black Bean Nachos - Everyone loves nachos, and they're great finger food for parties. The key is to layer the toppings evenly so that no one gets a handful of bare chips.
• Grilled Skirt Steak Tacos - Fire up the grill for this spice-rubbed skirt steak. Slice and serve with an array of topping for a make-your-own buffet.
• Pork Carnitas - This is a dirt-cheap recipe for serving a crowd. Slowly braise a big cut of pork shoulder before guests arrive, mound it on a platter, and let your friends go crazy. 
• Jalapeno Margaritas - A fiesta isn't complete without homemade margaritas. These have an optional spicy kick and are one of the best I've ever had. Prep everything in advance and place the drink in a pitcher without ice so that you don't have to make each drink to order.

See a full list of my Mexican recipes here.

Easter Brunch Recipes

Easy make-ahead recipes for a delicious Easter brunch

Easter has got to be the number one brunch holiday of the year. Whether or not you're religious, it's a great excuse to get together with friends and family and enjoy a springtime meal together. Brunch is one of my favorite meals to entertain for because you can still host a party, clean up, take a nap, and have the rest of the night to yourself. The key to an easy Easter brunch is to prepare as much as possible in advance (many of these recipes can be made the night before) and serve things family style. Rather than making a bunch of scrambled eggs or pancakes to order, whip up a crowd-pleasing vegetable frittata or bake a big batch of french toast in the oven. These simple recipes will wow your guests ... and they'll have no idea how easy they were to make!


Easter Brunch Recipes:

• Mini Spinach & Onion Frittatas - Bite-size frittatas made in muffin pans for easy portioning. This recipe is made with sautéed spinach and onions, but feel free to use whatever flavor combination you like.
• Baked Cinnamon Walnut French Toast - This cross between french toast and bread pudding feeds a crowd and is baked in the oven so that you can enjoy time with your guests instead of being glued to the stove. 
• Potato Pancake with Smoked Salmon & Greens - A giant hash brown cake makes an impressive presentation and can easily be cut into wedges to serve guests.
• Lemon Yogurt Cake - This cake works as well for dessert as it does for breakfast. Serve with farmers' market berries to really take it to the next level.

**See my full list of breakfast and brunch recipes here.

St. Patrick's Day Recipe Ideas

Celebrate St. Patty's Day with something other than corned beef and green beer

St. Patrick's Day is a holiday largely known for heavy drinking, leprechauns, and getting pinched for not wearing green. In general, it's not really a food-lover's holiday, but there are menu options if corned beef and cabbage isn't your thing. Here are a few festive recipe ideas to celebrate the Irish whether you're having a quiet night at home or throwing a big party.


*See previous St. Patrick's Day recipes here.


St. Patrick's Day Recipes:

• Roasted Bratwurst with Caraway Cabbage: Crunchy, tangy sauteed cabbage replaces the traditionally limp, boiled version that St. Patty's is known for. This is a great meal to multiply for a crowd.
• Garlic Hassleback Potatoes: If the Irish are known for one food, it's potatoes. These are stuffed with thin slivers of garlic and baked in the oven until crispy.
• Roasted Salmon with Green Harissa: This bright-green, spicy, herby sauce is a festive nod to the holiday. It's paired with salmon in the original recipe but would taste great on chicken or steak, too.

Warm Spinach Artichoke Dip

This hot, creamy spinach and artichoke dip will be the star of your next party

Everyone loves a good creamy dip at parties and warm spinach artichoke dip is at the top of my list. It's not something I eat often, but it was the perfect thing to serve at our Super Bowl party. It's definitely not a highbrow food (I did a more gourmet crab dip last year), but it strikes a cord as one of those guilty pleasures that pairs perfectly with a few beers and an afternoon on the couch with friends. This recipe, slightly adapted from The Pioneer Woman, is a slightly-fancier version of the classic and contains five different cheeses and fresh baby spinach. And - hallelujah! - it contains absolutely zero mayo... because the only thing grosser than mayo is warm mayo (somehow I still love this avocado aioli, though). Instead, the creaminess comes from a big block of melted cream cheese and whole milk. Hey, I never claimed this dip was low-fat.


More Indulgent Dip Recipes:
- Queso Fundido Dip
- Baked Buffalo Wings & Blue Cheese Dip
- Mozzarella & Italian Sausage Queso


Warm Spinach Artichoke Dip:

• Melt 3 tbsp. butter in a large skillet and add in 6 minced garlic cloves.
• Cook the garlic for 1-2 minutes over medium heat, or until fragrant but not yet brown.
• Add in 8 oz. baby spinach and cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until the spinach wilts.
• Scrape the spinach onto a plate and let cool slightly before chopping.
• Meanwhile, add 8 oz. chopped, defrosted artichoke hearts to the skillet.
• Cook artichokes for 3-4 minutes, or until starting to take on a little color, then add to the chopped spinach and set aside.
• Return the skillet to the heat and wipe clean with a paper towel.
• Melt another 3 tbsp. butter with 3 tbsp. all-purpose flour and whisk until smooth.
• Add in 1-1 1/2 c. whole milk and whisk until smooth. Add in a pinch of salt and pepper.
• Stir in 8 oz. cream cheese, 1/2 c. grated parmesan, 1/2 c. crumbled feta, 1/2 c. grated Monterey Jack cheese, and 1/2 c. pepper jack cheese.
• Stir the cheese mixture until all the cheese has melted and the mixture is smooth, then stir in the spinach and artichokes.
• Pour the dip into a buttered baking dish and sprinkle with more grated jack cheese.*
• Bake in a 400F oven for 20 minutes, or until bubbling and starting to brown on top.
• Serve with toasted pita wedges, tortilla chips, crudites, etc.

Serves eight-ten

*The dip can be assembled at this stage and kept in the fridge for a day until baked.

Super Bowl Snacks

Everything you need for a delicious Super Bowl spread

The Super Bowl is this Sunday and we're getting ready for a small gathering at our house to watch the game. Thanks to my husband, I've gotten more and more into football every year and really look forward to watching the game (and commercials) with our friends. A lot of the fun comes from a big spread of food and drinks, which I always end up overindulging in. The key is to serve things that can easily be eaten in front of the couch without utensils, and making sure that at least some of the food can be served at room temperature. This keeps people, including the host, in front of the TV instead of forcing people to get up and pause the game or block others' views. Go to recipes for me always include something cheesy, some kind of chip and dip, and something sweet. Here are some of my favorite recipes for Super Bowl Sunday.


Want more ideas? See Super Bowl menus from 2011, 2012, and 2013.


A full list of my sweet and savory snack recipes can be found here.


Super Bowl Menu:

• Queso Fundido Dip - This melty dip is made with 100% real cheese, not Velveeta. Serve it with homemade tortilla chips (or cheat by throwing store-bought chips in the oven until warm) to really wow your guests.
• Bacon-Wrapped Dates - The perfect combination of sweet and salty. These bite-size snacks can be assembled well in advance and taste good warm or at room temperature.
• BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders - Everyone thinks of buffalo wings on game day, but these sliders will become a new fan favorite. Afterall, pork > chicken.
• Citrus Bars - An easy make-ahead treat. The tangy lemon flavor is a nice, fresh respite from all the rich food.
• Brown Butter Rice Krispies Treats - It doesn't get better than this for a sweet, portable snack. The nutty brown butter and flaked salt add a nice balance to the sugary marshmallows.

There's nothing wrong with serving some store-bought snacks as well. Here are a few of my favorites:

• Carrot and Celery Sticks with Hummus
• Salted Popcorn
• Kettle Chips - particularly Salt & Vinegar or Sour Cream & Onion

Parmesan-Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Dates

A sweet and salty appetizer that your guests will love

I love bacon. But when the bacon-wrapped everything trend was at its culinary peak, I got sick of it showing up in dishes it shouldn't. Some foods truly aren't better with bacon, but these bacon-wrapped parmesan-stuffed dates (recipe taken from The A.O.C. Cookbook) sure taste delicious. I usually find dates a little cloying, but the savory cheese and smoky bacon play off the date's sweetness and form a perfect balance. The recipe couldn't be simpler: just stuff pitted dates with a little chunk of Parmesan and then wrapped them up in a thin piece of bacon. I actually think it's really fun to sit around and make these and even recruited my husband (who usually only steps foot in the kitchen to grab a beer from the fridge or wash dishes) to help out. This would be a great project to get kids in on, too. The dates can easily be prepped hours before a party, stored in the fridge, and then popped into the oven after guests arrive. We served these as part of our New Year's small plates feast and they were gone within minutes.


More Appetizer Recipes:
- Mozzarella & Italian Sausage Queso Dip
- Fig & Goat Cheese Crostini
- Baked Potato Bites


Parmesan-Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Dates:

• Preheat the oven to 400F.
• Cut a small block of Parmesan cheese into matchstick-sized pieces and stuff a piece of cheese into each center of 24 pitted dates. Squeeze the opening of the dates closed.
• Cut 12 thin slices of bacon in half so that you have 24 pieces.*
• Tightly wrap a piece of the bacon around each date and place seam-side down on a baking sheet.
• Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes, or until bacon is crispy and cheese has melted.
• Let cool slightly, then arrange on a platter and serve.

Serves five-six

*The bacon must be thin or it won't get crispy. Lightly stretching the bacon before you wrap the date in it will help.

New Year's Eve Appetizers

The meaning of New Year's Eve has taken on a lot of change for me over the past few years. Once my
favorite party night of the year, it's turned into a much more relaxed celebration with my husband and a few close friends. Rather than brave the crowds and fork over a hefty cover charge at a nearby bar, we like to host an intimate gathering at home and spend our money on good champagne and a few indulgent eats. We'll most likely have a glass in our hand all night, so I find that serving an array of appetizers is the easiest way to fill up on New Year's Eve without interfering with the fun. These easy and elegant bites can be prepped in advance and then quickly heated or assembled right before guests arrive or in waves over the course of the evening. Serve with your favorite champagne or festive cocktail and enjoy!


New Year's Eve Appetizers:

• Baked Brie with Honey & Walnuts - Serve with crackers or toast points for an elegant twist on a typical cheese plate
• Crab Dip - The generous amount of lump crabmeat in this creamy dip is the perfect holiday indulgence
• Creamy Oyster and Chanterelle Crostini - A fancy riff on traditional crostini based off a recipe from the world's best chef
• Mini Garlic Hassleback Potatoes - The potatoes can be dressed up even further with a spoonful of caviar or a drizzle of truffle oil
• Broiled Oysters with Sriracha Butter- Nothing says traditional New Year's Eve decadence like a plate of shucked oysters

* Want more ideas? See a full list of my appetizer recipes.

The key to a good cocktail party (besides good cocktails!) is to make sure you're enjoying time with friends instead of spending the night in the kitchen. Here are some of my favorite store-bought items to set out as appetizers - no cooking required:

     - Smoked or Salted Almonds

     - Thinly-sliced Prosciutto or Genoa Salami

     - Herbed Boursin Cheese and Water Crackers

     - Crunchy, Juicy Green Grapes

Thanksgiving Recipe Guide

Nothing says Thanksgiving like roasting a whole turkey. This recipe for maple roasted turkey doesn't require more than a few ingredients and a little time to achieve the perfect bird.

Thanksgiving is this Thursday and I can’t wait to celebrate with my friends and family. My husband and I are going up to my parents’ house during the day and then we’re all meeting up at our friends’ house for a Thanksgiving dinner. It will be our biggest Thanksgiving yet (around twenty people) and therefore requires more food than ever before. There will be two turkeys, four desserts, and more side dishes than I can count. Everything has been planned out, including two pies that I’m making the day before, but I know that there’s plenty of people who are still deciding on their menu or looking for something to contribute to their host’s table. Here’s a list of easy Thanksgiving recipes that will surely be a hit at your Thursday feast.


Last-Minute Thanksgiving Menu:
- Maple Roasted Turkey
- Pumpkin Soup
- Herbed Ciabatta Stuffing
- Crispy Pancetta Brussels Sprouts
- Apple Tart

Celebrating with a small group? Skip roasting a whole turkey and make Herb Roasted Turkey Breasts with Pan Gravy instead.

Turkey isn't your thing? You're not alone. Start a new tradition and serve a Perfect Roast Chicken instead.

Check out last year's list of Thanksgiving Side Dishes and 2011's  Thanksgiving Recipes Guide for more inspiration.

Chicken & Black Bean Nachos

The ultimate nachos with layers of melted cheese, grilled chicken, and black beans

In college, my roommates and I were known to come home after the bars and make an epic (or so it seemed after hours of drinking) batch of nachos. It was a collaboration: someone would have a half-eaten bag of chips, a few people would have some cheese or salsa, and we'd throw it all together and eat it straight off the baking sheet. These nachos are so much better than that. They're full of grilled chicken (double or triple the recipe below and use the extras in tacos or fajitas), slow-cooked black beans, layers of melted cheese, and restaurant-style tortilla chips. The ingredients are important, but the real success comes in the construction - nachos need to be constructed in layers so that you're not left with a bunch of naked chips at the bottom. I also like to serve the condiments on the side, so each chip can be dipped in guacamole or salsa as guests wish. This is my ultimate version, but feel free to use whatever toppings you like best.


Related Recipes:
- Baked Tortilla Chips
- Homemade Guacamole
- Slow-Cooked Black Beans
- Tomatillo Salsa


Chicken & Black Bean Nachos:

• Season 1 boneless skinless chicken breasts with 1 tsp. cumin, 1 tsp. chile powder, and 1/2 tsp. kosher salt.
• Grill chicken for 4-5 minutes per side, or until outside has some char to it and the inside is just cooked.
• Let rest for a few minutes, then chop into small, bite-size pieces.*
• Meanwhile, arrange 1 even layer of tortilla chips on a baking sheet.
• Top with 3/4 c. grated cheddar cheese and 3/4 c. grated Monterey Jack cheese.
• Sprinkle with 1/4 c. cooked black beans and half of the chicken.
• Repeat with another layer of chips, cheese, beans, and chickens.
• Bake in a 400F oven for 8-10 minutes, or until cheese is bubbling and fully melted.
• Sprinkle with thinly sliced jalapeños and serve with guacamole, salsa, sour cream, etc.

Serves two-four (main dish)

Serves six-eight (appetizer)
*Can be cooked a day or two ahead and kept in the fridge. Or use any leftover cooked chicken you have on hand.

Queso Fundido Dip

This cheesy dip is the perfect game day or fiesta appetizer

Football season is back, which means that every Sunday until February is filled with watching the games, morning drinks, and all sorts of game day foods. This year my husband purchased NFL Sunday ticket, which allows us to stream all the games from home, and I couldn't be more thrilled to spend the day watching from our couch rather than at a crowded sports bar. I made some authentic-style queso dip (adapted from this recipe) with two kinds of melted cheese flavored by fresh tomato, onion, and jalapeño. It's so much better than melting down waxy processed cheese and just as easy.

Related Recipes:
- Mozzarella & Italian Sausage Queso Dip
- Homemade Baked Tortilla Chips
- Charred Tomatillo Salsa
- Guacamole

Queso Fundido Dip:

• Seed, core, and finely dice 1 jalapeño pepper, 1 medium-size tomato, and 1/2 small onion.
• Heat 1 tbsp. olive oil in a small skillet and add in the vegetables.
• Cook over medium heat for 4-5 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened and the onions are translucent.
• Add in 2 tbsp. tequila* and scrape any bits from the bottom of the pan.
• Let most of the liquid evaporate, then stir in 1 c. grated Monterey Jack cheese and 1 c. grated mild cheddar cheese.
• Reduce the heat to low and stir until the cheese has melted completely.
• Sprinkle with a handful of minced cilantro.
• Serve immediately with tortilla chips, or keep over very low heat until ready to serve.**

Serves two-four

*I used a silver/white tequila.

**If the dip cools too much after you serve it, just warm it over low heat for a few minutes. Or serve it in an insulated dish or fondue pot.

Super Bowl Menu

It isn't game day without chips and a cheesy dip. Pictured: Mozzarella & Italian Sausage Queso Dip

Make ahead dishes like chili ensure that you're watching the game and not cooking in the kitchen after kick-off. Pictured: Pork Green Chili

The Super Bowl is this Sunday, and this year I’m even more excited than ever to watch the game. We’ll be going to our friend’s Ravens party (wearing purple, of course) and bringing a few dishes to contribute to the snack spread. In Baltimore fashion, I’m making an Old Bay seasoned crab dip – but for those of you looking for more all-American classics, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite football foods. Let a pot of chili simmer on the stove or make a batch of crispy oven-baked buffalo wings because half the fun of the Super Bowl is what you eat and drink

Make your own bar food favorites, like this spin on potato skins. Pictured: Baked Potato Bites

Wings are a classic Super Bowl snack and baked versions are healthier and less messy. Pictured: Buffalo Wings with Blue Cheese Dip

Cookies and bars are a great no-fuss dessert for guests with a sweet tooth. Pictured: Salted Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Baked Potato Bites

These adorable appetizers have all the flavor of a loaded baked potato

Our friend invited us over to watch the AFC Championship game (he's a lifelong Ravens fan), which was the perfect excuse to try out the baked potato bites from my Smitten Kitchen cookbook. This recipe is a cross between potato skins, potato chips, and nachos, and is really the ultimate football snack food. The potatoes are simply sliced, roasted until crisp, and sprinkled with toppings. I went for the classic loaded baked potato combo of Tillamook cheddar, bacon bits, sour cream (I actually substituted with Greek yogurt), and scallions - but you could definitely get creative with whatever toppings you like best. They were a hit at the party and might even be considered a good luck charm for the Ravens in the Superbowl.


Related Recipes:
- Garlic Hassleback Potatoes
- Sweet Potato Cakes with Creamy Herb Dip
- Potato Latkes


Baked Potato Bites:

• Slice 4 large Russet potatoes in 1/2" rounds and place in a large bowl.
• Drizzle with 2  tbsp. melted butter and season generously with salt and pepper.
• Line two large baking sheets with aluminum foil and coat with a non-stick spray.
• Arrange the potato slices on the baking sheets in a single layer and place in a 425F oven.
• Cook for 30 minutes, or until potatoes are tender and the bottom has browned, then flip them and place back in the oven for 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, dice 5 slices of thick-cut bacon and place in a hot, dry skillet.
• Cook bacon bits until crispy, about 4 minutes, then remove with a slotted spoon and let drain on a paper towel.
• Take the potatoes out of the oven and sprinkle the tops of each with grated sharp cheddar cheese.*
• Place the potatoes back in the oven for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.
• Take the potatoes back out of the oven and sprinkle with the bacon bits.
• Spoon a little sour cream on top of each potato and sprinkle with thinly sliced scallions.
• Potato bites can be eaten immediately or at room temperature.

Makes about 40 bites

*You'll need about 1 c. of grated cheese total.

Christmas Menu

Roast beef is a Christmas classic, but this recipe is so simple that you'll want to make it year round. Pictured: Roast Beef Tenderloin with Horseradish Cream Sauce

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. The holiday is just a week away, and with gifts purchased and made(more on that soon), parties attended, and trees decorated, it’s almost time for the big event. This year is extra special for me because it’s the first year that my fiancé and I will be spending the day together. I’m so excited to share my family’s traditions with him and to start creating some of our own. This year we’re expecting twenty people at my parent’s house – our biggest crew yet – and will be creating a huge family-style feast. Here are some dishes that are perfect for celebrating, no matter how big or small or party is.

A rich side dish is a great way for vegetarian guests to indulge. Pictured: Mushroom Risotto

Cocktails always make the holidays a little merrier and kids will love the non-alcoholic version. Pictured: Bourbon-Spiked Hot Apple Cider

Add some festive color to your table with a beautiful make-ahead salad. Pictured: Roasted Beet, Arugula, & Burrata Salad

Tis the season for chocolate. Pictured: Chocolate-Hazelnut Espresso Mousse

Beef Tenderloin & Creamy Horseradish Sauce

Christmas is less than two weeks away, and I'm really starting to get into the spirit. I've already finished most of my gift shopping but there’s still a ton of things I want to do: make a gingerbread house, drive around our neighborhood looking at Christmas lights, and enjoy some festive meals. This is really the best time of year to break bread with friends and family, and such celebration should come with outstanding food. This beef tenderloin is a special-occasion cut of meat (after all, it’s basically a huge filet mignon) that’s still super low maintenance to prepare. The horseradish cream sauce adds more elegance (especially served in a silver bowl) and gives the meal a great steakhouse quality. It’s fancy enough to be the star of your Christmas dinner but easy enough to prepare on your busiest weeknight.

Beef Tenderloin & Creamy Horseradish Sauce:
For Sauce

• Whisk 1/4 c. creme fraiche in a small bowl until thickened, about 3 minutes.
• Stir in 1 tbsp. prepared horseradish* and 1 tsp. coarsely ground black pepper.**

For Beef

• Let a 1 1/2 lb. beef tenderloin sit at room temperature for an hour and generously season with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, melt 1 tbsp. canola oil and 2 tbsp. butter in a large heavy skillet until very hot.
• Sear beef on all four sides until deeply brown, about 2-3 minutes a side, then transfer to a baking sheet and place in a 400F oven.
• Cook the meat for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked to your liking.
• Let the meat rest for 15 minutes, then slice and serve with horseradish sauce.

Serves four - six

*Or more, depending on how spicy you like it.

**Sauce can be made a day ahead and kept covered in the fridge.