Easy Entertaining for Beginners

Superbowl 44 will be played at Dolphin Stadium in Miami, Florida on Sunday, February 7, 2010. The Superbowl is a great excuse to plan a fun get-together with your friends. Superbowl entertaining is a casual gig and there is plenty of time to plan a party for the big day. Try some of these ideas for entertaining:

1. Set up a snack table and ask your guests to each bring one of their favorite all-time snacks.
2. Set up a buffet table and cover it with artificial turf from a home improvement store. Purchase disposable party goods & streamers in your favorite team’s colors.
3. Have coolers/containers filled with ice and cold drinks for your guests to minimize trips to the refrigerator.
4. Serve chili or stew in a large crock pot. Prepare your main entree the day before and re-heat the day of your party. If serving chili, have plenty of toppings such as cheddar cheese, chopped jalapenos, cilantro, onions, sour cream. Crumbled goat cheese is also a delicious, tart topping that balances out the spiciness of the chili. A handful of corn chips at the bottom of each bowl adds crunch and zest to the chili. Offer bratwursts and guests can top those with chili.
5. Guests never tire of delicious dips. Serve a selection of hot and cold dips with chips, pita chips, crusty bread, bread sticks, veggies, etc. Try these recipes:

• Purchase hummus dip and add a few drops of fresh lemon juice and a teaspoon of chopped fresh parsley and serve with baked pita chips.

• Crab Dip – 1 cup mayo, 3 tablespoons prepared horseradish, ¼ cup finely chopped shallots, 12 ozs. crab meat, 1 teasp. Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper to taste. Mix and serve with crudités, crackers, and bread sticks.

• Queso Fundido Fondue: In saucepan, mix ½ cup beer with 2 tablespoons flour and heat. Add 16 ozs. shredded Monterrey Jack cheese to melt. Add 1 finely chopped jalapeno, 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro and serve in fondue pot with tortilla chips.