Ask A Minnesota Expert: Best Recipes For Super Bowl Sunday

For many, one of the most anticipated Sundays of the year is right around the corner. The Super Bowl can be as much about the food as it is about the actual game. Don't fumble in the kitchen with the wrong football snacks. Whip up these delicious recipes from Minnesota's own Chef Ted Hallson and your food will get as much fanfare as those buzzed-about plays, commercials and halftime performances.

Chef Ted Hallson 
Chef De Cuisine
1161 Wayzata Blvd. E, Suite 98
Wayzata, MN 55391
(763) 525-1700
www.cheftedmn.com

Chef Ted Hallson is a Twin Cities favorite for those planning events with exceptional food and personalized service. His culinary background has taken him to New York, Chicago and back to his hometown of Orono, where he and his wife, Jill, now base their catering company, Chef De Cuisine. In addition to Super Bowl parties, Chef Ted caters a variety of events, including elegant sit-down dinners, corporate meetings and outdoor buffets. For a seriously food-centric day like the Super Bowl, we've drafted Chef Ted to help you get your menu game-ready with the following recipes.

Spinach Artichoke Dip

• 1 c. spinach chopped
• 1 1/2 c. chopped artichoke hearts
• 6 oz. cream cheese
• 1/4 c. sour cream
• 1/4 c. mayo
• 1/3 c. grated Parmesan
• 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. garlic powder

Directions:

1. Heat cream cheese in microwave until soft and hot
2. Mix rest of the ingredients well and add to cream cheese
3. Serve warm with chips and/or crostini

Seven Layer Dip

• 1 can refried beans
• 1 small can of green chilies
• 1/2 lb. ground beef (cooked with the fat drained)
• 2 tbsp. taco mix (can add more to taste)
• 8 oz. sour cream
• 1 c. salsa
• 1 c. guacamole
• 2 c. cheese
• 1 small head of lettuce (shredded)
• 1 green onion (cut up)
• 1 small can of black olives

Directions:

1. Combine refried beans and green chilies and spread in bottom of a glass 8x8 square pan
2. Mix ground beef and taco seasoning and spread on top of beans
3. Spread guacamole on top of beef
4. Spread sour cream on top of guacamole
5. Pour salsa over sour cream
6. Sprinkle lettuce on top of sour cream
7. Sprinkle cheese on top of lettuce
8. Top with green onion and black olives
9. Serve with tortilla chips

Sausage Stuffed Mushroom Caps

• 24 white mushroom caps with stems taken off
• 1/4 c. raisins
• 8 large green olives pitted
• 1/4 c. pine nuts toasted
• 2 handfuls of flat leaf parsley
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 1 lb. Italian sausage
• 3/4 c. grated pecorino
• 1 egg
• 1 c. panko crumbs
• Salt, pepper and red pepper flakes to taste

Directions:

1. Chop raisins, olives, pine nuts and parsley and mix together in large bowl
2. Add sausage, egg, 1/2 c. of the cheese, panko, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Mix by hand.
3. Roll meatballs. Make sure that they are bite size and not too big. Then place in mushroom cap
4. Oil a sheet pan with sides or a dish big enough to hold all the mushroom caps and place stuffed mushroom caps in the pan with the cap side down
5. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 c. of the cheese
6. Bake for 20 minutes in a 400-degree oven

Related: Best Bars In Minnesota That Opened In 2015

Jamaican Jerk Baked Chicken Wings

• 1 onion, chopped
• 2/3 c. finely chopped scallion
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1/2 tsp. dried thyme, crumbled
• 1 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 1/2 tsp. ground allspice
• 1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 c. minced fresh jalapeño pepper or to taste (wear rubber gloves)
• 1 tsp. black pepper
• 6 drops of Tabasco or to taste
• 2 tbsp. soy sauce
• 3 tbsp. hoisin sauce
• 1/4 c. sesame oil
• 1/4 c. fresh lime juice
• 18 chicken wings (about 3 1/4 pounds), the wing tips cut off and reserved for another use

Directions:

1. In a food processor or blender, purée all the ingredients minus the chicken wings.
2. In a large shallow dish, arrange the wings in one layer and spoon the marinade over them, rubbing it in (wear rubber gloves)
3. Let the wings marinate while covered and chilled for at least 1 hour or preferably overnight, turning them once
4. Arrange the wings in one layer on non-stick foiled sheet pan and spoon the marinade over them
5. Bake the wings in the upper third of a preheated 425°F oven for 35-45 minutes or until they are cooked through

 Pork, Beef And Black Bean Chili 

• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 lb. ground pork
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 lb. chuck steak, fat trimmed and cut into 1/2 in. cubes
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 c. water
• 2 Tbsp. ground cumin
• 2 Tbsp. chili powder
• 2 tsp. dried oregano
• 2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. cayenne pepper
• (3) 6 oz. cans tomato paste
• 2 tsp. sugar
• 3 c. diced fresh tomatoes
• 3 c. diced onions
• 1 c. diced red bell peppers
• 1 c. diced green bell pepper
• 1 c. diced yellow bell pepper
• 3 c. canned black beans, drained and rinsed (from three 15 oz. cans)
• 1 c. chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 3/4 c. beef broth (approx.)
• Grated cheddar cheese
• Sour cream
• Chopped green onions
• Sliced fresh jalapeños

Directions:

1. Heat olive oil in a heavy large pot over medium-high heat
2. Add ground pork and ground beef and sauté until brown, about 3 minutes
3. Add cubed beef and garlic and sauté 5 minutes
4. Add 2 c. water and bring to boil
5. Add cumin, chili powder, oregano, salt, and cayenne pepper
6. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 10 minutes
7. Add tomato paste and sugar and simmer 5 minutes
8. Add tomatoes, onions, and peppers and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes
9. Add black beans and cilantro to chili
10. Add beef broth 3/4 c. at a time, until thinned to desired consistency.
11. Bring chili to simmer; (If preparing ahead, refrigerate uncovered until cold, then cover and keep refrigerated up to one day until ready to serve)
12. Ladle hot chili into bowls; top with grated cheddar cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, fresh sliced jalapeños and serve.

Related: Best Fried Cheese In Minnesota

Cortney Mohnk is a freelance writer covering all things Minnesota. She is also a public relations and event planning professional. Her most important job is mother to her young son and daughter, who are her partners-in-crime when checking out the family entertainment scene in the Twin Cities. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.