The majority of us who will be glued to our tv sets on Sunday afternoon watching the Steelers pull the feathers out of the Seahawks will most likely be snacking on traditional game day foods - Buffalo wings, nachos, and perhaps a few large pizzas from Papa Domino Hut's. However, if you'd like to change it up a bit, we have some suggestions for party menus that go beyond the burger. All standard game day rules apply as far as food - mostly finger foods or small snackable items, not too messy, will be okay to stay on the cocktail table for the duration of the game, and of course, fairly easy to prepare in advance or in the few hours before.

While we wouldn't recommend setting up a full sushi bar in your living room, there are some great ways to turn your party Japanese for the big game. Start with Japanese beer - Asahi, Kirin, or Sapporo. Just don't let the boys do any sake-bombs.

• Edamame - a frozen bag of edamame at the market (many non-Asian markets carry them, too) costs about $2. You simply throw the frozen beans in boiling water, and when it comes back up to a boil count for 30 seconds, then drain. Sprinkle with sea or Kosher salt and serve at warm or at room temperature.
• Japanese or Asian chips and snacks - If you go into a Japanese or Asian grocery, stroll down their snack aisle and you will find a whole animated world of things that we don't usually have - shrimp flavored chips, sweet potato puffs, and those tiny fiery wasabi covered deep fried peas are awesome.
• Tempura - If you have good beer batter, use it - it's beer, for pete's sake. You can also make a tempura batter by whisking 1 c. flour with a pinch of salt and 1 c. soda or seltzer water. Dip shrimp and any vegetable from asparagus to zucchini in the batter. Deep fry over medium heat until light golden brown, drain, and keep warm in a 200 degree oven. Serve with dipping sauce made with 1 part soy sauce, 1 part rice wine (sake), 1 part water, and a pinch of sugar. 
• Yakitori and other skewered things - We often use the word "yakitori" when we mean any of the skewered and grilled things from the robata grill, but yakitori is actually only the chicken. Usually, the meats are skewered, brushed lightly with soysauce or sesame oil, then grilled. You can creative with flavors in the dipping sauces. My favorite things on a skewer - which are incredibly easy - are asparagus wrapped in thin slices of beef, or tiny cherry tomatoes wrapped in bacon.
• Maki sushi - Obviously, sushi is a great finger food, but to keep things easier to handle, serve maki sushi, or rolls. They're also much easier to make in bulk. We've done futomaki here, but like so many of the sushi bars out there, use your imagination (but always always always be careful when handling and eating raw fish at home).