Recipes For An Anti-Super Bowl Party

Video producer: Sandy Green of Helicon Media

Sports have never been my thing. I've never been a fan of any teams or cared to go to games. When I was in college, I attended a couple of sporting events because I discovered that I could use my meal plan at the concessions stand and I really liked the popcorn and cotton candy.

So this Sunday is the Super Bowl. I know the Giants are playing, but that's only because I live in New York. I'm not really sure of the other team though. I don't know who won the Super Bowl last year, and I was actually at the game. I was much more interested in the nachos, soft pretzels, and souvenir jars filled with Gummi Bears.

This weekend I won't be watching the big game. I'm inviting a few girlfriends over for an Anti-Super Bowl Party. There will be no sports talk, no beer, no testosterone. Instead, we'll be watching chick flicks, snacking on some special treats, and drinking rosé champagne.

Check out this video of my party planning along with some recipes below.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1391584825http://www.brightcove.com/channel.jsp?channel=1178199204

Caprese Flat Pie

14 ounces good quality frozen puff pastry (I love Dufour), thawed to package instructions

1/4 cup basil pesto

6 ounces fresh mozzarella, cut into 1/2-inch slices

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 Roma tomatoes, cut into 1/4-inch slices

1 large egg, lightly beaten

On a lightly floured surface, unfold the pastry dough, and use a floured rolling pin to roll into a rectangle of about 10 by 15 inches. Cut the rectangle in half, so that you have two 10 by 7 1/2 inch rectangles. Transfer the rectangles to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and refrigerate for about 20 minutes.

Spoon the pesto onto one of the rectangles, leaving a 1-inch border all around. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Top with slices mozzarella. Place the tomato slices on top of the cheese. Using a pastry brush, coat the 1-inch boarder of pastry with beaten egg. Lay the remaining rectangle of pastry over the filling and press gently to seal. Leave the pastry on the parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate another 20 minutes (or up to 2 hours).

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Using a small knife, trim the edges of the pastry. Using a pastry brush, coat the entire top of the pastry with the beaten egg. Gently cut five 3-inch vents in the top, being careful not to pierce the bottom layer.

Bake, rotating once, for about 35-40 minutes, until the crust is deep golden brown and the pastry has puffed. Using one or two spatulas, transfer the pie to a wire rack and let cool for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving. The pie also tastes great at room temperature.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Inactive Prep Time: 40 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Godiva Chocolate Raspberry Individual Trifles

1 (1 pound) pound cake

1/4 cup Godiva Original Chocolate liqueur

1 quart raspberries

2 cups whipped cream

3 Godiva Chocoiste Dark Chocolate Raspberry bars, coarsely chopped

Using a serrated knife, cut pound cake into 1 inch cubes. Place in a shallow dish and drizzle with liqueur. Let sit 5 minutes to allow liqueur to soak into cake.

Divide one half of the cake cubes among six martini glasses. Top with one half of raspberries and one half of whipped cream. Sprinkle with one half of chopped chocolate bars. Repeat layers using the remaining cake, raspberries, and whipped cream. Top each with remaining chopped chocolate bars.

Refrigerate one hour or overnight.

Comments

[CarolEM]

i woman after my own heart. I think it's a great idea a non-superbowl party. i really don't like sports either and if you have a group of girls that would rather watch chick flicks! i'd love to do that. since it's just me and my husband for superbowl sunday i watch it with him and he keeps me entertained. i'm aloud to ask any stupid question i want and he loves explaining it so it works out. we also bet on about 10-15 things even the commercials to keep me interested. like who wins the toss, who scores first, how many bud commercials...etc.. it makes it fun for a non-sports gal like myself. Great ideas!!! Liked the video idea alot! That joke about dating the french guy made me laugh.

[tazboo25]

As person striving daily for self actualization, I respect anyone's right to enjoy a nice evening of chick flicks during the super bowl or any other night. And, as a true football fan I actually can't stand super bowl parties because of the distractions (commercials included)going on enterfering with my enjoyment of the game. When my wife is watching her dvr episodes of Oprah,the View, What Not to Wear, Extreme Home Makeover or other programs targeted primarily to the female demograhic I don't cry about it. I don't belittle her. I am glad she can enjoy those shows. I can understand the emotional draw of those shows and how they appeal to women although I may not be able to fully relate and appreciate those programs. But, it's ok. I don't have to like all the same things she does. Those programs will not threaten, much less ruin my marriage. They will actually improve it because everyone has a chance to be happy instead of dictating someone else's viewing habits. No need to bash. I think it's more productive to recognize, appreciate differences, respect and support. And thanks; you have indirectly reminded me to place my online order for Godivas for VDay (wife loves them).Enjoy your party & recipes (And, I'm not being sacarstic; I really mean it).

[Schallvain]

I thought this would be a nice light-hearted blog to read. Wow was I wrong! I enjoy watching football. I also enjoy watching and playing futbol, hockey, lacrosse, and many other competitive sports. Because some enjoy something that you do not, please do not ridicule them for these "vices". I'm sure you enjoy many things they do not. All I can do is hope that those things bring the same enjoyment to you that I receive from watching and playing sports. As a side note, if this game is hurting your marriage, there is something more deeply wrong with your relationship than you are currently willing to admit. (Yes, I do have the credentials to say that).

[CEMan]

"Caprese Flat Pie"
YUK!!
Just have to screw up a good thing eh? Caprese is wonderful on it's own. It is all about the beauty of simplicity. No pesto or puffy pastry.
Also, In case you missed it, it is supposed to be the colors of the Italian flag.

[wildflowermaven]

Super Bowl parties aren't really about football. The ones I've been to, sure the game is on, but there is so much talking and noshing going on that few really watch the game. We may have turned our heads in that direction when a big play occurred, but its not the dedicated TV watching you imagine, at least not amongst people I know.

[thetaoofterri]

My husband and I do not watch professional or college sports on television.

We will, instead, be trying Katie's recipes and enjoying a quiet afternoon watching movies.

[RevMetheus]

I dont mind the idea of a party, and the recipes are decent, but why does it have to be an Anti-anything party? Should us football watching guys post blogs about anti-Academy Awards parties? Why not do what my mom and her friends do, call it a Ladies' Retreat, and be done with it. Do you really hate football and football fans so much that you need to be Anti-them?

More divisiveness is not what this country needs, and while its great to rally up the anger of the football widows and non-sports watchers, it really is unnecessary.

[badnfluence]

Wow Katie Lee Joel, you are such a cool, sassy nonconformist! I hope your upper middle class white friends enjoy your evening of chick flicks and talking about how much more enlightened you are than us mouth-breathing brutes who enjoy America's most popular sport. I wish I could be as cool as you!

[bostongreen]

oooooooooooooo how chic!!!

[Mykel]

As a gay man, I'm right with ya girl. I can't stand sports, especially male professional sports like football.

Not only do they send a dangerous message to our children, with white team owners owners and coaches overseeing African-American players, women literally on the sidelines, stereotypically cheerleading, Latinos and Asians almost completely absent and gays and lesbians nowhere to be found, but professional sports teams are rife with homophobia and, conversely, latent homosexuality.

Until sports teams are gender-integrated and openly gay men and lesbians are allowed to play, they should outlawed.

[blueshift]

What? You don't like watching the National Advertising League?

Not only am I a foorball fan, but a fan of The Other Team....and I haven't watched more than one hour in aggregate since November. There is more advertising time than actual playing time! Baseball moves along much faster.

So I will join you in an anti-superbowl party. Go Other Team. Let me know who wins.

[GetHappy]

Which chick flicks are the most anti-Super Bowl? This football-loathing 'mo wants to know.

[rini]

All hail Katie.

The anti-superbowl party is a great idea. I moved to the Philadelphia area several years ago and cannot believe the level of fanatic, conformist sports mania.

They look at me like I have two heads when I don't know what the score was after a recent game.

Well....They can bite me.

[ResistanceisFutile]

Anti Super Bowl?


Must be a commie!

[Liberalfrombirth]

I had to chuckle at your description of a girl's anti-superbowl party. What a great idea! I never cared for sports either, except as a way - in high school - to look cute for the boys in the stands as I sashayed to the food booth and back. In the 80's I somehow got hooked on the Redskins, and was in agony if I had to miss a game. But now...back to "Who cares?" These recipes sound very good, and not that difficult. Thanks for sharing.