ROYAL TART – Forum/Blog

The Big Game–Superbowl XLIII

(That’s 43 to you and me)

Unless you live under a rock, you probably know Superbowl is big even if you don’t follow football. However, do you know that 1 billion people around the world watch the event and that approximately 150 million people in America will watch it this year? Do you know that Superbowl is the second largest US food consumption day right behind Thanksgiving? Most importantly, when it comes to planning a party do you know when and where the big game is being held?

The all important details to help you plan your big game bash: This year the Big Game will be played in Tampa Bay, Florida on Sunday February 1 between the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Superbowl will be sponsored by Bridgestone and Bruce Springsteen is headlining the half time show. Who needs that trivia you may ask? Well, I used these details while planning the Royal Tart Big Game Bash. I have come up with 3 themes which are, perhaps, a different take on the traditional football game faire.

For the first party theme, how about a Tire or Race car type theme? I know this is a stretch for a football game but since the Superbowl is sponsored by Bridgestone this year and you will see plenty of Bridgestone advertising you might want to incorporate the theme into your Big Game Party. I think this theme is especially fun if you have small children attending as they are not going to be watching the game so can provide some fun activities like toss the bean bag through a tire or pin the wheel on the race car. For a fun addition on the table you could include chocolate donuts (my husband’s idea). Take the donuts a step further and have the kids decorate each donut tire to their liking. You could justify spending time and money on this theme by throwing a Daytona 500 party on February 15. Most of your hard work could be stored for a fortnight and used again during race day.

The second theme is based around the half time celebration. Again, not a theme specifically tied to football but we all know that unless your team is playing in the Superbowl the game is an afterthought so why not throw a Superbowl Party with a Bruce Springsteen theme or a Jersey Shore theme? You could play music from Jersey artists like Bruce and Bon Jovi and you could serve food inspired by the jersey shore. You know boardwalk food, how about a steamed lobster for a very special treat-you could cook up a traditional lobster pot with corn and potatoes and whole lobster. If you aren’t feeling so extravagant how about some hot dogs, frozen custard sprinkled with jimmies and salt water taffy (did you know salt water taffy was invented in New Jersey in 1870?).

Lastly, my favorite of the three themes, Florida! Florida because the game is in Tampa Bay and it would be great to feel a bit like you were in Florida especially when it is cold and snowing outside. If the game really is secondary to the celebration, invite your guests to wear Hawaiian print shirts or their old Florida T-shirts they acquired while on spring break in Florida. Decorate the house with palm trees or palm tree cutouts. Give everyone a lei when they arrive. Have fun with the decorating. This isn’t a formal event so go for kitsch. As for menu, I again go with have fun. Think of foods you have enjoyed while on vacation in Florida or the Caribbean.

Royal Tart’s Suggested Buffet Menu

Since it is a football party and people will be grazing through the whole game we suggest you lay the table with all the food at once or serve some early in the game and save the main course for half time. Don’t try to serve sit down courses-it is a football celebration after all.

Pre-Game Cocktails
Fresh Key Lime Margarita’s
Tequila Sunrise with Fresh Florida OJ
And plenty of ice cold beer
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Kick Off
Fried Conch with Chile Lime Mayo–I just cam across what looks to be a great recipe in the December Bon Appetit Magazine (the issue with the towering cake on the cover).
Black Bean, Feta & Corn Salsa–I will post this recipe as soon as I get this blog posted and the Newsletter published. If you want to receive the Newsletter Subscribe Here
Peel & Eat Shrimp with Spicy Sauce
Deviled Crab with Hot Sauce
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Half Time
Arroz Con Pollo
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The Final Kick
Key Lime Bars
Café Con Leche

Of course if none of these themes leave you inspired you can always throw a traditional Superbowl party or use the actual teams for inspiration.

Whatever you do enjoy the Superbowl!

Cheers,
Tricia