Simple Beats Fancy: Fun Super Bowl Party Foods Done In Blue and Red

The simplest foods are often the most fun to eat.  That's why we're not getting fancy this Sunday when we watch the NY Giants play the New England Patriots in the super bowl.  The teams' colors are red and blue - easy colors to 'do' in food.  Just toss a bag of blue corn chips around some salsa and you can root for either team, or both at once. The Packers aren't playing, so who cares?  Well, I know my New England-born husband will be cheering on the Patriots, so he'll get the kids rooting for the Patriots too.  But, to be honest, the kids are just hanging around for the food.  Super bowl snacking is their idea of a good meal!

Dave and Lauren thought one of my ideas for simple super bowl desserts was "awesome!". At our practice party, each poured either a red or blue bottle of kool-aid over some vanilla ice cream. They were HAPPY! For the adult version of this dessert, substitute blue curacao liquor or Leinenkugel's Red. You'll be HAPPY too. Go ahead and make it healthy, just toss some blueberries or raspberries over the top.

It's easy to bake a cake from a mix in a box.  If folks are really having fun they won't be guessing if your cake's made from scratch. I improve a mix's flavor by substituting melted butter for the healthy liquid oil the directions recommend.  Frost the cake with white icing into which you've stirred a few drops of blue or red food coloring. Then go all out and serve it with strawberry ice cream and blue moon ice cream. (Never heard of blue moon ice cream? It's a Wisconsin favorite. I haven't been to a Wisconsin ice cream counter that doesn't offer it. Boy is it blue! And kids love it!)

As for a "main course"? How about roast beef and Gorgonzola cheese on crusty sourdough bread?  That's pretty simple, and yummy.

You see how simple it all can be? Don't sweat your super bowl party. Relax, watch the game, enjoy your friends and family. Make it a real holiday!