The biggest Sunday of the year (more so than Easter) is just two days away, and while Pats and Eagles fans alike are prepping themselves for the big game, it's also time to think about what you will do during the game. That's right, during.
It's all very well to sit and, in the words of John Madden, "watch some footballlllllll!" but you've got to keep yourself busy as well. And the easiest way to do that is to stuff your belly with some tasty tailgating treats.
The Tufts Daily Sports Department does not want to see you all starved, so we've created a few delicious recipes to keep those Jumbo appetites at bay come 6:30 p.m. on Sunday. It should be noted that had we released this article earlier in the week, many of the ingredients that appear in the following recipes could have been successfully acquired during a week of dedicated hoarding from the Carmichael and Dewick cuisine. However, in the interests of health and safety, we recommend a fresh run to your local Star Market.
Aussie Gerner's End Zone Chili:
<$> Editor Jesse Gerner comes from a long line of chili connoisseurs. While Australians are known for their fine local cuisine, this recipe has been toned down for local consumption. That means replacing all kangaroo ingredients with beef.
Ingredients: A few pounds of diced beef; two bags of kidney beans soaked in water for at least 24 hours; three or four tins of canned tomatoes; three to four diced brown onions; diced bacon or smoked pork; as many different varieties of chili peppers that you can find (or desire to put in); crushed garlic; grated cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese; some cooking oil; one tablespoon ground cumin; one tablespoon crushed coriander.
Directions: Cook the beef, onion and garlic in oil in a heavy pot or even a Dutch oven (good luck finding one of those on short notice!) until brown. Dump in the rest of the ingredients (except the cheese) and allow the mix to reach a slow boil. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, for around two hours or until the beef is tender. Serve it up with some cheese on top and watch the smoke pour out of your ears.
Nachos ? la PomPom:
<$> Sports Department head Dave Pomerantz provided this secret family recipe for Super Bowl Nachos. Highest caloric quantities recommended, with no green vegetables. This is the Super Bowl after all.
Ingredients: One bag of fried tortilla chips; two cups diced tomatoes; half cup chopped black olives; one jar high class guacamole; sour cream; chopped beef/chicken/both; three-cheese mix of Monterey Jack, Cheddar and American; chopped jalape?±o peppers; cooking oil.
Directions: Put tortilla chips in an aluminum cooking tray (go visit Jumbo Express). Cook the chopped beef or chicken in a frying pan in oil until browned. Throw the meat and cheese on top of the chips and bake in a microwave or oven at 300 degrees until the cheese is melted. Like a good touch down pass, throw all the remaining ingredients on top and eat your hearts out.
Whelan's AFC Wings
<$> Loyal Patriots fan Timothy Whelan, Jr. staunchly believes Sunday's game will not be for the birds, and so he let us in on his pregame ritualistic anti-winged creature prayer to the football gods with his AFC Wings recipe.
Ingredients: A few pounds chicken wings (approximately two dozen wings); two cups barbecue sauce; salt and pepper to taste; (if you want to be extra creative beyond just BBQ sauce, add 1/4 cup honey; a couple spoons of spicy mustard; a couple spoons of Worcestershire sauce; some Tabasco sauce).
Directions: Rinse and dry the wings. Chop off the wing tips if you don't like them. Sprinkle salt and pepper on top and broil in a lightly oiled pan. Place wings for about 10 minutes per side, or until browned. While the wings are broiling, mix the sauce ingredients together (if you choose to use all of the above, rather than just BBQ sauce). When the wings are cooked, cover them with sauce and cook on medium heat for three to four hours, until the chicken is tender (and not dry!). We'll see what the birds think of that! (Or, just order from Wing Works).
Beer
<$> That homebrew you were planning to make in the bathtub tonight probably won't be ready until Super Bowl XXXX. So save yourself some time and pop down to the liquor store for a couple 30-packs. Walk if you can, so that you fulfill Budweiser's recommendation for burning off the calories you will start consuming once game time rolls around.
Good luck cooking. Or, you could just be lazy, and order take out. The Daily Sports Department wishes everyone a safe, enjoyable and tasty Super Bowl XXXIX.
