Here it comes. Another Super Bowl Sunday. Gatherings all over the country will be taking place; loud, cheering groups of football fanatics will be rooting for San Francisco or Baltimore and working up huge appetites for both touchdowns and groaning platters of food. We'll get to the food in a few minutes. First, a bit of intrigue and hocus pocus.
As with all things highly competitive, superstitions abound during this grandfather of all playoffs. Lucky game day food, stock market predictions and animal behavior all have their places in the annual speculation and chatter about who will win and who will lose. This year's game will be held in New Orleans, which brings us to this year's speculative superstition.
CBS Sports reported yesterday that the San Francisco 49ers will be staying at New Orleans' Marriott Hotel on Canal Street. Okay. It's a gorgeous hotel. How in the world could the choice of these luxurious lodgings possibly hold any controversy or intrigue? It seems that five college teams that played in bowl games over the last couple of years also stayed at this hotel. All of them won their games. Ah ha! Could this possibly be the reason that the 49ers chose this location? If so, will it assure them this year's Super Bowl victory? Who knows? We do know that the 49ers will have a great restaurant to enjoy while they're there. Restaurant 5fifty5 features delicious fare, such as Lobster Mac and Cheese and Jumbo Scallops with a warm white bean salad and a citrus gastrique. We know that you have neither the time nor the inclination to duplicate this gourmet fare for the wild and wooly party ahead. The following is a list of 3 fast food specials which will feed the crowd, along with our recipe for warm white bean salad to add your own personal touch, found at the end of this writing.
For chicken lovers, KFC is offering game day buckets and boxes. Buckets consist of 8 pieces of chicken, 8 hot wings and 10 Original Recipe bites for $19.99. Boxes consist of one piece of chicken and your choice of 6 bites or 3 hot wings, one side dish and a medium drink for $4.99. If Mexican food is your pleasure, Chipotle Mexican Grill is offering it's "Super Bowl Game Party in a Box" special. Order six or more "Burritos by the Box" for Sunday's game. On your next visit, present your receipt and receive a free burrito, burrito bowl, salad or order of tacos. Check the link for complete details and maximum orders. Finally, Pizza Hut is offering it's Big Dinner Box for game day. it includes two medium sized, one topping pizzas, 5 bread sticks and your choice of their Tuscany Pasta, Pizza Rollers or 8 hot wings for $19.99.
Yes, we know. It's fast food. So to spruce up your selections, here is our recipe for a delicious warm white bean and arugula salad. Even the most rabid football fan will stop and take notice....
Warm White Bean and Arugula Salad
- 8 cups of arugula, washed and dried
- 1 medium sized red onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves of finely minced garlic
- 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil
- 1/3 cup of chicken broth
- 1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup of fresh chopped parsley
- 2-15 ounce cans of white beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 ounce of thinly sliced prosciutto, cut into thin strips
- salt and pepper to taste
In a medium skillet, cook the prosciutto until crisp. Drain on paper towels and set aside. Using the same skillet, add the olive oil and saute the onion and garlic until the onion is soft. Add the beans and heat through. Add the lemon juice, parsley, salt and pepper and combine all of the ingredients thoroughly. Place the arugula in a large bowl, add the bean mixture and toss well. Top with the crisp prosciutto and dig in. This recipe serves 6, so you may want to think about doubling it. Have a terrific game day!
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