Are You Ready for Some Football!?

We moved to Texas a little over four years ago and we bought a home from a couple who was sort of known for their annual Super Bowl parties; not to be outdone, a year after moving in, we decided to carry on the legend. This year would be the "4th Annual Cereghino Super Bowl Party", but this year we are headed to Portland, OR to visit friends and family that we missed over the holidays. So, I present you with what I would've made for our party:

Paleo "Sliders": 

Can be made with Ground Beef, Buffalo, or really any meat you like. Form your burgers the day before and then bake in a 400F oven, before the party begins. Cook them to medium-rare and leave them covered with foil, until ready to serve. The buns can be made in advance (up to three days) and stored in a plastic bag until game day. Condiments can be sliced and stored in tupperware, the day before; just put them out on a platter and let your guests create their own burgers. 

Depending on the other items you have out, plan on about 3-5 "Sliders" per guest. 

Moroccan-Style Lamb Meatballs: You can make these meatballs with any meat you like and can mix up the seasoning, as you like. These are nice because, like the burgers, they can be formed the day before and baked right before the party. You can serve them at room temperature or keep them warm in a crock pot, set on low. 

Kale Chips: These can be made a few days in advance and are just nice for their salty crunch. Make a big batch and put them out with mixed nuts.

Paleo Chips and Guacamole: Sort of a must! The batter is really easy to make, but the scooping and forming can take a little more time. Make these a few days before the party and serve plated in a stack, so that they don't break. These are so good with guacamole, but would also be perfect with Baba Ganoush and/or Macadamia Nut Hummus.

Macadamia Nut Hummus: Follow this recipe for Macadamia Nut "Cheese", but omit the tarragon and add 1/4 cup of toasted tahini and 1/2 T. of ground cumin. Remember that the nuts need to soak before pureeing. Serve with cut up carrots, bell peppers, jicama, and cucumber.

Baba Ganoush: This is a great alternative to hummus. I would make this or the Macadamia Nut Hummus, not both. Serve as suggested above.

Bacon-Wrapped Dates Stuffed w/Almonds: Slice a date in half (but leave it still intact) and remove the pit. Fill the hole, that once held the pit, with a raw, unsalted almond (or 2, if large). Wrap with a piece of bacon, just large enough to overlap and stab with a toothpick to fasten. Bake on a baking sheet, with a baking rack, at 415F, until the bacon has crisped, about 20 minutes. Remove the toothpicks and serve with fresh toothpicks.

Our friends, John and Julia, brought these over one night and let me tell you...they are awesome!!! But, also super high in sugar so use them for these types of occasion only...not regular snacking.

Other Options:
Sausage and Mustard: Always a hit!
Potato/Vegetable Chips: (not the best option for everyday snacking, but better than others for a party)
Mixed Nuts: If you want to get a little more flavorful, try this recipe (sub pure maple syrup for the sugar)

The thing that I've noticed, as I've slowly swooned Scott over to the Paleo lifestyle, is that sometimes it's better not to mention that the food he's about to eat is "Paleo". Putting a label on food (i.e. "healthy", "vegetarian", "Paleo", "gluten-free"...), just seems to make people feel uncomfortable. And, a Super Bowl party is not the time to make your friends feel uncomfortable. So, just make the food, let them eat (and enjoy) the food, and then wait for them to ask you for the recipe. That's the way I like to roll.