Are YOU Ready for Some FOOTBALL??

Most girls (AKA my readers) aren't so into football. It's the honest truth. There are some gals that are real, true football fans but let's be honest, they are the minority! I, over the last 7 years have grown to enjoy it a lot more, due to the fact that I can actually figure out what is going on during the game. But for the most part, there are a few things that I enjoy more than the actual game:

1. Booze before, during and after the game.
2. The food before, during and after the game.
3. Muscular men in really tight pants (this is even better in person on the sidelines!)

But most of the time when it's Superbowl time, us ladies not so big fans will act like we like it watch the game with the boys. And actually enjoy yourself for the most part (please don't bring up the excruciating loss of the Bears in the 2006 Superbowl. PLEASE!)

We are going to be STL anxiously awaiting our super early morning flight to MEXICO on Superbowl Sunday so can't really partake in the awesome house parties that will litter DSM so am more than happy to oblige you with what I WOULD have made if I were town. It also happens to go along with Rachel's newest PROJECT TASTELESS contest:

Don't get me wrong, I love a good game at bar. Really I am down for anything that food and booze are part of. I usually start out the day meaning well:

The hubby and I on our first drink during opening weekend in Iowa City rooting on our Hawkeyes!

But will then most of time linger in dangerous territory:



Does anyone know this stranger?

Eventually doing something so scandalous I should be arrested:

Clearly more beer is needed. Clearly.

But house/basement/garage parties are my absolute faves as you can just fall asleep when you need to:

Big boobs aren't just for breaking your back anymore!

That being said a nice house party would normally be right up my alley and I would come with crock pot and box of wine case of beer in tow! This year my new fave is a recently devised:

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Soup!!

This recipe was dreamt of one hungover Sunday afternoon when the snow was falling and I was craving hot wings with ranch dressing but couldn't/wouldn't drive out into the Arctic tundra that randomly hits the Des Moines area: It's super simple, pretty low calorie, AND smashes the chicken wing craving!

Ingredients

• 1 cup each: diced onion, celery and carrots
• 3 T dry ranch seasoning mix (3 packets)
• 2T minced garlic
• 4 C milk
• 4 C water w/ 3 chicken bouillon cubes (can substitute 4 cans broth if have that)
• 1 lb chicken breast, leave as whole breasts or cut into bigger chunks
• 1 C Frank's Red Hot sauce (more to taste)
• 1 C sour cream

 Directions

• Put all ingredients (except sour cream) in crock pot, cook on high for 4-6 hours, take out chicken breasts and shred with forks. Put back in.
• Add sour cream 30 minutes before eating.  
• EAT!

Makes 9-ish 2 cup servings. I toasted and seasoned some oyster crackers (1/4 C oil w/ ranch seasoning packet) and topped with that.



Chicken is in there somewhere!



GAME ON!!!

TOUCHDOWN!!

Always good to wash it down with an ice cold brewski!

There it folks...the recipe you've all been asking for! Seriously, make it. It serves a crowd and if its just you and your sweet lover SUPER FAN, it reheats up real nice like for an entire week full of lunches!

And remember, if the party outscores you...there are only two real hangover cures:

Get to your nearest bloody mary and drink immediately.

End the day in the hot tub with your bestie.

Recipes...Tried and True!

I recently made two new recipes and I thought that I would share with you! Both turned out fairly well and both were easy to make; both done within about an hour and half, most of that waiting(as you'll see or cooking time).

Super Moist and Very Easy Banana Bread: The Big Batch

Ingredients:

• 8-9 overly ripe bananas, the browner the better in my opinion
• 1 stick butter, melted
• 1 1/2 C sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 3 cups flour

Directions:

1. Smash bananas. I do this with my hands.
2. Mix in melted butter into bananas.
3. Add in eggs and sugar.
4. Add in vanilla, salt, and soda.
5. Gradually add in flour.
6. Put into greased pans.
7. Bake at 350 for 45-ish minutes.

I used 6 small pans so I could take 2 to work, my family's Thanksgiving, and the in-law's Thanksgivings. I also like to use the small pans because if not everyone likes the flavor of bread, you can freeze the other remaining loaf or pack it up and take elsewhere rather than toting along a already cut into loaf of bread. If you do the bigger pans, increase the cooking time to an hour. You could also do muffins and I would say probably 20-30 minutes would be good. Add chocolate chips or nuts of choice and these would be awesome still. Lots of possibilities here!

Next up was an adaptation of something I buy all too frequently in the store in single sized but overpriced portions for the husband: Planter's Heat Peanuts. Don't get me wrong, I can buy him some of his fave snacky snacks, but I wanted to see if I could buy a huge thing of peanuts and just make them myself for pennies compared to $1 a tube! This is the recipe I used from a PDF recipe book I received via email like ages ago that has all the "copy cat" recipes from restaurants, brands, etc.:

Mock Planter's Heat Cashews

Ingredients:

• 2 cups hulled raw peanuts (or almonds, pecans, etc.) I used cashews.
• 3 teas. Worcestershire sauce
• 1−2 Tbls. liquid smoke
• 2 Tbls. butter
• 2 teas. distilled white vinegar
• 2 teas. hot pepper sauce
• 3/4 teas. salt
• 1/8 teas. cayenne pepper

Directions:

1. Line jelly roll pan with foil.
2. Toss nuts with liquid smoke and Worcestershire sauce and let marinate for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 325F. I used 350 because of the above bread!
4. Melt butter in heavy large skillet over med−low heat. Cool slightly.
5. Stir in vinegar, hot sauce, salt, and cayenne. Return skillet to heat.
6. Scrape in nuts and marinade.
7. Stir to coat nuts, about 30 seconds.
8. Return nut mixture to jelly roll pan. Bake until deep golden brown, stirring at times, about 20 min.
9. Transfer pan to rack to cool. Nuts will crisp as they cool.
10. Store in an air tight container.

These came out more smoky flavored than the fiery hot like the Heat nuts. When I make them again, I will add more of the hot pepper sauce and less liquid smoke and cook them low and slow. I will have to follow up.
I did however mix them with some white cheddar popcorn after work and that was AMAZE! Those boy scouts can really make some righteous popcorn!
Stay tuned for more recipes to come in the following weeks, I mean I'm trying 3 different sweet potato recipes on Turkey Day!!!