Slow It Down Sunday! Super Bowl

My husband LOVES watching sports.  Sadly, he doesn't get much of a chance to watch many games.  Twice a year though, he makes sure that he gets a chance to watch a game or two.  Those two times are the Super Bowl and the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day.  The older girls and I try to make a big deal about it and we totally get down in the kitchen and cook up a storm for him.  Of course, we don't mind all the game day food either! =)

We spent our morning and early part of the afternoon at church and got home with plenty of time before kick-off.

Marco got comfy on the couch and the girls got him some chips and salsa and some Coke Zero.  I got started with the Shrimp Salad.  I served some of it on cucumber slices and some on slices of crusty baguettes. Huge hit!!  Then I started frying up the wings.  I did some Red Hot style as well as some Teriyaki, of course!!

After I got that going, it was time to try the Chicken Parmesan Bake that I found on Pinterest.

Everything tasted great - oh, did I mention that we followed it up with Brownie Bites, White Chocolate Chip Macadamia Nut Cookies and Coffee?  Yes, we did.  haha!

Better than all the food?  Pure family time.  The two little ones snuck way too many brownie bites and the girls and I had a wonderful time waiting on one of the hardest working men we know.  He deserves the best in this house!!  And lest somebody thinks that it's so old fashioned that we waited on him like that, I'll also have you know that when the game was over, he got up and made some great coffee and then served me. =)  It's all about balance and serving one another selflessly.  

Now onto the recipes, 'cause I know that's what you're waiting for...  most measurements are a rough estimate 'cause I don't usually measure.  I eyeball. hahaha.

Shrimp Salad

1 lb. Cooked/Peeled Shrimp and Chopped

2 Stalks Green Onions Chopped

1/4 cup Chopped Cilantro

4 Slices of Dill Pickle Chopped  (yes - that's what I used!)

3 Tbs. Light Hellman's Mayo

3 Tbs. Light Sour Cream (I would have preferred Greek Yogurt, but had none on hand)

Dash or Two of Garlic Salt

Mix all ingredients and chill.  Serve on slices of fresh cucumber or slices of crusty baguettes.

Hot Wings/Teriyaki Wings

5 lbs. Chicken Wings/Drumettes

Marinade chicken with: Crushed fresh garlic (about a tablespoon), Lawry's season salt, and about a teaspoon of Sogogi Dashida. This is a Korean soup stock powder that you can get at most Asian markets.  If you don't have it - skip it. =)  You can let it marinate for about half an hour.

Deep fry the wings in vegetable oil - temp should be about 375 degrees.  Should take about 10 minutes to cook fully.  Don't crowd the wings.

Drain on paper towel.

While wings are cooking, prepare 1/4 cup of butter and 1/2 bottle of Louisiana Hot Sauce in a sauce pan. Heat and stir making sure they are well blended.  Add cooked chicken wings and mix thoroughly being sure to coat evenly.

Serve with blue cheese or ranch dressing.  Celery sticks or cucumber slices are a good accompaniment to this dish.

For Teriyaki wings: follow all frying steps, but after draining, add to some teriyaki sauce that has been warmed on the stove - I used Kikkoman this time.  Serve!

Chicken Parmesan Bake  - this one was a recipe I found on Pinterest.  So I will just post the link.  =)

Ingredients: 

2 tbsp olive oil 
2 cloves garlic, crushed 
hot red pepper flakes, to taste 
6 boneless skinless chicken breasts (I used 5, but they were huge!) 
2 cups marinara sauce 
1/4 cup chopped basil 
8 oz mozzarella, shredded 
4 oz Parmesan, grated 
1 (5-oz) package garlic croutons

I didn't think the croutons went far enough so I added some stuffing mix that I had on hand. Added a bit of a sage flavor to it, but that was good too!  There is a video on the link that explains how to put it together!  Enjoy!!

Don't forget to slow it down.  Enjoy your family to the fullest and remember that each day you have with them is a gift.