Super Bowl or Supper Bowl?

The Super Bowl has always been a big deal for our family. But I have to admit it has been more about the food, most years, than it has been about the game. I mean really, how many times does your team actually get into the big game? For our family it became a time, even when we were the most broke, when we would always have junk food and plenty of it and very few limitations as to how much you could eat. As with most traditions, this one carries on even as the kids grow up and times change. This year, most of the kids were out of town but that didn’t stop me from dreaming up new dishes – which makes me reflect that maybe it was more about me than everyone else, as I was always allowed to cook whatever I wanted. This year was no exception.

Weeks ago I started dreaming – about pork ribs. I love pork ribs and I had been on a quest for the perfect ribs – but I didn’t want someone else’s way of doing them. I don’t mind gleaning from others’ experiences, but I wanted to create my own. So I cooked the ribs initially in a turkey bag, then I sauced them and baked them to caramelize the barbecue sauce. Mmm. Mmm!

I also wanted to do my own buffalo wings without frying them, so I could eat them without feeling guilty about the fat content. I did two different sets of wings, one baked and one grilled. I decided I really liked them grilled. It took a little more personal care, but I think they were worth it.

To do enough for the party, I ordered 40 pounds of wings from Sysco. I decided I should practice my recipes (that may just have been an excuse to start in on them). I went downstairs to open the box and realized I had a 40 pound block of frozen chicken wings! Even with a hammer and chisel I wouldn’t have been able to dislodge a wing. I ended up thawing the whole block and then re-bagging and freezing them in smaller amounts. It took 3 days to thaw the wings out. I am so thankful I couldn’t wait to start the wings or I wouldn’t have realized the problem until Super Bowl weekend!

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