Introduction by Louis S. Luzzo, Sr. 

This year, with the Super Bowl in our backyard here in Florida, we began to think about Super Bowl parties and, of course, us being us, our thoughts immediately turned to food and the 'usual' fare that is common at most parties that you host or that you might attend. Items like chips and dip, pigs in a blanket, pretzels, chili, hot wings, etc.. Funny, when two people are on the same wavelength, sometimes, you can actually see the lightbulb pop up over each other's head simultaneously.

That is indeed what happened to the Elaine and I, as we sang out in stereo "A Gourmet Girl Super Bowl Menu!" At that moment we decided to do a kicked up, outside the box, gourmet version, replacing what has become the norm at most Super Bowl affairs. We then immediately embarked on a fascinating, month long journey of research, discovery and yes, even creation, of mouth watering alternatives that we could share with you so that your party this year is talked about in the annals of Super Bowl party lore.

Elaine is the mastermind and the chef behind most of these creations. A few were gleaned from a friends, family and of course for dessert, we hit up our two guru's here, Paw and Ingo. I happily helped by being annoying and offering up my services as the 'taste test subject' while she baked, steamed and fried. No doubt about it, there are lots of perks to being the "Gourmet Guy's guy!" In my inimitable style of "too much is never enough and nothing is over the top," I started talking like that NFL Films guy, you know the one, that fellow with the deep voice that Chris Berman always imitates on ESPN, saying "In the culinary tundra of Gourmet Guy's Kitchen...." and I also started to incessantly hum the now famous NFL Films highlight reel music:

 "Dun ta da dun ta dun da da da da, Dun ta da dun ta dun da da da da...       (feel free to hum along)

Well, that was until Elaine threatened to do me bodily harm with a spatula and started yelling something about what she was going to do to me with a meat thermometer if I didn't stop. Okay, okay!  Maybe I got a bit carried away. And, I have to admit, it was hard to get all those samples into my mouth with a helmet on. 

We believe that we have come up with a winning game plan and menu that is both fun and elegant, and should you choose to tee up and kick off these dishes to your party guests, we would love to hear from you and get your feedback as to how they were recieved. (Look.....it's the Super Bowl here folks and a gratuitous overuse of football terminology is completly allowable according to the rulebook governing the media as written by the NFL rules committee.) Ok.. even if it isn't, just play along like you understand.

We tried to come up with dishes that can be made ahead of time and simply be reheated the day of the game. That way, when it's time for kickoff, you can enjoy your guests and the game without being stuck in the kitchen, while still wowing them and getting high fives for your culinary acumen.  To access the recipes for the menu, just click on its title below, and you will be redirected to detailed ingredients and instructions.  

If your team makes it to the game this year, good luck. As for Elaine and myself, we have decided to stick to the food portion of your 'Super' day, and have not included directions as to where you can  get body paint, should you be the type that needs to adorn some part of your anatomy in the colors of your team. If that is your forte, than you probably bought it already anyway and we'll leave you to sort out your own issues. Remember fan is short for fanatic! We are foodies.... and that is short for....well.....okay..... it's not really short for anything, but you know what I mean.

Enjoy!

Lou

The Gourmet Girl Magazine 2009 Super Bowl Menu     ~Mascarpone Gorgonzola Cheese Balls Fresh Basil Leaves        ~Bacon Wrapped Dates Applewood Smoked Bacon, Manchego Cheese         ~Mexican Wontons  Taco Seasoning, Spicy Salsa, Sour Cream         ~Indian Spiced Wontons Curry, Cumin, Spicy Mango Chutney         ~Braised Lion Heads Braised Asian Flavored Pork & Shrimp Balls with Water Chestnuts & Dry Sherry       ~Grandma Mella's Vinegar Shrimp Old Bay, Red Wine Vinegar, Garlic and Oregano         ~Pulled Pork Saffron Speckled Wraps Cardamom and Fenugreek Seed Rub         ~Chorizo Shrimp Adobo Pot Pie Fennel Seed Pastry, Applewood Smoked Bacon      Dessert     ~Organic Cheesecake Three Ways  Fresh Fruit, Oreo Cookie Crumbs, Eggnog Sauce       ~Chocolate Pita Chips with Passion Dip  Passion Fruit Puree, Dark Chocolate       ~Aztec Chocolate Ravioli Cookies Bing Cherries, Blackberries, Cayenne Powder