Super Snacks for a Super Bowl Party

On February 6, more Americans will be glued to their televisions than on any other day of the year. If you are a football fan, then you know we are talking about the Super Bowl. If you are a foodie, you might also be interested to know that Super Bowl Sunday is the second-largest day for U.S. food consumption, after Thanksgiving. That means that for many Americans, the year's greatest football showdown is all about the snacking.

Having people over to watch the Super Bowl is a party where everyone wins. Football fans can huddle around the TV, everyone else can hover around the chips and dip. Here are some tips and recipes to make sure your Super Bowl party goes off without a fumble.

• Keep it simple: Some gatherings are perfect for culinary experimentation, but for the Super Bowl it's best to keep the nibbles classic. Bust out the nachos. Save the salmon en croute for another time.
  
  

• Make dishes ahead: Even if the food is the main attraction, there's no need to spend game time in the kitchen. Make dishes ahead of time so you can enjoy the company and root for your team.
  
  

• Snacks, snacks, snacks: From bowls of spiced nuts to chips and dip to hot wings, Super Bowl eating is all about snacking. Make lots of little dishes to serve during the game and you might not even need to make a main course!
  
  

• Allow guests to do their own meal assembly: If you're looking to keep your work in the kitchen to a minimum and your time in front of the game to a maximum, try letting guests dress their own meals. Fajitas, tacos, chili with all the toppings, and even make-your-own pizza are all great ways to take the pressure off yourself and show your guests a good time.
  
  

• Pick food that goes well with beer: Beer is the unofficial beverage of the Super Bowl, so try to make foods that pair particularly well with suds: hot and spicy foods, salty foods, and lots of different ethnic cuisines.