January 2008
Make your Super Bowl gathering a winner
Iron Chef Cat Cora shows you how
If you're still figuring out the menu for your Super Bowl party on Sunday, Feb. 3, don't panic. With proper planning over
the next couple of days, you can skip the takeout pizza and bag of stale chips and create a Lombardi Trophy-winning get-together
and, best of all, not create an avalanche of work for yourself in the process.
We sought out some expert party-planning advice from Cat Cora, an Iron Chef on Food Network's "Iron Chef America" and an executive chef for Bon Appétit magazine. "My rule of thumb is you want to make mobile food that people can carry around," says Cora. Click here to find some of her recipes, including a few of those mentioned here.
PREGAME PREP
Some foods taste better when made one to two days in advance, such as salsa, hummus, and dips. Once those dishes are done, wrap them tightly with plastic wrap. (If a recipe calls for avocados, hold off adding them to those dishes until right before serving.) To make efficient use of refrigerator space, marinate meats in zip-lock bags, and use stackable plastic containers.
Don't buy cold wine, beer, and soda and store them at room temperature. Instead, buy drinks at room temperature and on the morning of the game, throw them in a cooler and cover with ice.
If your championship-game party proves your fridge is ready to retire, be sure to read our buying advice for this essential kitchen appliance.
MICROWAVES
"Don't put meats or rolls in the microwave because they become rubbery or hard," says Cora. "The more moisture a food has--baked beans, for example--the better it is for microwaving." To save time on game day, Cora also suggests that you roast a turkey or prime rib the night before the party, slice it the next morning then wrap it in plastic, and refrigerate.
If your microwave can't generate enough juice to heat up even a few chicken wings, perhaps it's time to replace it. Find out the latest news in microwaves here.
FOOD PROCESSORS AND BLENDERS
The food processor is an excellent timesaving kitchen tool. "Use your food processor to make hummus, chop garlic or onions," Cora says. "Pulse it, don't keep it running. I do a feta dip that's phenomenal--it takes two minutes." For more about food processors, read Slicing Through the Hype.
If you're looking for some easy and delicious recipes for food processors, sample our Recipes Fit for a Food Processor.
To make soups with a chunkier consistency, use a food processor, but for smoother soups, try a blender. Blenders also excel at mixing icy drinks. Find out how to choose a blender here.
GRILLS AND COOKWARE
If you're serving grilled food on Sunday, Cora suggests that you marinate beef or lamb a day in advance, though you should marinate chicken the morning of the party. Also avoid cooking fish and shrimp too far in advance. They can become rubbery, so don't grill them until your guests are ready to eat. If your grill is a rust bucket, maybe it's time to buy a new one. Read our buying advice for gas grills.
If your menu includes flank steaks or other quick-cooking meats, start off with a hot pan and you'll add lots of flavor to the food. To sear the meat, use high heat and wait until the oil in the pan starts to ripple and emit a little smoke before cooking. Place the meat in the pan and turn down the heat to medium-high. Find out which pans work best in Cookware Types.
POSTGAME
Once the game is over on Sunday night and after your guests have thanked you for a great time, you still have to tackle cleanup. Enlist help from your family--don't let your significant other just lie there watching the highlights. Start by putting the food away, then load up the dishwasher. If you discover yours needs to go on the injured-reserve list, here's how to find a replacement. And if you think your vacuum won't be able to handle the postgame cleanup, read our buying advice.
Whether or not your team emerges victorious in Super Bowl XLII, at least your party will have you doing a victory dance.
We sought out some expert party-planning advice from Cat Cora, an Iron Chef on Food Network's "Iron Chef America" and an executive chef for Bon Appétit magazine. "My rule of thumb is you want to make mobile food that people can carry around," says Cora. Click here to find some of her recipes, including a few of those mentioned here.
PREGAME PREP
Some foods taste better when made one to two days in advance, such as salsa, hummus, and dips. Once those dishes are done, wrap them tightly with plastic wrap. (If a recipe calls for avocados, hold off adding them to those dishes until right before serving.) To make efficient use of refrigerator space, marinate meats in zip-lock bags, and use stackable plastic containers.
Don't buy cold wine, beer, and soda and store them at room temperature. Instead, buy drinks at room temperature and on the morning of the game, throw them in a cooler and cover with ice.
If your championship-game party proves your fridge is ready to retire, be sure to read our buying advice for this essential kitchen appliance.
MICROWAVES
"Don't put meats or rolls in the microwave because they become rubbery or hard," says Cora. "The more moisture a food has--baked beans, for example--the better it is for microwaving." To save time on game day, Cora also suggests that you roast a turkey or prime rib the night before the party, slice it the next morning then wrap it in plastic, and refrigerate.
If your microwave can't generate enough juice to heat up even a few chicken wings, perhaps it's time to replace it. Find out the latest news in microwaves here.
FOOD PROCESSORS AND BLENDERS
The food processor is an excellent timesaving kitchen tool. "Use your food processor to make hummus, chop garlic or onions," Cora says. "Pulse it, don't keep it running. I do a feta dip that's phenomenal--it takes two minutes." For more about food processors, read Slicing Through the Hype.
If you're looking for some easy and delicious recipes for food processors, sample our Recipes Fit for a Food Processor.
To make soups with a chunkier consistency, use a food processor, but for smoother soups, try a blender. Blenders also excel at mixing icy drinks. Find out how to choose a blender here.
GRILLS AND COOKWARE
If you're serving grilled food on Sunday, Cora suggests that you marinate beef or lamb a day in advance, though you should marinate chicken the morning of the party. Also avoid cooking fish and shrimp too far in advance. They can become rubbery, so don't grill them until your guests are ready to eat. If your grill is a rust bucket, maybe it's time to buy a new one. Read our buying advice for gas grills.
If your menu includes flank steaks or other quick-cooking meats, start off with a hot pan and you'll add lots of flavor to the food. To sear the meat, use high heat and wait until the oil in the pan starts to ripple and emit a little smoke before cooking. Place the meat in the pan and turn down the heat to medium-high. Find out which pans work best in Cookware Types.
POSTGAME
Once the game is over on Sunday night and after your guests have thanked you for a great time, you still have to tackle cleanup. Enlist help from your family--don't let your significant other just lie there watching the highlights. Start by putting the food away, then load up the dishwasher. If you discover yours needs to go on the injured-reserve list, here's how to find a replacement. And if you think your vacuum won't be able to handle the postgame cleanup, read our buying advice.
Whether or not your team emerges victorious in Super Bowl XLII, at least your party will have you doing a victory dance.
