Are you ready for some football? Of course you are! You’ve spent your last three paycheques on your 80” HD big screen, you splurged to get the HDPVR so that you can get the American commercials, had your tech-savvy buddy set up your surround sound, and you spent hours strategically placing the living room furniture to ensure everyone has the optimum view, the stage is set! This year’s game surely won’t disappoint either. With the powerful offense of Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos facing the impenetrable defense of Seattle Seahawks, equipped with the support of their 12^th man, it is sure to be a thriller. Half time entertainment should pack a punch too with the likes of Bruno Mars and The Red Hot Chilli Peppers taking the stage. Let’s be honest though, most years, it’s the overly expensive commercials that steal the show.  I’ll be honest, seeing Tom Brady lose to Peyton Manning felt like my own little Superbowl victory. Tom’s got enough already, chiselled good looks, Superbowl rings, super model wife, and countless lucrative sponsorship deals. That guy has won the lottery more than enough for one lifetime!

Nobody’s asking me to share my “highly skilled” knowledge about football though. What I can help you with is a little advice on how to feed your gridiron guests. After all, you’ve spent all this time and money planning, you wouldn’t want to blow it by serving stale chips and cold take-out pizza that tastes like the cardboard box it was delivered in. This year, it’s time your menu lives up to the rest of your Super Bowl experience.

So, the real question you need to ask yourself is, are you ready to make some great eats for the big game? With Super Bowl 48 just mere days away it’s time to put the finishing touches on the feast you intend on serving. You don’t need to be Martha Stewart or break the bank to do so either. Whip up a tasty batch of chilli. It requires maybe 30 minutes of preparation and once it’s going, throw it in the slow cooker and don’t worry about it until halftime. Sex up your nachos by making some delicious pulled pork to throw on top. Again, the slow cooker will do most of the work, and your guests will thank you for it. Take a few minutes to peruse my website https://chefpaulshufelt.com for lots of delicious and simple to make dishes to spice up your Superbowl munchies.

One delicious dish you can try are these tasty steak tacos. They will satisfy the hunger of even the largest of linebackers at your party! I will also share a few pointers for making these as simple or as elaborate as you choose.

Chipotle Lime Steak Tacos

Prep Time: 20-60 minutes

Inactive Marinating Time: 1 hour

Cooking Time: 12-15 minutes

Tools Required: BBQ

Makes: about 24 tacos

 

3 lbs.                       striploin steak, about 4 (you can use sirloin for cost savings)

4 tbsp.                                     chipotle peppers in adobo sauce

1 ea.                        lime, juice only

½ cup                    canola oil

¼ cup                     BBQ sauce, sweeter variety, not too smoky

¼ bunch              fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped (serve the rest as condiments)

½ stalk                 green onion, chopped

1 tbsp.                                     minced garlic

1 tbsp.                                     honey

TT                             S&P

 

1 lb.                         aged white cheddar (could also use Monterey jack, jalapeno Havarti)

½ head                 cabbage, shredded (or you can buy shredded cabbage)

2 cups                    pico  de gallo (fresh salsa, recipe is on my website, or use a jar)

1 cup                      sour cream

1 cup                      pickled jalapenos

1 recipe                pickled red onions (optional, recipe is on my website!)

24 ea.                     soft tortillas (I like flour, but you can use corn, or even hard tacos)

3 ea.                        limes, cut into wedges

1 bottle                 Valentina or your favourite hot sauce

 

• If preparing the pickled red onions, start by preparing them
• Place the chipotles on a cutting board and coarsely chop
• In a bowl combine chipotle peppers, lime juice, canola oil, BBQ sauce, fresh cilantro, green onion, minced garlic, and honey
• Whisk thoroughly to combine
• Place the steaks in a large enough dish to contain them
• Pour the marinade over the steaks and work it in, turning the steaks over to ensure they are evenly coated
• Allow to marinade for 1-2 hours
• Grate the cheese
• If preparing the pico de gallo prepare it now
• Place the shredded cabbage in a serving bowl
• Place the cheese in a serving bowl
• Place the pico de gallo in a serving bowl
• Place the pickled red onions and pickled jalapenos in serving bowls
• Preheat the BBQ to high
• Once the BBQ is hot place the steaks on
• Allow to cook with the lid closed 3-4 minutes, watching for flare up, you want some char, but you don’t want blackened steaks
• Flip over and continue to cook until nearing medium, about 8-12 minutes, depending on the thickness of your steaks and the temperature of your BBQ
• When the steaks are just about ready turn one half of the BBQ off, leaving the steaks to finish on the one side
• Using tongs, place the soft tortillas on the side of the BBQ that is turned off
• Allow them to lightly grill and warm through, 30-60 seconds, then flip
• Remove the steaks and tortillas from the grill
• Once inside, place the steaks on a cutting board and allow to rest one minute
• Meanwhile, place the tortillas in your oven, don’t even worry about turning it on, you just don’t want them to cool off too much
• Very thinly slice the steaks
• Serve the steak and tacos immediately with the shredded cabbage, pico de gallo, cheese, pickled red onion, and pickled jalapenos
• Serve with some Valentina or your favourite hot sauce and some lime wedges
• Let your guests build their own tacos as you sit back and bask in the glory of a well made half time meal!

 

Oh, and Go Broncos Go!

 

Who’s hungry?