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Super Bowl Sunday at Home: Kickass Recipes for Kick-Off
On Sunday, February 7, the Kansas City Chiefs will meet the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the much-anticipated battle between the champions of the National and American Football Conferences.
We had no idea, in 1967, when the phenomenon started, that this annual sporting contest would engage millions of Americans, football fans or not, or become the second biggest eating day behind Thanksgiving. Just as we had no idea that the 55th Super Bowl would look so different from the 54th.
For starters, only 14,500 fans and 7,500 healthcare workers will attend the game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (For the record, the stadium can accommodate up to 75,000 fans.) At least one ticket broker is selling tickets for $407,000 each, with customers buying tickets in socially-distanced pods of six to eight preferred. Yup. We don’t want to do the math, either.
The current situation just affirms what we’ve always said, and that is, the best place to enjoy Super Bowl Sunday is in your own home where there is comfortable seating (and convivial seatmates), fewer distractions, cheaper parking, shorter lines to the bathroom, and above all—better food, preferably hot off the grill.
What to Grill If You’re Rooting for the Kansas City Chiefs
In honor of the Chiefs, we’ll be making Kansas City-style burnt ends. Though they have an unfortunate name and were once considered scrap by KC pit masters, these crusty, smoky, irregularly-shaped nuggets of the fatty brisket point are one of this city’s greatest contributions to barbecue and are a great choice for game day. Renowned journalist and Kansas City native Calvin Trillin immortalized them in live-fire circles in 1972 when he wrote in Playboy magazine:
I dream of those burned edges. Sometimes, when I’m in some awful overpriced restaurant in some strange town—all of my restaurant-finding techniques having failed, so that I’m left to choke down something that costs $7 and tastes like a medium-rare sponge—a blank look comes over my face: I have just realized that at that very moment someone in Kansas City is being given those burned edges free.
Today, you can find recipes for burnt ends featuring chuck roast or pork belly, and both are delectable. But the Chiefs, defending champions from Super Bowl LIV, deserve authenticity. (For more on burnt ends, click here.) Last year, we made Kansas City-style ribs for our guests; there was nary a bone left. Find the recipe here.
What to Grill If You’re Rooting for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Now, if you’re a Tampa Bay fan, we have a couple of suggestions for you, too.
First up is Sugar Cane Shrimp with Spiced Rum Glaze. This recipe, long one of our favorites, makes the most of bounty from Florida and the Caribbean. Succulent jumbo shrimp are skewered on lengths of fresh sugar cane (we use sugar cane swizzle sticks from melissas.com, available at many supermarkets or online), then grilled over high heat and brushed with a glaze that summons Floridian vibes. And like the burnt ends above, these skewers are perfect party fare, easily eaten even while fist-pumping. You can even deputize a party-goer that doesn’t know what a Hail Mary pass is to help you grill so you don’t miss a play. (The kebabs only take 2 to 4 minutes to cook, meaning they can be easily replenished.)
If you’re watching alone or with a small group, here’s another option—one you may not be familiar with: Cuban-Style Steak with Mojo, also known as bistec de palomilla.
Thin sirloin steaks are soaked in a citrusy marinade with chips of fried garlic, then grilled with slices of sweet onion. If desired, you could easily turn this dish into kebabs. Simply soak cubes of beefsteak in the marinade, then thread with pieces of onion on bamboo skewers. Garnish with chopped cilantro.
For Other Super Bowl-Worthy Recipes…
- Just In Time For Super Bowl LV: How To Cook Brats Like A Pro
- 10 Super Bowl-Worthy Recipes For Your Party At Home
- Bring Your Best Rib Game To Super Bowl Sunday
Who are you rooting for on Super Bowl Sunday? Share them with us on Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, or Instagram!