So maybe you don’t like going to crowded bars to watch football games. Maybe you want to watch Super Bowl 51 for Lady Gaga’s inevitably iconic halftime performance. Or maybe you don’t care about football at all and just want an excuse to eat garbage food and drink with your friends on a Sunday. Regardless, we see you, and we approve. Here are some Bushwick Daily-tested tailgate-worthy recipes to make your Super Bowl party memorable and scrumptious.
The slow cooker is an essential part of the culinarily-challenged chef’s arsenal. This pulled pork chili is perfect for when you want to make something spicy and savory but don’t have time to keep an eye on a hot stove for hours.
You will need:
2 pound boneless pork shoulder roast
1 small onion, diced
2 gloves garlic, minced
1 – 2 jalapeno peppers, diced (ribs and seeds removed)
1 (15oz) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
2 (15oz) cans diced tomatoes
1 (8oz) can tomato sauce
2 teaspoons chili powder1 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon dried cilantro (regular cilantro works too!)
8 oz Mexican beer OR chicken broth (I used Tecate)
This recipe is fantastic because you literally put all the ingredients in your slow cooker and leave it alone to cook for 7-9 hours on low or 4-5 hours on high. Then it makes your whole apartment smell delicious and comes out ready to enjoy, preferably with tortilla chips. And if you’re wary about cooking with beer, don’t be! it adds to the flavor and you can tell all your friends you know how to cook with beer. Serve with sour cream, shredded cheese, or whatever toppings you desire.
And, if eating meat isn’t your thing, fear not: there is a kick-ass vegan quinoa and black bean chili recipe available here.
Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers:
If you’re like me, cheese is your favorite food and you have a deep appreciation for all the foods pretty much guaranteed to give you heartburn. The Super Bowl is an excellent occasion to celebrate all of those things. Enter, bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers.
You will need:
1/2 cup of cream cheese
1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
12 jalepeno peppers, halved, sans seeds and ribs
12 slices of bacon (I used turkey bacon and it worked fine, but my roommate told me it looked like dog treats.)
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Mix your cream cheese and shredded cheese in a bowl and use it as filling for your jalapeno halves. Put the pepper halves together and wrap in bacon. Put them on an aluminum foil-covered baking sheet and bake them until the bacon is crispy. This one is so easy, and your friends will look at you like you could definitely beat Bobby Flay.
Disclaimer: PLEASE wash your hands thoroughly after cutting jalapenos. Also, make sure you don’t accidentally let your roommate’s dog eat jalapeno seeds. It will be ugly and your roommate will be upset.
Marvellous Margarita:
Finally, what’s a superbowl party without a little booze? Here is a marvelous margarita recipe for when the halftime show is over and you just can’t confront the fact you have to work tomorrow.
Merry football season, and don’t forget to set out a bowl of antacids for your guests.
Cover image courtesy of Slow Cooker Gourmet
Featured images courtesy of loveandlemons.com and allrecipes.com
gif: Giphy/Jacque Medina