SUPERBOWL SUNDAY FOOD!!!

Ok, so we're excited because the Saints won.....GEAUX SAINTS!!!!!  What a game....phew......and the crowds were insane here in NOLA.  What a crazy night....

Anyway, I made some food for our game watching: Chili, party mix, and my marzipan balls. Along with some raw turnips and red peppers to snack on.

I actually cooked my own kidney beans that morning. Yes, I'm proud of myself. Is that sad??  I usually buy canned beans, so I was impressed with myself.  (Shhhh....I still used one can of beans in the chili)

Tanya's Bean Chili:

3-4 cups cooked kidney beans
1 can mixed beans (pinto & Great Northern, although most other beans are fine)
2 10-oz cans original Rotel tomatoes
1 cup crushed/pureed tomatoes
1 15-oz can corn (I used Fiesta corn)
1 onion, chopped
4 stalks celery, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
1/2 pint white button mushrooms, sliced
2 tsp minced garlic
1 tbsp cumin seeds
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
3 tsp chipotle powder (or to taste)
3 tsp chili powder (ok, I kind of just pour it on...so I'm not sure of the measurement)
onion powder, salt, pepper
fresh cilantro

Put 1/4 cup water in a large soup pot/stock pot.  Add the onions and celery.  Saute until soft.  Add the garlic and stir. Let cook for a minute. Add the mushrooms and peppers.  Saute for another 5 minutes or so.  You may have to keep adding water (1/4 cup at a time) so it doesn't stick to the pot.  Add the cumin seeds and stir.  Add in the all the tomatoes and beans. Then add the spices and stir.  Let cook on medium heat for a few minutes.  Taste and season as needed.  Add the tomato paste and mix well. Add in some chopped cilantro if using. Turn down the heat and let simmer for 15 minutes or so...or longer if you want it a bit thicker.  Serve over brown rice, garnished with fresh cilantro.

My own tip for next time: add more crushed tomatoes and more cocoa (go ahead, try it).

I made some awesome party mix for snacking during the game, because well.......isn't that normal game food?? I guess I don't really know because I don't normally watch games :)  You can find the Party Mix here. It's a great mix of sweet and salty!

And for dessert, I made my Marzipan Balls, covered in chocolate of course.  They were eaten quickly.
Of course we can't forget the beer.  Our friend, Josh, brought some Sierra Nevada Kellerweis and it was so good.  Also had a Schlafly Coffee Stout: good stuff.

Wow ok....it's been quite a week with this big win and all.  New Orleans is just really crazy right now, between the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras!

Eat smart,
T.