"super bowl party" news and stories

A few of the best Super Bowl links on the Web this week:

• At a loss for what to serve? Check out these recipes for Sunday, from soup to nuts.
• Your pants will thank you Monday morning if you tweak a few of the usual leaden apps for less caloric impact.
• Perk up your party with signature drinks, decorations and snacks that really extend the game-day theme.
• Don't get caught with sub-par chips and salsa: Let our taste test be your guide.
• See what your favorite celeb chefs like to nosh on while watching the game.

Each Thursday, we round up a selection of scrumptious links from our friends over at YumSugar. Here's what they've got cooking this week:

• Hot sauce is as Super Bowl as a platter of wings.
• Coach Brown's Buffalo wings are hotter than the big game's commercials.
• Coca-Cola is going for the gold in Olympic carbon neutrality.
• Cellaring wine and beer is common, but do you cellar salt?
• Save some of the nacho cheese and beer for this game-day dish.
• Can affordable Stonemill Kitchens spreads and dips score a touchdown?
• We recommend playing mini-football with your saved corks.

Admit it. When it comes to watching football games on television, you'd rather uncork a bottle of red wine than sip a micro beer. Yet a bag of chips trumps the thought of a fussy four-course meal. That's where we can help. This Sunday's Super Bowl festivities can definitely embrace both wine and traditional game-day snacks. Here are some pairing tips.

There isn't a Super Bowl party out there that won't have a cheesy, creamy dip within the food spread. In terms of matching it with a wine, think bold and robust – like a bottle of Australian Shiraz, Napa Cabernet or Sonoma County Zinfandel. But if whites are your weakness, a dip containing sharp cheddar, Derby or Gruyère will pair just as well with a Sauvignon Blanc. Goat cheese is a popular dip ingredient, and a glass of Chardonnay is a fantastic partner.

With a bag of chips, turn to Riesling, often a favorite pick with Indian and Thai foods. The wine will cut through the salt and spice nicely. Tortilla chips flavored with lime or lemon need a high-acid white to compete with their intensity; we suggest Sauvignon Blanc, Sancerre, Torrontés or Roussanne. A light-bodied red wine – such as Pinot Noir or Beaujolais – is a great selection for salted, roasted or candied nuts. If there are wings at the party, or any kind of barbecued meat, a Malbec or Zinfandel will complement those flavors.

• Pinot gris can be like that nice guy you once dated -- solid, safe, but a little...dull. It might be time to have an affair.
• "Fat, salt and crunch should always be invited to a Super Bowl party." Pass the pigskins.
• Going to Vancouver? While the Olympians are busy competing, you can get down to some serious eating.
• Public health versus the perfect cocktail: Some bartenders have egg on their faces.
• Recipes for coming in from the cold include warm Caesar salad, porchetta, molten blue cheese dip and more.
• For more than 30 years, the Midtown spot Aretsky's Patroon has been known for its service, style and steak -- and rightly so.
  

We've been talking about Super Bowl food all week long, but we haven't said a peep about how to pull your viewing party together. But you weren't worried, because you know that here at Slashfood, we always come through for you! Our talented and intrepid Sarah J. Gim worked her fingernails down to nubs, creating an amazing and useful guide all about How to Throw a Super Bowl Party over on Mahalo.

She's got tips on who to invite, how to make invitations (although by this point, email is probably your best bet), how to create a festive feeling in your home (decorating with your team's colors is never a bad idea), ways to create clear viewing areas (she specifically suggests setting up multiple televisions) and lots of menu planning advice.

So go forth, read her helpful tips and plan a fantastic Super Bowl party!

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