When you think Superbowl party, you usually picture a bunch of guys lounging on the couch in front of a big flat-screen TV, with beer, pizza and hot wings a plenty. For the party-planning lover like me, there is no fun in that. But I do enjoy a good sports viewing party nonetheless. So here's a way to celebrate the Superbowl in style.
The Food:
Football-shaped Gingerbread Cookies
Ingredients:
6 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup shortening, melted and cooled slightly
1 cup molasses
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup water
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
Sift together the flour, baking powder, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon; set aside.
In a medium bowl, mix together the shortening, molasses, brown sugar, water, egg, and vanilla until smooth. Gradually stir in the dry ingredients, until they are completely absorbed. Divide dough into 3 pieces, pat down to 1 1/2 inch thickness, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters. Place cookies 1 inch apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven. When the cookies are done, they will look dry, but still be soft to the touch. Remove from the baking sheet to cool on wire racks. When cool, the cookies can be frosted with vanilla icing.
* The cookies will turn out to be light brown in colour but if you'd like them to look more like an actual football, add a drop of red food dye to the batter.
Pigskins In A Blanket
Ingredients (Makes about 4 1/2 dozen):
2 pounds (about 60) mini hot dogs
Cheddar cheese, cut into small pieces, optional
1 large egg
All-purpose flour, for work surface
1 box (17 1/2 ounces) frozen puff pastry, thawed
Poppy, sesame, or mustard seeds, optional
Mustard, for serving
Ketchup, for serving
Directions:
Cut hot dogs lengthwise 3/4 of the way through. Insert a piece of cheese or 1/2 teaspoon caramelized onions into each hot dog, if using; set aside. If not using cheese or onions, poke hot dogs several times with the tip of a knife.
On a lightly floured work surface, working with one sheet of puff pastry at a time, roll into a 14-by-11-inch rectangle. Cut lengthwise into seven 1 1/2-inch wide strips. Cut each strip crosswise into 4 rectangles, each about 3 1/2 inches long.
In a small bowl, beat together egg and 1 tablespoon water; set aside. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat; set aside. Place a hot dog on the narrow end of one piece of pastry. Roll to enclose, brushing with some of toeuvreshe beaten egg to adhere; transfer to prepared baking sheet. Repeat process with remaining hot dogs and pastry. Brush the tops of puff pastry with egg and sprinkle with seeds, if using. Transfer to refrigerator and let chill for 15 minutes.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Transfer baking sheets to oven and bake until puffed and golden, about 20 minutes. Let cool briefly before serving with mustard and ketchup.
* Top each hor d'oeuvre with a toothpick with a mini Steelers paper flag
The Drinks:
Steel Helmet Cocktail
Ingredients:
1 oz vodka
1 oz coffee liqueur
milk or cream to fill
Galliano liqueur
Directions:
Build the vodka, coffee liqueur and milk or cream in an old-fashioned glass.
Stir well. Float Galliano on top by slowly pouring it over the back of a bar spoon.
* This creamy cocktail goes great with the gingerbread cookies!
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