Kacey’s Simple Super Bowl Snacks
The new year is still pretty fresh as we continue to baby-step towards what “normal” life used to be. After everything 2020 brought on, events and special occasions have taken on a whole new meaning this year. Gatherings are smaller, and more close knit. Nothing is too much of a production, and we stay thankful for the ability to even enjoy something like the Super Bowl this year. Keeping it simple in order to savour the moments is definitely this year’s mantra, which is why we created this line up of simple snacks to feed your [small] football fan club.
The key to keep things easy and manageable is to stick to a theme so that all the flavor combinations play well together without overcomplicating the list of ingredients. These snacks can all be made in advance so that you can enjoy your time instead of stressing in the kitchen. The other perk to sticking to a flavor theme? Your guests can mix and match these snacks as they build their plate before watching the game, and enjoy small bites in-between plays. Simple, fresh, delicious, and your go-to winning snacks for Super Bowl Sunday.
Southwest Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
These stuffed mini sweet potatoes are effortless, and fun for guests to create their own
version with different toppings. Set this up like a taco bar, with mix and match serving bowls for pops of color and pattern. If you choose to make ahead, roast the yams, leave in the foil and pop in the oven to reheat before serving.
INGREDIENTS
● 6-8 mini yams
● 1 lb ground pork
● 1⁄2 tbsp smoked paprika
● 1⁄2 tbsp cayenne pepper
● 1 tsp chili powder
● 1 tsp dried oregano
● 1⁄2 tsp cumin
● 1⁄2 tbsp onion powder
● 1⁄2 tbsp garlic powder
● Salt and pepper to taste.
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees
2. Prick each sweet potato with a fork and wrap in tin foil.
3. Roast for 20-30 minutes (depending on the size), or until the yam has softened.
4. Add the ground pork to a mixing bowl. Using your hands, mix all of the spices
into the pork until fully incorporated. Add the pork to a frying pan set to medium heat. Fry until the meat is cooked through. Add to a serving bowl.
5. Remove the yams from the oven and set aside to cool. Slice the yam down the middle and top it off with ground pork and your choice of toppings.
Homemade Corn Chips
These chips are an amazing ‘special touch’, that are so much tastier than store bought chips. The prep takes just a few minutes before you slow roast until crispy perfection. Worth the minimal effort and the best match for the guacamole recipe included in this line up.
INGREDIENTS
● 10-6 inch corn tortillas, sliced into small strips
● 1 tbsp avocado oil
● 1 tbsp smoked paprika
● Juice of one lime
● Flakey sea salt
INSTRUCTIONS
Set the oven to 325 degrees.
Stack the 10 corn tortillas. With a sharp knife cut the stack into thin strips and separate each slice.
Spread the tortilla strips out onto a baking sheet and drizzle the avocado oil.
Sprinkle the paprika, lime juice and a few good pinches of sea salt evenly over the strips.
Using your hands, gently toss the strips until the oil and spices are spread evenly over each strip.
Slow roast the chips for 30-40 minutes, tossing every 10 minutes to ensure each chip is evenly toasted.
Once the chips have toasted all the way through, and have reached an ideal crispy state, remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
Serve with guacamole or salsa, or crunch over the top of a stuffed sweet potato.
Pickled Red Onions
If you're looking for the ultimate flavor pop for any taco type dish - make these pickled red onions. It adds an interesting acidic note that pairs well with the other Mexican style toppings and are what complete the stuffed sweet potato recipe. Also, how about that color?
INGREDIENTS:
● 2 red onions, thinly sliced
● 2 allspice berries
● 1 tsp salt
● 1⁄2 tsp dried oregano
● 3 tbsp raw honey
● 2 cups apple cider vinegar, or another light vinegar
● Juice of 2 limes
● Juice of 1 blood orange, or regular orange
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Using a mandoline or sharp knife, thinly slice both of the red onions.
2. Add all of the other ingredients into a sauce pan. Bring to a boil, and reduce the heat to medium and cook until the honey has completely dissolved.
3. Add the onions to the sauce pan and let simmer for about 5 minutes, until softened and the color starts to turn vibrant.
4. Remove from the heat and let cool to room temp in the sauce pan. Serve as is, or drain onions and add to a serving bowl as topping for the sweet potatoes.
Classic Guacamole
The ultimate classic, restaurant quality guacamole recipe that is a must have for this Tex-Mex snack line up. It’s the perfect pair for the home made corn chips and a lovely addition to the stuffed sweet potato.
INGREDIENTS:
● 4 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice, or to taste
● 1 tsp sea salt, or to taste
● 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
● 1 serrano chile or jalapeno pepper, stem and seeds removed
● 1⁄4 dried oregano
● 3 large avocados, pitted and peeled
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Add the lime juice, salt, cilantro, chile, and oregano into a blender and mix until smooth.
2. In a mixing bowl, mash the avocados and pour the lime mixture over the top of the avocados. Mix until all of the ingredients are evenly combined.