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Creating a Super Feast

© Vickie McCorkendale

Dear Culinary Vixen
Help I have only four days to plan a Super Bowl feast. It's a fairly large party, we're expecting 30-50 people, including children. I need some ideas on how to feed a crowd... FAST!
Desperate in Northern California

Dear Desperate

Don't despair, get yourself organized and you shouldn't have a problem. For a Super Bowl event you really want foods that can sit around for a few hours and let people nosh as the game progresses. Hot plates and chafing dishes are ideal for this purpose. Pull them out of storage or borrow as needed, but keep that food hot to avoid food poisoning! When planning your menu consider soups, chile, stew and creative buffets. Most of these can be prepared ahead of time so your only job is to keep it hot and refresh the buffet when it's getting low.

A large party should have at least one (if not two in your case) beverage stations (or bars) separate from the area where you are serving food. You don't want everyone crowding the same spot during commercial breaks. Consider setting up an adult and children's bar separately.

Keep noshes spread throughout the house as well. It's best if people who only want a little bite of something don't have to walk to the kitchen to grab a handful of chips!

Here are some fun buffet ideas for a casual event to get you started on your menu:

• Fiesta Burrito/Taco Bar
• Spiced Chicken and Beef
• Ice Berg Lettuce with shredded carrot and cabbage
• Diced Green and Red Onion
• Shredded Jack and Cheddar Cheeses
• Chopped Tomato
• Diced Hot Peppers (Jalapenos or Serranos)
• Refried Beans
• Taco Shells, Large Flour Tortillas and Tortilla Chips
• Homemade Salsa
• Fresh Guacamole

Stuffed Potatoes

Baked Potatoes

Cheese Sauce

Steamed Broccoli Tops

Chili

Sour Cream

Diced Green Onions or Chives

Salsa

• Resolution Friendly Soup and Salad Bar
• Cut Fruits (melons, strawberries, pineapple, etc.)
• Greens (chopped ice berg, baby gourmet lettuces, torn spinach)
• Chopped Vegetables (tomatoes, green onions, carrots, etc.)
• Croutons,Nuts and Seeds
• 2-3 good quality salad dressings (homemade preferred)
• 3 or 4 good quality cheeses on a board with cheese knife
• 2-3 types of good bread/crackers
• 2-3 soups kept hot in crock-pots (homemade preferred)

• Chili for Everyone
• Spicy meat chili
• Mild meat chili
• Medium vegetarian chili
• Corn Bread, Tortilla Chips, Tortillas
• Sour Cream
• Chopped Chiles
• Onion Relish (red, white and green onions with lime juice and sugar)

• Mile High Sandwich Bar
• Assorted breads and rolls
• Sliced quality meats (turkey, beef, pastrami, Italian cold cuts)
li>Cooked Bacon
• Sliced cheeses (provolone, cheddar, jack)
• Roasted/Grilled onions, peppers and eggplant
• Shredded lettuce
• Thinly sliced tomatoes
• Mustard, Mayonnaise, Thousand Island, talian Dressing, etc.

• Super Foods for the Super Bowl
• Chicken Wings with Blue Cheese and Celery

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