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SALT LAKE CITY -- Food for the Super Bowl is an absolute must. But does a party host offer snacks or a meal? Or a meal of snacks? Whatever it is, no front-room tailgate should be without five key items.
Buffalo Wings
No. 1 on the list is that delicacy developed in a bar in one of the United States’ ultimate football cities, wings — Buffalo wings. The first step to a great wing experience is to deep fry to crisp on the outside and moist on the inside, which will create gastronomic near-perfection. Next, smother in a sauce spiced to meet your personal taste. Infinitely variable, wings can be anything from slightly spicy to near-nuclear meltdown; it doesn’t get much better. The real key here, for any football fan and most certainly for the Super Bowl: don’t run out.
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Hot Dogs
Not number two in order of importance but simply next on the list is hot dogs. Hot dogs may bring to mind baseball, but the frankfurter is the all-American answer to any sporting event. In fact, eating hot dogs has become a sporting event in itself. They can be nirvana on a bun: a soft steamed roll, an all-beef wiener and a wide variety of fixin's. Some must-haves on the fixin’ list include mustard, from spicy brown to standard yellow; fresh onion; peppers; grated cheese; relish and anything else that strikes your fancy. Possibly the ultimate addition to a hot dog brings us to the next must-have offering.
Chili
Chili is absolutely a must at any tailgate-type function: heavy on the meat with tender beans, onions to taste and a warm and hearty tomato base, spiced to meet the collective taste of a group. I prefer heat at about the “oh, baby” level, but the choice is yours. Gotta have chili.
Chips
These recipes will score points at Super Bowl spreads
The big game is coming up and whether you actually watch the Super Bowl, it's always a great excuse to cook up a whole bunch of food that will make everyone's mouths water and stomachs growl. Here are a few ideas for Sunday.Next, chips, and not just any chips: thin, warm, lightly salted corn tortilla chips. With the chips the near-holy trinity of dips is required: fresh pico tomato salsa, smooth and buttery guacamole, and a warm and spicy queso. This trifecta allows for complete freedom in snacking.
Nachos
Where there are chips, chili and condiments for hot dogs, with just a bit of ingenuity guests can make nachos. Unlike the other foods listed, nachos are the ideal sharing snack. They can also provide for a bit of competition with a who-makes-the-best-nacho contest, always a viable option if the game ends up as a blowout and everyone needs something to occupy themselves in the last quarter.
Be aware these offerings are less than healthy. Fans may venture, briefly, into the realm of gluttony, but hey, it’s the Super Bowl.
Guy Bliesner is a longtime educator, having taught and coached tennis and swimming. He is school safety and security administrator for the Bonneville School District in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Guy has been married for 26 years and has three children.
