Today's Journal

Hosting a Super Bowl Party ~ February 5

The Super Bowl is a perfect opportuntity for easy entertaining.  A group of friends and family,  excited about a great American game that we all watch together on TV.  In fact, it is one of the most popular parties of the year...whether you like football or not!  

Buffets are really the only way to serve.  It is easy for everyone to make a plate...at their leisure...and bring it back to their seat in front of the TV.  Food is generally a bit messy...pizza, wings, chili, chips and dips and beer.  

A beautiful acrylic coated cotton tablecloth is the perfect backdrop for your buffet.  They are the easiest care tablecloth, you simply wipe clean with a damp sponge. It is actually hard to tell they are anything more than a cotton jacquard tablecloth...until there is a spill!

You can find some great hints for planning your party here!

One of my favorite recipes is a wonderful vegetarian chili from the Eat-Clean Diet Cookbook.  It is easy to prepare ahead of the game and healthy.  A perfect way to start the New Year!

Vegetarian Chili Recipe
Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons toasted cumin seeds
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, peeled and chopped
• 1 large red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 large carrot, peeled and grated
• 1 head roasted garlic (recipe follows)
• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• sea salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
• 1 cup canned white kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup canned great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup canned red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup canned corn kernels, rinsed and drained
• 2 1/2 cups water or low-sodium vegetable stock
• 2 teaspoons crumbled, dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons crumbled, dried basil
• 4 squares dark (75% or more cocoa) organic chocolate
• 28 oz. canned tomatoes
• juice of one fresh lime
• juice of one fresh lemon

 Preparation:
1.      In a Dutch oven, warm olive oil over medium heat.  Add onion, pepper, and grated carrot and sauté until onion becomes soft and translucent.  Stir in chili powder, toasted cumin seeds, red pepper flakes, sea salt and black pepper.  Cover and cook over low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2.      Add all remaining ingredients.  Blend well.  Cover and let simmer for 20 minutes.  Remove from heat and serve immediately.  This recipe can be served over brown rice for a hearty variation.  Leftovers are perfect in a wrap. 

 *TIP
To toast cumin seeds: place seeds in a skillet and warm over medium heat until you begin to smell the spices.  Shake the pan vigorously so the seeds don’t stick and burn.  Remove from heat and set aside.

 Nutritional Value Per Serving (6 servings):
Calories: 329 │ Calories from fat: 72│ Protein: 15g │ Carbs: 56g│ Dietary fiber: 15g │Sugars: 9g │ Fat: 8g│ Sodium: 1190mg

Tags: football, Super Bowl, tablecloths, entertain