image courtesy Wikipedia
Did you wake up today craving the best carby, fatty foods for game day? I did! Yikes! It’s so interesting that you can be on one page one day and a completely different one the next………
Everyone who knows me knows I’m not the biggest pro football fan in the world at this stage in my life. My sports tastes run a little more toward tennis, lacrosse and basketball. But, still, the only sport you’ll find me watching on tv with any effort is tennis. In spite of this, I can appreciate the fervor applied to getting ready for today’s big game, and get caught up in the excitement and preparations, especially in the food department.
From an anthropological standpoint, I’ve come to appreciate the efforts the human race has made toward creating major-league diversions, some known as holidays, some purposely scheduled, in order to make certain times of the year pass by in a more accommodating fashion. That the Super Bowl occurs just at this time of year is, of course, because it is indeed at the end of the season, but it is a great excuse to schedule a big party to pass by yet another cold and dreary Winter weekend. Today’s weather seems to be cooperating – tomorrow is a different story. Lucky for all!
Weeks and weeks, and even years and years of preparations are undertaken for every such event. Other major diversional holidays and celebrations have evolved down through the ages as well, many pagan, religion-based or those formed around seasonal rights and markers. These include, my personal favorite, the iconic Carnevale in Venice (a post for another day), and, the more ubiquitous and Hallmark-variety, such as Valentine’s Day are just two that come to mind off the top of my head. Carnevale is the most intriguing to me – with the many around- the-world galas during which dressing, partying and fooding are of pivotal importance.
But today we spend the day honoring the culmination of the professional football season. As the season progresses and the best teams of the year emerge, food professionals and home cooks alike spend their waking hours and dreaming times working up new ideas for great, original, tasty, spicy, and most-importantly, satisfying, game food. That carbs and fat play a big role in the day just goes without saying. After all, you need some good carbs to soak up all the suds and other libations which tend to weave their way into the agenda (what? in the am too?).
Yesterday, I spent a good deal of my post defending the honor of New Jersey after observing various media portrayals of us as the wallflower courtesy-date. This was in light of the fact that we Garden Staters were playing second fiddle to the Big Apple venue across the river, even as we do all through the season of the “New York” Football Giants. We’re just used to getting dissed, I guess, in comparison to our next-door neighbor.
My defensiveness has passed today and I think the food should play front and center. How’s that for a couple of good metaphors?
Yesterday I listed out a few “step it up” ideas for party food. But when I awoke this morning I “reformed” myself and am now craving all the best carby, fatty foods you can muster – but on the healthier side, if that is possible. Here is just a little list to pick and choose from today for your perusal. I’m sure you already have your plans set, but just in case not, take a look:
Best Guac (Food 52)
http://food52.com/blog/9617-how-to-make-guacamole-without-a-recipe and Blue Whole Grain Chips(Food Should Taste Good)
Whole Grain Veggie Pizza – make your own dough! toppings suggested, garlic, shallots, green peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, goat cheese, roasted red peppers, olives – or your favorites!
whole grain pizza crust: photo courtesy the kitchen
http://www.thekitchn.com/indulge-more-often-5-whole-grain-pizza-crust-recipes-178263
Intense Pasta Primavera – add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 lb shrimp, if desired http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/pasta-primavera-recipe.html
Veggie Lasagna –
photo courtesy Healthy Meals by Joan Gray
http://hmjg.com/vegetarian-lasagna-with-goat-cheese-recipe/
Whole Grain Baguette Garlic Bread- split, rub with soft butter and lots of minced garlic, wrap in foil, bake @ 400F 15-20 min
a giant Caesar Salad – http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/geoffrey-zakarian/caesar-salad-recipe.html
and oh, yeah, Chocolate Cupcakes – I am ALWAYS in the mood for Chocolate Cupcakes (love them from Amy’s Bread on Bleecker St.)
try these:
Chocolate Cupcakes:
photo courtesy kwanster
http://kwanster.wordpress.com/2010/11/22/chocolate-cupcakes-with-best-chocolate-sour-cream-frosting/
I’m satisfied. 🙂
P.S. operating on two nights of 4 hours sleep, so this may not be the most coherent post ever 🙁 I’m way too old for the college-party scene