Super Bowl Pigskin Burger

The Super Bowl’s over, but the calories linger on. After the big game, I watched this video in horrified fascination. Most memorable line: “You know it’s good when you need to take a shower after you eat it.” I don’t cook like this, Dollinks, but I have to admit, these guys are fun!  xox  Nicole 

All-Day Cassoulet

It’s Super Bowl weekend! This post and the ones below offer a whole slew of make-ahead snack and dinner ideas to feed the gang! 

Talk about convenience with this easy dish! Slice and chop everything the day before and set it into your oven or slow cooker on Super Bowl Sunday! The time you spend in the kitchen couldn’t get any simpler!
                             
                              This recipe can be made in a slow cooker

All-Day Cassoulet:

1-½ lb. (750 g) Polish sausage (I used kielbasa), sliced in ¼-in. rounds (see Note)
Two 14-oz. (398 mL) cans beans with pork
One 19-oz. (540 mL) can kidney beans, drained
One 14-oz. (398 mL) canned (drained) or frozen (uncooked) lima beans
3 c. shredded, strong Cheddar cheese
¾ c. combined chopped red, green, and yellow bell peppers
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
One 10-oz. (284 mL) can condensed tomato soup
¼ c. golden corn syrup
1-¼ tsp. pepper
1-¼ tsp. powdered mustard

Combine all ingredients in greased 4 qt. (4L) casserole or slow cooker, stirring after each ingredient’s addition. Cover and bake at 225 deg. F. in oven or on low setting in slow cooker for 8-to-9 hr. Serves 10.

Note: No need to remove the casing from this sausage. It’s edible.

Polish sausage ... You'll want lots!

Beans! Add three different types

Shred about 3 c. sharp Cheddar

Chop 1/4 of a green pepper ...

The same goes for red and yellow peppers, too.

Chop onion coarsely

After 8 or 9 hr. cooking, mixture is mouth-wateringly good! 

Ready when you are: This All-Day Cassoulet is sensational!

Fiesta Nachos

Snack, snack, snack, snack … That’s what football’s all about, right? Um … no. At $4 million for a 30-second TV commercial, it’s all about advertising. Regardless, here and in the posts that follow are some make-ahead Super Bowl Sunday appetizers!

Fiesta Nachos:

8 oz. (250 g) cottage cheese
8 oz. (250 g) cream cheese, softened
1 oz. (35 g) taco seasoning mix (see Note)
Shredded iceberg lettuce (also called “head” lettuce), diced tomatoes, grated cheese, chopped green onion, sliced black olives (drained and blotted dry)
Nacho chips, as needed (see Further Note)

In wide-based blender or food processor, combine cottage and cream cheeses with taco seasoning until smooth. Line a small bowl with plastic wrap. Spoon mixture into bowl, pressing down evenly. Cover and refrigerate several hours or overnight. Unmold onto large serving plate, garnishing top and sides with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, green onion, and black olives. Serve with a bowl of nacho chips.

Note: Make your own Taco Seasoning Mix! You’ll find the recipe in the post below.

Further Note: Tortilla Chips also complement this recipe well. To make your own, see the recipe a couple of posts below this one.

Football Fever!

Billed as “an event of epic proportions,” Super Bowl XLVII is coming to a television set near you on Sunday, February 3! The spectacle will have (almost) all the guts and glory of ancient Rome, except for a bigger Colosseum, a bigger audience, and a much bigger chance of staying alive as the Baltimore Ravens gear up to bash the San Francisco 49ers and vice-versa. 

Unlike ancient Rome, there will be no (Detroit) Lions, no (Cleveland) Tigers, and definitely no (Mumbai) Gladiators (see Note). 

In honor of the Super Bowl, the recipes I’ve blogged below - a Lady Baltimore Cake and San Francisco Fudge Foggies - are both winners! Tomorrow, I’ll have three make-ahead savory dips and a great nacho snack for the huddle at half-time. I’ll also have two make-ahead main courses to serve a crowd without breaking the bank. Are you and your apron ready? On Super Bowl Sunday, I’m taking the day off to watch the big game!

Note: Ah, the Mumbai Gladiators! See the wonderful New York Times online feature dated December 5, 2012. You’ll find it at 

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/05/sports/football/pro-football-makes-a-play-for-india.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

Trust me, Dollinks! This story reads like the movie it’s bound to become. Go team, go!

Censor’s warning! The contents of the adult video below may offend some (blah-blah-blah-blah) ... You know the rest.