Hot Stuff
By BarbecueBible.com
It’s been called “The Greatest Show on Turf” and more recently, “The New England Patriot’s Invitational” due to that team’s frequent participation. We’re talking about Super Bowl 53, of course—LIII if you remember your Roman numerals—the contest between the Titans of the AFC and the NFC to crown the champion of the 2018 NFL. Tune in at 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 3, to watch the New England Patriots take on the Los Angeles Rams.
The Patriots will be wearing their white “road” jerseys and the Rams (the so-called “home team” this year) will wear their throwback colors, blue and bright yellow.
Once again, we’ll be partying at home, content to be among the Americans who didn’t spend thousands of dollars on prime seats in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Word on the street is that the cheapest tickets this year are still $2800.)
We enjoy serving food on game day that honors the teams. New England has a distinct food culture that’s easy to tap into as does L.A. (think California cuisine). Below are just some of the possibilities. We urge you to check out Steven’s books, such as Project Smoke and Project Fire for even more ideas!
(By the way, check out our recent blog on must-have grilling, smoking, and party equipment that will clinch your reputation as a Super Bowl host.)
1. Smoked Chicken Nachos
Californians love their Mexican food. In fact, Acapulco, an L.A. restaurant, is giving free nachos to anyone who greets their server with, “Go Rams!” In the meantime, make up a big batch of Smoked Chicken or Pork Nachos with meats you’ve smoked a day or two before the party. For a low-carb version, substitute pork rinds for tortilla chips.
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2. Bacon Maple Grilled Onion Rings
We strongly suggest you double or triple this recipe, as in our experience, these fly off the plate! They can be eaten alone or are terrific on burgers. We like to sprinkle the onions with Project Smoke Carolina Pit Powder, but feel free to substitute your favorite barbecue rub. You can assemble the onion rings up to a day ahead, then indirect grill them just before or during the party. Maybe while Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl is airing.
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3. Buffa-Que Wings
According to the National Chicken Council, wings are one of the most popular foods served on Super Bowl Sunday. Roughly 1.3 billion are expected to be consumed on game day. Steven’s version pays homage to this iconic version, first served at Buffalo’s Anchor Bar.
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4. Crab Jalapeno Poppers
Steven grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, where they know a thing or two about crab. This upscale version of a popular tailgating nibble is one you’ll want to add to your repertoire. (We sometimes add grilled corn to the filling.)
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5. Grilled Onion Dip
You’ll never go back to store-bought onion dip after making your own. The dip can be made a day or two before the party and refrigerated. Serve with crudites, grilled bread, or pita wedges.
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6. Lamb Burgers with Yogurt-Cucumber Sauce
We can’t ignore the food association between the Rams and lamb. In this recipe, ground lamb is mixed with onion, mint, and other seasonings, shaped into burgers, and served in pita bread. It makes for a great one-handed meal, leaving the other hand free to fist-bump.
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7. Maple Molasses Glazed Baby Back Ribs
There’s nothing more primal than gnawing on rib bones, making them the perfect food for a testosterone-fueled sport like professional football. In a nod to New England, these ribs are glazed with maple syrup and molasses, both quintessential ingredients in the Northeastern part of the country. If you’re a West Coast partisan, we recommend Spice-Smoked Lamb Ribs with Cherry Barbecue Sauce. Cut each rack into individual ribs before serving.
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8. Double Brat Po’ Boys with Smoked Sauerkraut
Heartier appetites will skip the crudites and go right for these bad boys. Serve with—what else?—beer.
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9. A New Macaroni and Cheese (with Grilled Onions, Chiles, and Corn)
One of our most downloaded recipes is rich, smoky, and positively addictive. Fortified with ham, bacon, and grilled vegetables, this is definitely not your father’s mac ‘n’ cheese. Score!
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10. Grilled Pound Cake with Berry “Salsa” and Tequila-Whipped Cream
This dessert, a perennial favorite at Barbecue University, features the team colors of the Patriots—red, white, and blue. The tequila is optional if teetotalers or youngsters will be attending the party.
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Have another favorite super bowl party recipe? Tell us about it on Facebook, Twitter, and the Barbecue Board!
Make your Super Bowl 53 party the best yet! Click here to see our list of Super Bowl party essentials from grilling equipment to rubs!
