It seems like almost every year in the past we've had a thread about Super Bowl feasts and festivities. I'm actually not nearly as excited about this SB as I usually am. While I root for the underdogs annually I just don't feel like the Eagles have that much of a shot.

But at any rate, my menu is a pretty simple one this year.

For snacks, Cream cheese with chives on crackers with smoked salmon.

My home made chili.

Like I said, I usually go with a little more varied and exciting menu but just not that fired up about it this year.

And your SB menu?

Our superbowl menu?

Left overs. Been to too many basketball games this week, (j.v. and v combined, it's been 13 games) which means eating out after the games. Plus, wife made spaghetti Wed.

I don't throw leftovers out. Plus, we bought subs from our church youth group.

I'll get to choose between l.o. beef quesadillas, l.o. chicken quesadillas, subs, l.o. spaghetti, l.o. chicken wings (boneless), l.o. chicken wrap.

It's party central time at the Arch household. We ARE having a party though. Me, wife, and Sooga. And Sooga, when she gets off work, will probably head to her room to do homework. Wife leaves at 10 for work, and I have a hard day tomorrow. Shouldn't be a long day, but it will be a hard day. I hope to be able to watch the end of the game.

First year I'm not hosting a party in a long time. Since I've got about 15 pounds to shed, I'm making buffalo cauliflower, garlic roasted mini portabella mushrooms and some turkey chili.

homemade chili and bite size dogs
chips and homemade salsa
white cheese dip
wings

nachos, ox roast, macaroni and cheese ... at least for now

I'm as exited as ever. Maybe moreso. For one, it's a chance to view history in real-time if the Pats win. Watching last year's Superbowl in real-time is something I can tell my grandkids about. Watching a rerun of an historical game and watching it real-time is way different. I'll watch today's game not knowing the score going in. That's important for the excitement factor.

I'm rooting for and fully expect the Pats to win this one. If so, Brady will have taken all the air out of the phrase, "One for the Thumb". It would now change to, "Two for the thumb, dilly dilly".

I don't understand the animosity toward the Pats. It reminds me of the Trump hate. It seems to have become the thing to do. Hate the Pats because they win. I see no sense in that coming from a football fan. The Pats aren't keeping anybody out of the Superbowl. If you want in then beat them. To each his own.

Anyway, on to the festive menu.

First, I prefer to watch football games alone. (You didn't actually think I was going to get to the point did you?) Worst place to watch a game is in a bar. Then, hosting a party. Then, at someone elses party. Then, having a few good friends over. Then, having one person other than my brother watching with me. I can't stand all the chatter, bitching and side shows that go on in a group. It's hard for me to focus on the game. Plus I like to rewind some plays to see what really happened.

I thought I said "On to the menu?!" The last few years I haven't focused much on the food aspect. As I've grown older my appetite has diminished. No longer do I look forward to scarfing down 12-15 chicken wings plus side dishes. These days 5-6 wings is enough, maybe a taste of coleslaw.

So today I'm making chili. Not too hot. Chili with 88 lbs. of ground meat and lots of crackers and iced tea. One bowl before the game, maybe none during and another bowl this evening. Oh, plus today I'm making corn bread to go along with it.

Go Pats! Make me a part of NFL history.

My chili, not so much.

It will just be my wife, daughter, son, his wife, and me this year. That's the way I like it. We always go big on food. My wife was on call yesterday, so I'm handling most of the cooking.

I'm grilling steaks and shirmp for dinner. I am also making Lobster Ravioli in olive oil w/tomatoes and parmesan cheese. We will eat that around 5:30.

I made Italian Wedding soup [actually, it's on the stove now.] People can eat this whenever they want.

I also am making a snack plate of various cheeses, fruits, salami, prosciutto, Italian bread, crackers, and a nice Mediterranean dip. My wife will make a sausage dip that is delicious and goes well w/Tortilla chips. We can snack on these before dinner and during the game.

It's kind of an all-day eating event. LOL

Dang, I might want to rethink my approach altogether. lol

I'm trying a wing recipe I came across where you parboil the wings for a few minutes before baking. It claims to make wings with crispier skin.

https://www.fifteenspatulas.com/crispy-baked-chicken-wings-yup-no-deep-fryer-in-sight

Also some Nathan's hot dogs on the grill, and a veg tray with ranch dip. Maybe some tortilla chips and salsa as an appetizer.

Probably a beer or two and maybe a shot of BV, too.

You might try broiling them instead of baking. That’ll really crisp them up.

That's quite a bit of meat. How big is the pot?

Must be a block party, a really big block.

I might have to use a 55gal drum for the 88 lbs of beef. lol

I just meant that it will have loads of meat. I don't always do that but today I feel like having two bites of meat with each bite of chili.

Headed over to the neighbors with the fam for a Super Bowl Party.

There will be about 20 or so people with everyone bringing something. A bit of smorgasbord.

I want to eat at Vers house!!!

Spicy bbq wings, wife making her cannelloni (spelling?), chips, beer and screwdrivers.

Phillips or slotted?

We are having mini-sliders with cold cuts, several cheeses, some dip, beer, and "goop." It is simple: Melted Mex cheese mix, some crushed tomatoes, some Pace picante, and some spicy Bob Evans sausage. We eat it with a mix of Dorito chips. Hot and tasty. We also have a bunch of raw veggies and salad, added as a later nod to healthy out of shame. Our SB habits are to graze through the game rather than a big deal sit down. My wife hates "the Patsies." She is happier rooting against them. Good eats, Dawgs! The menu is better than the matchup this year in our opinion. Smells good already!

He was asked the obvious question:"So, Arch, dude, why so much?"

"Well. I like iced tea."

Enjoy. Sounds perfect!

I had a grilled cheese sandwich.

Shrug.

I made nachoes, chicken burritos and material to make tacos and everyone was more thankful for the beer haha.

Nothing fancy but it turned out good.

I made a Taco Soup.

We are going to need that recipe, please. Sounds like 4-or-5-way chili (chili, cheese, onions, diced tomato, sour cream, etc).

How do you get the soup to stay in the shell?

It takes me back to a book of short stories written by Steve Martin, my favorite story was titled, “How To Fold Soup”.

Cruel Shoes

That was the book!

The quickie reply

2 packs low sodium taco seasoning
3 lbs chuck
lg can crushed tomatos
lg can Mexican corn
can of beans...maybe 2 if you like beans, maybe none if you don't
1 bottle taco sauce...I go mild...people can add hot sauce if they wish
1 large white onion diced
Corn chips
Cilantro chopped
2 tbs sugar to sweeten a bit
I add a large can of mushroom pieces...that is optional. All in my family like mushrooms
Shredded Mexican cheese blend.

Cook and drain beef, add taco seasoning, mix well, add the other stuff, except chips and cheese, add water to cover, bring to boil, then simmer covered a hour or so

Add anything else you want.....chili powder, garlic,cumin, red pepper, etc.

Don't add salt at this point. You add crushed corn chips and the cheese the the bowl at the end. The crushed chips usually bring the salt level to perfect.

Try a small bowl before serving....check it out, then maybe add salt if desired. My theory is just add more chips to the soup.

Thank you sir. Sounds good.

One thing I think is worthy of note and your suggestion about the salt is dead on the money. It takes a fraction of the salt to reach the desired flavor after cooking than it does during cooking. It's always better and takes far less salt if you add it after your food has been cooked.

The recipe sounds great Peen. I'm a huge fan of chicken tortilla soup myself.

thanks for the great recipe! Since I am going low-carb, I'm going to try this without the beans and using some crushed pork rinds instead of the corn chips. maybe leave out the corn as well.

That could be good...I love pork skins.

Taco soup is legit ... I love that and Chicken Tortilla

I would have never suspected you of doing drive by's.