Are You Ready for Some Football???

   So it's a bittersweet time of year for most of us. That time of year when we know that after next week our Sunday afternoons and Monday nights will be spent watching bad sitcoms and made for TV movies because football season has ended for another year and yet we are getting geared up for the biggest game of the year, the Super Bowl!

   This year the Super Bowl will be played by 2 west coast teams which would be a total bust for us east coaster but for the fact that this year it will be played up in Giants Stadium. In spite of where the teams are from, the game is always met with the anticipation of a great match even if sometimes the only thing worth watching are the commercials. ( We all remember the last time the Eagles went. My friend who had a party to celebrate his teams pending victory, was packing up the food after half time with his wife swearing that she was going to sneak a Valium in his beer.)

   Because there is a strong chance that the game will be a let down to team fans and football fans in general is the reason that you need to make sure you have the best food and booze in the neighborhood. Nothing like drowning your tears of disappointment in some great wing sauce or fabulous pulled pork, right?

  This year is a bit of a challenge. After all, if New England was going there could be big bubbly pots of New England Clam, and creamy Lobster Roll Sandwiches. If San Fran had made the cut, big pots of tomatoey Chippino with crusty bread would have been awesome. Alas, we are stuck with Denver and Seattle to set the tone for our buffet table.

  What are their signature dishes, you ask? Well, in Denver, there isn't much. They have a huge beer culture between Coors and having the most microbreweries and craft beers in the nation but not much specific food culture. If you travel a bit west and south, you do come up with one dish that actually is perfect for this setting. Named the Green Chile Slopper, this sandwich just begs to be front and center of the Denver fan's buffet table! I have seen in most often asa burger but I have decided that it will be potentially even yummier when adapted to a Pulled Pork Sandwich instead. The chile sauce that smothers the open faced sandwich varies as much as BBQ sauces vary by region. Many are served topped with french fries and raw white onion and served in a bowl with a spoon. I think I will add a fresh Avocado garnish for a little bit of cool!

As for Seattle, everyone immediately jumps to coffee and salmon which, on their face, don't have to much appeal when tailgating! However, the one foodie thing going down in Seattle these days offers a perfect palette for football food and that is food truck grub, particularly Asian food truck grub! This opens the door wide for great possibilities but I myself am going for Asian Spare Ribs. Teriyaki is actually a front runner in the Seattle food scene but I am not a fan. I think I will do a rib with a sweet chili sesame glaze so they have that sweet.salty, spicy, fatty, meaty umami that we love about asian food.

  These are good places to start as far as I can tell but for fun I think I will also tie in a beer based dish to represent Denver and a coffee based dish to cover Seattle. I actually love coffee as a seasoning for beef so maybe some tender steal kabobs rubbed with Cumin and Coffee. I think a beer based cheese dip with pretzels or a beer and Cheese Soup using Denver's choice small batch beer will be a fun addition too.

  Of course, anyone who knows me knows that I over think these things a little too much and yet, everyone seems to be so impressed and thrilled to be eating it when the time comes. I suppose the standard fare of Buffalo Wings and chips and dip will do but why not put out this regionally special meal for all of your fans. That way the losers will leave as happy as the winners!

Go Teams!!!!