Superbowl Sunday

If you're hosting this year's Superbowl party try giving it your own touch with some simple snacks instead of buying a bag of chips and having wings delivered like every other party on the block. The recipes below will serve about 4 people, so just adjust the amount of everything for how many people you'll be having over.

We're going to start off with some guacamole and chips. Here's what you'll need:

4 ripe avocados
1/2 red onion, chopped
1 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped
lime juice (I use a couple tablespoons, use as much as you want depending on your taste)
fresh cilantro leaves, chopped (again, use as much as you want depending on taste. remember, cilantro can have a strong taste so start with a little and add as you feel necessary)
salt & pepper
and tortilla chips of course

First you'll need to peel the avocados, cut them in half and dig the pit out. After that chop it up into small pieces. Now mix the avocados, onion, jalapeno and lime juice in your serving dish to a chunky consistency. Season with the salt, pepper and cilantro to taste, get out the chips and eat.

Now if you really want to impress everybody, you can make your own chips as well. Here's what you'll need for that:

Frying pan with high sides
Peanut oil
12 flour tortillas
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon kosher salt

Put about 2 inches of peanut oil in the pan and heat till about 360 degrees. If you don't have a thermometer, just give it 3-4 minutes on medium high heat and that should be hot enough. While the oil is heating, cut the tortillas into quarters. Now fry the tortillas in batches until they're a light golden brown. Have a plate with a couple pieces of paper towel laid on it ready. You'll need to set the tortillas on this after coming out of the oil to soak up the excess. Immediately season with the cumin and salt and you're all set.

Now, of course, chips and guac aren't going to get you through the whole night. These mini burgers are very quick and easy and are always a party favorite. You'll need:


I lb ground chuck
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
8 (3 inch) buns or rolls
3 tablespoons mayo
favorite burger toppings


Mix the meat with the onion powder, garlic powder, pepper and salt in a large bowl until everything is evenly mixed in with the ground chuck. You'll then want to make 8 equally sized patties. wrap the buns in foil in put in the oven at 350 for 5-10 minutes. Meanwhile, cook the patties on a griddle or frying pan for 2-3 minutes per side. Once the buns are done spread a small amount of mayo on each one and top with the burgers and whatever else you want.

Having some big eaters over? Well everybody loves wings so here's a simple recipe for some hot wings that everybody should enjoy.

3 dozen drummettes
25 ounces ketchup ( usually a little less than a full bottle)
4 tablespoons cayenne pepper
4 tablespoons garlic powder
4 tablespoons cajun seasoning
2 cups balsamic vinegar
1 1/4 cup soy sauce
1 1/3 cup Worcestershire sauce
4 tablespoons white pepper

Cook wings on grill, broiler, deep fryer, baking sheet or however you want according to packages instructions. While wings are cooking mix all other ingredients in a pan and simmer for a few minutes, stirring until everything is mixed well. Once wings are done dip in sauce and serve.

If you're new to cooking, you probably won't have many of these seasonings so you'll be buying most of them on your first trip to the store. Don't be frightened by how much the grocery bill is your first couple trips. Once you start getting all the different spices and what not that you need, you'll find that most meals will be very inexpensive