An Elegant Super Bowl Affair

Tomorrow  millions of Americans will be awash in greasy chins and Doritos fuzz all over their fingers.Most see Super Bowl parties as an orgy in snacks and fun foods. However there are some foodie snobs out there who will balk  at the idea of heroes and pizza washed down with beer. There can be an elegant side to a Super Bowl party, It can be so elegant that you'll think you're at a Downton Abbey finale.

Sandwiches can be served but think elegant, not the overstuffed kind dripping with oil and cheese. Have homemade loaves of white bread cut , and crustless if you want to go that extra mile. Have fresh roast turkey , roast ham and roast beef along with chicken.(hiring a waiter  to do this is recommended so you can time chatting with your guests.) Also a whole cold chicken or turkey, sliced to what guests what is also a nice turn.Have little bowls of tarragon mayo and mustard around for guests to delicately slather on their sandwiches.Cucumber salad makes a nice change from potato and macaroni salad.It's an easy recipe with sliced cucumber dressed with a simple sour cream and dill dressing. You can sub in plain Greek yogurt for lighter fare.If you want to add a dash of the exotic then serve bruschetta on toasted Italian bread. Again this is so easy to make , with just coarsely chopping tomatoes and onions in a food processor , and then  adding some parsley and rosemary for flavor. The base is slices of Italian bread that has been brush with olive oil and rubbed with garlic cloves.A slice of prosciutto can be added for more flavor.

All SuperBowl games are usually away in beer and later there's some kind of drinking game that involve tequila. Rise above this with glasses of champagne served in elegant flutes. Champagne cocktails can also be served. This is placing a sugar cube well soaked in Angostura bitters at the bottom of a flute and then filling it with your best vintage. Garnish with a lemon or orange rind. Of course martinis are the ultimate sophisticated party drink. This is pouring 2  1/2 ounces of gin and 1/2 ounce of vermouth  into an iced filled mixing glass. Stir for a brief thirty seconds  and then strain into a chilled cocktail glass. You can garnish with the usual three olives or lemon wedge, depending upon your guests tastes. A variation is the Gibson , which is decorating the drink with a cocktail onion.Nibble foods should be on hand but not the usual greasy chips or guac. Think spicy nuts and savory shortbreads.The first is taking any kind of nut and lightly baking them with a light dusting of cumin or  finely ground chile powder (don't go too wild with the spices because they'll leave guests with stained fingers- an evening affair taboo). Shortbreads are baked the usual way but with less sugar and more grated Parmesan and rosemary added.


Yes. you can throw an elegant Super Bowl party. Make a roast , open up a few bottles of champagne and enjoy the game in a civilized manner. It's a different kind of fun and a different kind of taste.