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I’ve watched .30 football games this season, but I’m keenly aware of how fun it can be to host or attend a Superbowl party. Who doesn’t enjoy good food, drinks, and friends? Oh yeah, and the game is on. If you are having folks over or going to a Superbowl party, what is your favorite dish to prepare?

Tip: Eighty percent of people plan to watch the Superbowl from home this year.

I like to make baked brie. It’s one of those “fancy” dishes that takes 10 minutes of work. Here’s how:

1. Buy a round of brie (keep rind on) and a rectangular package of pastry dough from the frozen food aisle (often near frozen pie crusts).

2. Preheat your oven to 350. Roll out one sheet of pastry dough so it is a little thinner than it started.

3. Wrap the dough around the brie, cutting away excess dough so that the folds overlap about an inch. Flip the brie over so the dough seam is on the bottom and place it on a baking dish. I like to cut a shape (like a football) out of the excess dough and place it on the top of the brie so it looks extra festive. At Christmastime I’ll cut out a holly leaf or candy cane.

4. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until dough is golden brown. Serve when very warm with slices of baguette or crackers.

Tip: You can flavor the brie with pesto, cranberry sauce, tapenade (mashed olives), jam, or another filling. Before you wrap the brie, cut it through the middle so you have two full circles. Spread the filling thickly, put the two halves back together so it looks like new, and continue with step three. Here is a variation with brown sugar and apple slices that sounds AWESOME.

If you want a more traditional Superbowl spread, the discount grocery chain Save-A-Lot claims you can feed a small gathering of friends for less than $25. The menu includes:

• Senora Verde Tortilla Chips ($.99) and Senora Verde Salsa ($1.49)
• J. Higgs Potato Chips ($2.49) and Coburn Farms French Onion Dip ($1.29)
• Shaner’s Wings ($7.99) with Kurtz’s Hot Wing Sauce ($1.29)
• Crockpot Chili with (2 pounds Ground Chuck @ $3.98, Marcum Chili Seasoning @ $.33, 1 Can Diane’s Garden Diced Tomatoes @ $.65, 1 Can Diane’s Garden Tomato Paste @ $.39, 1 can Wylwood Chili Beans @ $.65)
• Ginger Evans Home Baked Brownies ($1.39)
• Bubba Red or Blue, Mountain Holler Howl (an alternative to Mountain Dew)/ ($1.38)

The total cost is $24.81. Spend a few pennies more and use this $5 off $25 Save-A-Lot coupon when you sign up for their email club.

Tagged: baked brie, easy appetizer, frugal superbowl party, recipes, supebowl party, superbowl, superbowl menu, superbowl recipes on Wednesday, February 2, 2011 · 1 Comment »