Super Bowl Sunday Is Here!

This week’s column needs little introduction as most households are searching for quick and easy ideas for Super Bowl Sunday, now just hours away. Whether you’ve invited the gang over or are planning a small buffet just for the family, these ideas should help kick-start your gathering. Hope your team wins!

Spinach Balls

1 pkg. Stove Top Stuffing (plain or seasoned)
1 2/3 cups hot water
½ stick butter or margarine
2 pkg. (10 oz. each) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, well drained
and patted dry
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 cup chopped fresh mushrooms
1 small onion, finely chopped
4 eggs

Preheat oven to 400°. Mix stuffing mix, hot water and butter in large bowl until well blended. Add remaining ingredients; mix lightly. Shape into 60 one-inch balls. Place on lightly greased cookie sheets. Bake 15 to 20 min. or until lightly browned.

To get ahead of the game: Prepare and bake spinach balls as directed; cool completely. Place in freezer-weight re-sealable plastic bags. Thaw in refrigerator on game day. Place on baking sheets and bake at 400°F for 10 to 15 min. or until heated through.

Cheesy Sausage Bites

16 frozen unbaked rolls, thawed
1 lb. sausage cooked and crumbled
2 cups shredded cheese

Flatten each piece of dough into a 2-3" circle. Fill with 1 tablespoon of cooked sausage and 1 tablespoon of shredded cheese. Fold dough over, seal edges well. Place 1-2 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes until lightly browned. Remove from pan and serve immediately.

Note: I feel sure this would work with canned biscuits, as well. Just roll them out and fill and seal as directed above.) Will probably have some sausage and cheese left over.

Easy Baked Chicken Wings

3 pounds chicken wings
1 cup soy sauce
1 cup butter
1 cup packed brown sugar

Cut and discard wing tips; cut chicken wings apart. Mix other ingredients and pour over the wings. Marinate overnight if you desire or at least one hour in the refrigerator.
Remove wings from marinade and bake 1 hour at 350.

Chili Cheese Ball

1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 (8 oz.) pkg. shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2 Tbs. milk
2 minced garlic cloves
1 pkg. chili seasoning
1 cup chopped walnuts

Blend softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, milk and garlic until creamy smooth with mixer or in food processor. Chill for at least ½ hour so mixture will be easier to handle. Tear off 2 pieces of wax paper, each about a foot long. Sprinkle the package of chili mix seasoning on one and the chopped nuts on the other. Form cheese into ball with your hands, roll in chili seasoning, then in nuts. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until about an hour before serving.

Honey Glazed Snack Mix

4 cups Corn Chex or Crispix
1 ½ cups mini pretzels
1 cup walnuts or pecan halves
1/3 cup butter
¼ cup honey

Heat oven to 350 degrees. In large bowl combine cereal, pretzels and nuts. In saucepan over low heat, melt butter; stir in honey. Pour over cereal mixture; toss to coat. Spread on 15"x10" jelly roll pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes or until glazed, stirring occasionally. Cool slightly, spread on waxed paper. Cool completely. Freezes well.

Quick And Easy Chewy Bars

1 pkg. Duncan Hines Butter Recipe Golden Cake Mix
¾ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
¾ cup butter, melted

Topping:
2 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 cup firmly packaged brown sugar
¾ cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 13 x 9 x 2 pan. For base combine cake mix, ¾ cup pecans and melted butter in large bowl, stir until well blended. Press mixture in bottom of pan.

For topping, combine cream cheese and brown sugar. Mix well. Spread evenly over base, sprinkle with ¾ cup pecans. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes, or until edges are browned and cheese topping is set. Cool completely. Refrigerate leftovers.

 

Don’t forget your copy of “Lovin’ Spoonful . . . Cooking With Family and Friends,” a compilation of nearly 400 mouth-watering recipes by Sherrie Norris. It is available at all locations of High Country Media – Boone, Banner Elk, West Jefferson, and at The Avery Journal in Newland, all Boone Drugs, Black Bear Books, Trailway Laundry, Wilcox Emporium,( top level, booth 312-W,) and beginning June 15 at Mast Store locations.