Homemade Guacamole and Chicken Meatballs for Super Bowl

On Feb. 3, Super Bowl Sunday XLVII will commence. Some people look forward to the game, the funny commercials and the halftime show (Destiny’s Child reunion!). But others are solely there for the wings, the nachos and the pizza—and rightfully so.

There’s something about Super Bowl food that gives the day an almost Thanksgiving-like aura. Both events boast a big, communal meal—except on Super Bowl Sunday, it’s usually deep fried and covered in Buffalo sauce.

In Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill and Boerum Hill there are plenty of local places that offer catering, and many restaurants that have special Super Bowl menus.

But if you’d rather whip something up yourself, try these two easy recipes:

Wendy’s "Super Easy" Super Bowl Guacamole

Ingredients:

•    1 bag of ripe avocados (4) from Trader Joe’s
•    1 container of fresh salsa from Trader Joe’s (spiciness to taste)
•    1 – 3 large cloves of garlic, pressed or finely chopped
•    1 tsp ground cumin
•    1 bag of tortilla chips 

Directions:

1. Peel and pit avocados.
2. Mash avocados in a non-metal bowl (if one or more of them seems a wee bit under-ripe, chop instead of mashing).
3. Drain the fresh salsa well (I usually use the lid to squish the salsa down and pour the liquid into the sink) and add to mashed avocados.
4. Add the pressed or chopped garlic and the cumin.
5. Mix well, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use.

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Buffalo Chicken Meatballs (adapted from Rachael Ray) - makes 32 balls

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs ground white meat chicken
• 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, pressed or finely chopped
• 1 cup cilantro or parsley, chopped
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
• 4 Tbsp (1/2 stick) butter
• 1 cup hot sauce (such as Frank’s or Cholula)
• 3 scallions, green and white parts thinly sliced
• Store-bought, good quality blue cheese dressing for dipping
• 1 bag pre-cut celery sticks
• 1 bag pre-cut carrot sticks

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400ºF.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken with the onion, garlic and cilantro or parsley, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
3. Shape chicken mixture into balls—you should have 32 meatballs in total.
4. Arrange meatballs on a wire rack on a foil-covered sheet pan and drizzle with olive oil.
5. Bake until cooked through and golden brown, about 10-12 minutes.
6. While meatballs are baking, melt butter in a large, flat bottom pan over medium heat.
7. Add hot sauce and whisk to combine.
8. In the pan, toss baked meatballs in the hot sauce to coat (you may do this in batches) and transfer to a serving platter.
9. Place the blue cheese dressing in a small serving bowl and garnish with chopped scallions.
10. Serve meatballs with toothpicks alongside blue cheese dressing, celery and carrot sticks.

TELL US: What are some of your favorite recipes for Super Bowl snacks? Share in the comments below.