In general, I’m not one to write holiday-themed blogs or recipes. Most holiday food comes across as cheesy and inauthentic: heart-shaped cookies and lots of red food coloring for Valentine’s day; eyeballs and severed fingers and candy corn for Halloween; red, white, and blue for the 4th of July. I’m sorry, it’s just not my thing.
And then there’s the Super Bowl. I’m a little astonished by my enthusiasm for the day, considering that I don’t particularly like football. But you know what I do like? The Puppy Bowl. And clever commercials. And lazy Sunday afternoons. And most importantly, I love SNACKS. Especially snacks that are bad for you, such as: pizza, nachos, wings, chips, dips, etc. I love it all. Granted, I don’t often indulge my junk food cravings. I usually eat whole and healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, rice, and organic and free range meat. But this is my one day a year that I throw out all of my food rules. I allow myself to eat junk food. I’m not gonna lie, I look forward to this day every year. I especially look forward to devouring handfuls of Salsa Verde Doritos (they are my most favorite of all the guilty pleasures).
In light of my love for Super Bowl snacks, I thought I’d share a couple of my favorite snack and appetizer recipes. (I’ve even included a few healthy – and vegan! – options, for those who would like to enjoy lighter fare during the big game.)
Enjoy! And go Blazers! (Get it? Because I don’t like football…)
Sriracha and White Bean Dip from Rosemarried
FRIDAY FAVORITES: SUPERBOWL SNACKS (ON SNACKS ON SNACKS):
Sriracha and White Bean Dip – My own recipe (and one of my all-time favorite dips). Spicy, easy, delicious.
Lemon Basil Hummus – My own recipe. Vegan, vibrant, and full of flavor. Would go great with pita chips and/or veggies.
Avocado Tomatillo Salsa – Chef Kelly Myers from Xico’s recipe for a fresh, bright, and tangy salsa. No cooking required, just throw everything in a blender and you’ve got salsa!
Garlicky Party Bread – from The Smitten Kitchen. Looks so good (and yet, so bad for you).
Ike’s Fish Sauce Wings – Portland Monthly Magazine was kind enough to share the recipe for Pok Pok’s famous (and insanely delicious) chicken wings.
Creamy Brussels Sprout and Shallot Dip – by The Minimalist Baker. I’ve made this recipe several times, and it always delivers. I prefer this dip to spinach artichoke dip.
Vegan ‘Tuna’ Stuffed Piquillo Peppers – from Mary Eats. My friend Mary is an inspiration. She is very dedicated to a healthy and mostly plant-based diet — and she managed to create an amazing (and healthy) Super Bowl recipe. Mad props to her. (Granted, Vegan Tuna does sound a little scary at first, but as I read the recipe and saw the ingredients I changed my mind. This sounds awesome.)
Guacamole – by 101 Cookbooks. I’m obsessed with Heidi’s avocado dip with mustard seeds, serrano chilies, and curry powder — but I do not believe that recipe is online. (It can be found in her Super Natural Every Day cookbook and I highly recommend it). I’ve not tried this guacamole recipe yet, but if it’s anything like her avocado and mustard dip, it’ll be nothing short of amazing.
Stilton & Shallot Paté – recipe from Ramson’s & Bramble. I think this is just a fancy way of saying “Blue Cheese Dip”. Whatever it is, I want to eat it.
I LOVE your sriracha and white bean dip! I’ve made it more times than I can count.
Going with your love of salsa verde Doritos, I suggest making a batch of tomatillo salsa (maybe your avocado version would work) and dipping regular Doritos in it.
Happy snacking!
oh, that’s a great idea, Kris! Really, I just love chips and dip, in most any form. ;)
I also try to eat healthy. But at times slip and endulge in junk food. The next morning I almost always have a food hangover. It usually lasts a day and sometimes two. But do I learn from my over indulgence and not do it again? Absolutely not. So I will be thinking of you Monday when you are sure to have a food hangover.
You’re totally right! I will probably feel lousy tomorrow and will vow to never eat junk food again. (But, I’ll totally give in and eat junk food again someday).
Yum, I am a great snack lover and often enjoy a “snacking” dinner when we eat veggie sticks, dips, salami, and so on. I clicked through to the “pate” and the Brussels sprouts dip – they both sound amazing.