Super Bowl Party Decorating Tips

Super Bowl is this Sunday and it's time to start thinking of how you will be decorating your party area  for game day.  Below are a couple of pictures from last years Super Bowl.  We kept it simple, using streamers, balloons, and decorative stars in the colours of the teams (New England Patriots and New York Giants).  Note: I'm not American but these decorations would have been perfect for Independence Day as well.

Remember, you don't need to go all out for your Super Bowl party, just be unique with what you do choose to decorate with.  For instance, try and think of fun and interesting ways to present your food and drinks - this is what will catch the eyes of your fans most, then the game, right? :P
 

Now for some of my favourite Super Bowl decorating pics I've come across on the Internet...

Redesign Revolution

Redesign Revolution

Anatomy of a Dinner Party

Redesign Revolution

Crafts Unleashed

Tiny Prints

Anatomy of a Dinner Party

Celebrate and Decorate

Tiny Prints

Crafts Unleashed

Celebrations

Anatomy of a Dinner Party

Redesign Revolution

Crafts Unleashed

Redesign Revolution

Vesna ♥

Super Bowl Desserts

I know football lovers may disagree with me, but it's dessert that will grab your guests attention, not the big game!  OK, ok, maybe they will receive equal attention ;P

Below are a couple of desserts I've made for our Super Bowl parties. Look further to find some of my favourites on the Internet.

Alright, these I actually made for Grey Cup 2012, but it's our version of the Super Bowl! lol

I made these a couple of years ago for a Buffalo Bills game but you can design based on the teams competing at Super Bowl.

Here are my Internet favourites:

CAKES

Babble

Donna Belle Desserts

CUPCAKES

Redesign Revolution

Cupcake Post

Sugarcraft

Attention to Detail

cfbsection.com

Babble

Jeanne Benedict

COOKIES

Redesign Revolution

Sugar Loco

Desserted Planet

Brown Eyed Baker

BROWNIES

Desserted Planet

CHOCOLATES

Debs Blog Spot

Babble

CHOCOLATE-COVERED STRAWBERRIES

Calligraphy by Jennifer

RICE KRISPIE TREATS

Jeanne Benedict

Desserted Planet

DESSERT DIP

Crazy for Crust

ICE CREAM SANDWICH

Desserted Planet

POPCORN

U Create

Vesna ♥

Recipe: Super Bowl Chili

Super Bowl is only weeks away and it's time to start thinking of what you're going to serve your guests for game day.  Chili is the most popular dish and I highly recommend my home-made recipe below:

CHILI

     

Get 3 cans of diced tomatoes 28 fl. oz. (796ml) and 2 cans of red kidney beans 19 fl. oz. (540ml) simmering in a large pot on low heat.

In a large frying pan (preferably cast iron skillet), cook all ingredients before adding to pot.

At medium to high heat, fry 3 lbs. of lean ground beef 1 lb. at a time.  Break beef up finely, and as soon as all pink has disappeared, mix in 1 packet of Old El Paso chili seasoning per lb.  Add to pot and stir.

In the same pan, heat 1 tbsp. of olive oil.  Dice 2 large white onions into small squares and finely chop 2 tbsp. garlic and add to pan.  Stir-fry until onions turn translucent.  Add to pot and stir.

Heat 1 tbsp. of olive oil again.  Dice 2 large red peppers into small squares and finely chop 2 jalapeno peppers and add to pan. Stir-fry until peppers lose crispness.  If using a cast iron skillet, fry peppers until they just start to blacken on the edges for a more “roasted” flavor.  Add to pot and stir.

Heat 2 tbsp. of butter in pan.  Slice 32 oz. (908 g) of button mushrooms and fry until they just start to brown.  While cooking mushrooms, sprinkle about 2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce over them.  Add to pot and stir.

Now, all you have to do is let all the flavors blend. The longer the better! 

The lowest setting on your stove might still be hot enough to burn the chili at the bottom so you can put a wire spacer under the pot.  Keeping a lid on the pot will help to maintain the chili’s moisture.  If you find the chili too wet, you can always take the lid off to let it evaporate.  This is a good method to control the consistency.  STIR FREQUENTLY, and after a few hours have a taste - you can add whatever you think might be missing.

Put out a big bowl of shredded cheese and jalapeño peppers for people to add. 

Serve with buttered white bread or buns.

Vesna ♥

Recipe: Cheesy Orzo

Mmmmm...comfort food.  Serve it at your next party, it's delicious and is especially a hit with the kids!

Cheesy Orzo
Rachel Ray

Ingredients:
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan
• 1/2 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 cans (14 ounces) chicken or vegetable broth or stock
• 2 cups orzo pasta (enriched rice may be substituted)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano or Romano
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

Preheat an 8-inch pot with a tight-fitting cover over moderate heat.  Add oil, onion, and garlic and saute for 2 or 3 minutes.  Add broth to the pan and bring to a boil. Stir in orzo and return broth to a boil.  Cover pot and reduce heat to simmer.  Cook 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until liquid is absorbed and pasta tender.  Remove lid and stir in cheese.  Season with salt and pepper to your taste.  Your favourite fresh herbs may also be stirred into the orzo or rice to strengthen the flavor.

Enjoy!!!

♥ Vesna ♥

Recipe: Bucatini All'Amatriciana

Are you having a dinner party and don't know what to serve?  Below is a recipe for Bucatini All'Amatriciana (via Epicurious).  I am a huge fan of Italian food so, naturally, it is something that I recommend.  Trust me, you are going to love it! 

Bucatini All'Amatriciana

Ingredients:

• 2 tbls. extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 oz. thinly sliced guanciale, pancetta, or chopped unsmoked           bacon
• 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 3/4 cup minced onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• One 28 oz. can peeled tomatoes with juices, crushed by hand
• Kosher salt
• 12 oz. dried bucatini or spaghetti
• 1/4 cup finely grated Pecorino (about 1 ounce)

Preparation:

Heat oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Add guanciale/pancetta/unsmoked bacon and sauté until crisp and golden (about 4 minutes). Add pepper flakes and black pepper; stir for 10 seconds. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring often, until soft (about 8 minutes). Add tomatoes, reduce heat to low, and cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens, 15-20 minutes.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season with salt; add the pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until 2 minutes before al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup of pasta cooking water.

Add drained pasta to sauce in skillet and toss vigorously with tongs to coat. Add 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water and cook until sauce coats pasta and pasta is al dente (about 2 minutes). Add a little pasta water if sauce is too dry.  Stir in cheese and transfer pasta to warmed bowls

♥ Vesna ♥

Roasting Pumpkin Seeds

If you're carving pumpkins in the next couple of days like I am, you will want to make sure to save those seeds!  Most people are unaware of how to prepare seeds for roasting.  The most important thing to do (that most people don't do), is to remove the shells from the pumpkin seeds.  This is definitely time consuming, but well worth it.

1.  Rinse seeds in a strainer with warm running water.

2.  Lay the seeds out flat on a cookie sheet (note: do not lay them down on a paper towel as the seeds will stick to it when it dries).  It will take a day or two to completely dry.

3.  Remove the shells from all the pumpkin seeds (this is absolutely necessary for this special recipe - it could take a day or two as well, depending on how much time you can dedicate).

4.  Preheat oven at 350ºF.

5.  Very lightly, coat all the seeds with oil and salt.

6.  Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until they start to brown.

Enjoy!

♥ Vesna ♥