SUPER BOWL 2018 - FOOD! FUN! FOOTBALL!

Who are we kidding? We all know one of the best things about watching the Super Bowl is all the scrumptious food we get to devour! Here are a few amazing ideas for your Super Bowl party that will definitely score a touchdown with your friends and family! 

EASY INSTANT POT IDEAS -

Zuppa Toscana

Instant Pot Rigatoni and Meatballs

Instant Pot Honey Sesame Chicken

Instant Pot Pulled Pork and Slaw Sandwich

BBQ Chicken Wings

SOUPS AND CHOWDERS -

Creamy Purple Potato Soup

Brown Butter Lobster Bisque

Creamy Caribbean Sweet Potato Soup

Slow Cooker Italian Sausage Cheese Tortellini Soup

Oyster Soup

Shrimp and Potato Corn Chowder

Tomato Basil Pasta Soup

Creamy Avocado Soup with Jumbo Lump Crab

Roasted Red Pepper and Ricotta Soup

Butternut Squash and Kale Chicken Soup

Bacon Cheddar Creamy Cauliflower Soup

APPETIZERS -

Laura Lee's Shrimp and Grits

Shrimp Fried Cauliflower Rice

Spaghetti Squash Shrimp Scampi

Orange Marmalade Shrimp Salad

Bacon Brie Fillo Cups

Crab Cakes

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Spinach and Artichoke Cups

Taco Bites

Mozzarella Skewers

Cheesy Chicken Ring

Walnut and Blue Cheese Grape Bites

Mini Quiche

Prosciutto and Mozzarella Bruschetta

Creamy Crescent Chicken Rolls

Creole Potato Salad

Tomato Basil Corn Salad with Shallot Miso Dressing

Chicken and Sausage Penne Jambalaya

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but I'm not sure if I could come up with that many adjectives to describe how amazingly delicious this easy skillet dinner tastes.

Ingredients:

- 6 oz. boneless, skinless, chicken breast, cut into small pieces
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
- 1 Tbs olive oil
- 2 links Italian sausage, cut into small pieces
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1/2 Tbs garlic, minced
- 1, 28 oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 8 to 10 oz. penne pasta, uncooked
- 1 Tbs hot sauce, optional
- 2 green onions, chopped 
- fresh cilantro

TIP - I used chicken from a rotisserie chicken I had as well as fully cooked sausage. This cut the cooking time down to a minimum. I added it to the skillet after I sautéed the onions and garlic.

Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet and add chicken and sausage. When it starts to brown, add onion and garlic and cook until onion is translucent. Add diced tomatoes, chicken broth, penne pasta, and hot sauce. Stir well. Cook for 15 minutes over medium heat until penne pasta is al dente (not too soft). Garnish with green onions and cilantro. Serve and enjoy! If you'd like a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here. 

"Freely adding and tasting ingredients in your dishes is

 how you grow your palate." - Anonymous 

Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana

Zuppa toscana is a broad-based term meaning "soup in the style of Tuscany".  This is a copycat recipe similar to the recipe used at the Olive Garden restaurant. Made with Italian sausage, potatoes, heavy cream, kale, and other savory ingredients, it's just one of those soup recipes that you'll hold onto so you can make again and again.

Ingredients:

- 2 Tbs olive oil
- 1 lb. ground Italian sausage
- 1 cup diced sweet onion
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- 5 medium/large russet potatoes, diced into about 1/4-inch thick pieces
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth, divided
- 4 to 6 cups chopped fresh kale, stems removed
- 1 cup heavy cream
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, shredded, for garnish, optional

Turn the Instant Pot to Sauté mode. When it reads "hot", add olive oil. Add sausage and brown it for about 5 minutes, stirring and chopping up the sausage the whole time. Add the diced onion, garlic, and oregano. Combine and stir occasionally for about 2 minutes. Add 2 cups of the chicken broth to deglaze the pot, scraping the bottom for any sausage pieces that might be stuck to it. Add the potatoes and the remaining 4 cups of chicken broth. Close the lid, cancel Sauté mode and set to Manual (High Pressure) for 5 minutes. After cooking cycle ends, allow a 10 minute Natural Pressure Release. After 10 minutes, manually release the steam (using a towel to cover vent). Once steam is released, open lid and add kale. Stir well. Cover and let cook through and soften for about 3 minutes. Stir in heavy cream and sprinkle in salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve and enjoy! If you'd like a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here.

"Vivere una vita bella. (Live a beautiful life.)" - Anonymous

Brown-Butter Lobster Bisque

I found an amazing recipe for lobster bisque! However, the recipe called for about six more ingredients and two more steps for the cooking process. I knew I could make the recipe a lot simpler; so no matter what your cooking level is, anyone could make and enjoy this amazing, creamy, bisque! 

Ingredients:

- 3 fresh lobster tails
- 1 tsp. salt
- 2 Tbs unsalted butter
- 1 small yellow onion, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 cup parsnip, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1/2 tsp. creole seasoning, optional (for a little kick)
- 1 tsp. Old Bay Seasoning
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 bay leaf
- 32 oz. seafood stock
- 1 cup cooked rice or quinoa
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- cilantro and/or chives for a garnish

In a large dutch oven, boil enough water to cover lobster tails. Add salt, and once water comes to a boil, submerse lobster tails and let cook for around 6 minutes. Remove and place the lobster tails directly in an ice bath to stop the cooking. Once cooled, remove the lobster meat, chop into bite-sized pieces, and set aside. 

Spill water out of the dutch oven and add the butter. Cook butter over medium heat, stirring frequently, until it has melted and turned a rich golden-brown color. Add onions, garlic, parsnip, and celery. Turning heat to medium-high, cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are tender. Add creole, Old Bay, white wine, and bay leaf. Cook for another 5 minutes. Add seafood stock and rice. Stir until heated through. Remove bay leaf. In batches, transfer soup to a blender. Remove center piece from lid so steam can escape. Using a towel to cover the lid, blend soup mixture until smooth. Repeat until all soup is blended. Pour blended soup back into the dutch oven and add heavy cream. Cook until heated through. Ladle soup in shallow bowls and add lobster meat. Garnish with cilantro or chives and enjoy! If you'd like a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here. 

"A Sunday well spent brings a week of content." - Anonymous 

Instant Pot Honey Sesame Chicken

No need for takeout when you have an Instant Pot. With an Instant Pot, your meal is done and ready to enjoy before delivery of any takeout food could reach your home. This honey sesame chicken is very flavorful, so easy to make, and tastes like it came from one of your favorite restaurants. 

Ingredients:

- 4 large (about 2 lbs) boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into small cubes

- 1/4 tsp. salt

- 1/4 tsp. pepper

- 1 Tbs vegetable oil (or olive oil)

- 1/2 cup diced yellow onion

- 2 tsp. minced garlic

- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce

- 1/4 cup ketchup

- 1/8 tsp. red pepper flakes

- 2 tsp. sesame oil

- 1/2 cup honey

- 2 Tbs cornstarch

- 3 Tbs water

- 2 scallions, white and green parts, chopped small

- Cooked rice and steamed broccoli, for serving, if desired

- Chopped scallions and sesame seeds for garnish

Season chicken with salt and pepper. Select Sauté to preheat the Instant Pot. Add oil, onions, garlic, and chicken to the pot. Sauté about 3 minutes, stirring often. Stir in soy sauce, ketchup, and red pepper flakes. Lock lid in place and select High Pressure with 3 minutes cook time.

When cook time ends, turn off the Instant Pot. Use a quick release to vent steam. After valve drops, carefully remove lid. Stir in sesame oil and honey. In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch and water until smooth. Add to the Instant Pot and select Sauté/Simmer, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens. Stir in scallions and serve over rice with steamed broccoli, if desired. Garnish with fresh scallions, if desired, and sesame seeds. Enjoy! If you'd like a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here.

"Your best teacher is your last mistake." - Anonymous