Mark's Super Bowl Party Style on "Better"
With Super Bowl Sunday hot on our heels, it’s only natural that we get into the spirit of the game with football-themed party ideas. Most of us can recall the default Super Bowl party: everyone huddles around the TV drinking beer and eating potato chips and onion dip… not so SUPER!
This year, score a touchdown (pun intended…) with friends and family with a WOW table equipped with food, fun and, yes, even games fit for all “whether your there for the love of the game or just to watch the commercials”. Mark recently met up with “Better” host Audra Lowe and gave her a few pointers on how to create an exciting environment inspired by this year’s Super Bowl home: Miami, Florida!
For the pre-game festivities, we brought the thrill of competition from the tube to the table. Taking inspiration from Super Bowl XLIV’s dualing sides, we created two drinks that will surely get your guests into the game. The Colt 45 cocktail, named for the Indianapolis Colts, takes a bit out of the competition with a secret ingredient: energy cola. On the other side, we have the All-Saints, named for the New Orleans Saints. The All-Saints explodes the flavors of the French Quarter on your taste buds.
As an extra special treat, we’ve created customized scoreboards that tally which team drink is consumed the most number of times. At the end of the game, pending the fun leaves at least one sober participant, tally up and see which team won!
Miami has a flair that is hardly matched to any other city in the United States. To start the game off right, we have a starting line-up of chips and salsa, Miami Style! Mixing a variety of exotic potato crisps served up in a football helmet with two flavorful homemade dips will keep hands greedy for a taste.
The half-time festivities are the star of your show. This is when you present guests with your main course. For our half-time presentation, we created a mini version of a Miami favorite: Cuban Sliders served with Mojo Mayo and Cumin Ketchup. We added a few party decorations to our platters and – voila! – we brought all the glitz and glamor of a half-time celebration that not only entertains guests, but also adds a much-needed pizazz to the table.
Another great option for a half-time meal is Twice Drunken Chili. Made with Mexican ale and our Thai-Chili infused tequila, Twice Drunken Chili kick starts any lagging tongue with over-the-top flavor.
We end the game on a sweet note with Post-Game Desserts. We couldn’t create a Miami-inspired WOW table without some Miami-style desserts. And what goes better with burgers than milkshakes! In classic flavors like Papaya, Dulce De Leche and south Florida’s own Key Lime Pie. The trio of mini milkshakes are just the perfect size to enjoy all three!
If you’re really looking to impress your Super Bowl party guests with something off the beaten path of beer and pizza, try this WOW table out. It’s entertaining and, best of all, an easy solution to get you out of the kitchen and into the game!
Post-Game: Trio of Mini Milkshakes
We end the game on a sweet note with Post-Game Desserts. We couldn’t create a Miami-inspired WOW table without some South Florida desserts. And what goes better with your Half-Time burgers than milkshakes! In classic flavors like Papaya, Dulce De Leche and South Florida’s own Key Lime Pie. Each “shot” is just the right size to fill you up post-game.
Papaya Milkshake
1 cup whole milk
3 tbsp sweetened condensed milk
3 tbsp sugar (to taste)
1 cup fresh ripe papaya cubed or ½ cup of papaya puree
1/2 cup crushed ice
*Optional floater of coconut rum
Put everything in the blender except the ice and process until frothy (can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Just before serving, add the crushed ice and process until the ice is ground fine and the shake is thick and rich. NOTE: The condensed milk is a very Cuban addition. You may omit this ingredient to your taste.
Key Lime Pie Milkshake
1 cup whole milk
3 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
3 tablespoons sugar (to taste)
¼ cup Key Lime Juice
1/2 cup crushed ice
*Optional floater of vanilla vodka
Put everything in the blender except the ice and process until frothy (can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Just before serving, add the crushed ice and process until the ice is ground fine and the shake is thick and rich. NOTE: The condensed milk is a very Cuban addition. You may omit this ingredient to your taste.
Dulce de Leche Milkshake
1 cup whole milk
3 tablespoons Dulce de Leche*
1/2 cup crushed ice
*Optional floater of spiced rum
Put everything in the blender except the ice and process until frothy (can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Just before serving, add the crushed ice and process until the ice is ground fine and the shake is thick and rich. NOTE: The condensed milk is a very Cuban addition. You may omit this ingredient to your taste.
Dulce de Leche
(in a can)
This is my favorite way of making Dulce de Leche. Although it takes 3-4 hours it’s the method I prefer because you can more or less forget the can albeit checking on the water level every now and then.
* 1 can sweetened condensed milk
Remove the label from the can and pierce two small holes on opposite sides of the lid. Place the can in a saucepan with the water level about ½ inch from the top of the can. Turn up the heat to medium-high and bring the water to a simmer, then reduce the heat and keep the water at a simmer for 3 to 4 hours (depending on the thickness of sauce desired). Keep a close eye, filling water into the saucepan every time it reduces its level below ¾ inches from the top of the lid*. Remove the can from the saucepan, with oven gloves and then with a can opener open the can carefully. Pour the contents into a bowl and with a whisk gently whisk the Dulce de Leche to make it smooth and creamy.
* Piercing holes prevents pressure building up inside of the can, which can cause the can to explode.
Half-Time Snacks: Cuban Sliders
As a tribute to Miami (my hometown) I created these Cuban Sliders, a twist on the traditional Cuban Sandwich will be a great crowd-pleaser for any Super Bowl party Half-Time festivities.
Made with all the ingredients of a Cuban sandwich, these mini burgers are more HAM than Burger! It is a ground pork and ham roll wrapped in bacon with classic toppings of Swiss cheese and a pickle on Pan Frito (Cuban garlic bread). Guests can select from a variety of Miami spiced-infused condiments, including Mojo Mayo and Cumin Ketchup.
Cuban Burgers
Pork Log
1 pound thick cut bacon
1 lb. sliced deli ham
2 pounds ground pork
1 mojo paste*
Mojo Paste
4 Garlic Cloves
¼ tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Black peppercorns (whole)
1 tbsp Oregano (chopped)
1 tsp orange zest
1 tsp lemon zest
Instructions:
Press ground pork out on a cutting board lined with wax paper to create a 10” long by 6” deep layer approx. 1/5 inch thick being sure that is the same thickness all the way across. Next, spread mojo paste over the pork layer then top with the sliced deli ham.
Very carefully separate the front edge of the sausage layer from the wax paper and begin rolling forwards. Try and keep the sausage as tight as possible and be sure to release any air pockets that may have formed. Once the sausage is fully rolled up, pinch together the seams and ends to seal.
The next step is to wrap the sausage in the bacon. Position the roll at the forward end of the wax paper and layout the bacon strips perpendicular to the log overlapping the strips. Roll the log over the sheet of bacon strips, making sure it sits with the seam facing downward to help keep it all sealed up.
Fry the pork log in a pan to crisp the bacon and sear the ends.
To finish the log, bake on a wire rack at 350 degrees until your meat thermometer gives an internal temperature reading of 165 degrees.
Let the log rest before slicing into half-inch rounds. If your roll was good and tight, you should now see a nice bacon pinwheel pattern throughout the sausage. Serve on Cuban garlic bread slices, top with Swiss cheese and a sliced pickle.
Cuban Garlic Bread
1/4 cup olive oil for sautéing
3 cloves garlic, crushed with a pinch of salt
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1 loaf Cuban bread sliced into one-inch thick slices (You may substitute French bread)
Slice Cuban or French bread in 3-inch slices, then half. Place the slices on a cutting board and use a heavy frying pan or bacon press to compress them slightly. Heat the oil in a large sauté pan. Toss in the crushed garlic and parsley and sauté for one minute only, stirring constantly. Add the bread and sauté over medium heat until the bread is browned on both sides.
Toppings:
Swiss Cheese, sliced and cut into squares
Sliced Dill Pickles
Condiments
Cumin Ketchup
1 tsp ground cumin, toasted in a dry pan over medium heat
1 cup of ketchup
Mojo Mayo
4 Garlic Cloves
¼ tsp Salt
¼ tsp Black peppercorns (whole)
1 tbsp Oregano
1 tsp orange zest
1 tsp lemon zest
1 cup of mayonnaise
In a mortar and pestle, mash the garlic, salt and pepper, oregano and zest all together into a paste. Scoop the paste out into a separate bowl and combine with mayo.
Kick-Off: Miami-Style Chips and Salsa
Start the first quarter of the BIG GAME and guests are ready for a pre-Half Time snack. A great option is Mark’s chips and dips Miami-style! Say good-bye to tortilla chips and ordinary salsa with a tribute to the Super Bowl’s new home: Miami, Florida!
Mark created two dips that will introduce the flavors of Miami in a whole new way: a spicy, flavorful mango salsa and a creamy, rich coconut crab dip. Both dips take notes from the fruity flare of Miami and the brute taste of the city’s heritage. Serve with exotic veggie crisps and your guests are sure to help themselves again… and again.
Mango Salsa
1/2 to 3/4 cups cilantro, chopped (adjust to taste)
1/8 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
1/2 cup finely chopped green onion
1/2 cup finely chopped green pepper (blanched for one minute in boiling water)
1 cup fresh mango, mashed
Juice of 1 lime
Pinch of red pepper flakes
Fresh mango cubes
Mix cilantro, green onion, green pepper, mashed mango and lime juice in a small bowl. Add a small amount of salt, adjusting the amount of salt to taste. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little bite. Garnish with cubed mango pieces and cilantro leaves.
Coconut Crab Dip
1/3 cup coconut milk
2 tbsp cream cheese, softened
3 small scallions, chopped
1 tsp fresh jalapeno, diced
2 tbsp cilantro, chopped
1⁄2 cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp fresh lime juice
1 lb. lump crab meat or stone crab meat
1⁄2 tsp Kosher salt
1⁄4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tbsp toasted coconut
Using a small food processor, blend the coconut milk, cream cheese, scallions, jalapeno, lime juice and half of the cilantro until smooth. Pour into a small bowl, mixing with mayo and remaining cilantro until just combined. Stir in crab and season with salt and cayenne. Pour into a bowl and top with toasted coconut and serve with baked veggie chips
Pre-Game: Team Cocktails
As you kick off your Super Bowl party, get guests in the sporting mood with a friendly drinking competition. We’ve created two drinks in honor of the teams at this year’s Super Bowl: the All Saints and the Colt Cola 45 Cocktail.
Using a homemade scoreboard, guests can note a tally each time one of the cocktails is finished. Continue this competition through to the final touchdown. Once the Super Bowl is over, tally up your scoreboard to see which team’s cocktail is the winner. Did it match up with the Super Bowl champion?
All Saints
Team Inspiration: New Orleans Saints
1 cup ice cubes
1 fluid ounce light rum
1 fluid ounce spiced rum
1 fluid ounce coconut rum
1/2 fluid ounce Chambord (raspberry liqueur)
1/2 fluid ounce triple sec liqueur
2 fluid ounces orange juice
1 fluid ounce of lemon-lime soda
Orange slices for garnish
1 maraschino cherry for garnish
Fill an ice shaker with ice. Add light rum, spiced rum, coconut rum, Chambord, triple sec and orange juice. Shake vigorously, strain into a cocktail glass, top with lemon-lime soda and garnish with a cherry and orange slices.
Colt Cola 45 Cocktail
Team Inspiration: Indianapolis Colts
1 ounce Gin
2 ounces Jagermeister
5 ounces Energy Cola
Fill a highball glass with ice, add gin, Jagermeister and cola, garnish with lemon wedge.
Mark on "Better"
Mark recently taped a “Super” segment on “Better” with Host Audra Lowe to infuse his super style into Super Bowl Parties that have something for everyone whether they are there for the love of the game or just for the commercials – “We’ve all been to those Super Bowl Parties where we huddle around the TV, drink beer and eat chips & dips… not so Super!”
Mark Addison with Better TV Host Audra Lowe
Airing Monday, February 1st on “Better” in select cable markets. Log onto www.BetterTV.com for local listings or stay tuned for a link to the online video.
