Enjoy a Food Safe Superbowl Party
TEXARKANA, Ark. –
Chances are even if you aren’t a huge football fan; you will be watching the big game this Sunday. Many will watch and cheer for their favorite team, while others will watch and try to choose their favorite commercial. Whatever the reason you watch, you will probably have some sort of food during the game.
Whether you are having a party or watching it solo, all you need for a successful Super Bowl party is plenty of food, drink and a television. Your best bet is to keep the food simple for this occasion; most of the food is going to be scarfed down while everyone's eyes are glued to the television and not to your painstakingly prepared refreshments.
Serve an array of snacks and allow everyone to graze to their heart's content. If you want to go the extra mile and offer a full-fledged meal to your fellow football fans, a buffet-style meal is by far the best choice for the occasion. Everyone loves a "build-your-own" buffet, whether the main attraction is a chili bar, hero sandwiches, burritos and nachos, baked potatoes or pizzas.
On the buffet, use your slow cooker, or warming plates, to keep the hot food hot on your buffet table, as well as, trays full of ice to keep cold food cold.
Never hold foods for more than two hours at room temperature. If serving warm or hot foods such as wings, pizza, hot dips, use your slow cooker, or warming plates, to keep the hot food hot on your buffet table. Never hold hot foods at room temperature for longer than 2 hours.
If you are serving cold foods, they need to be kept on trays full of ice to keep cold. The same rules apply for cold foods as hot foods. If cold food has been sitting out for more than two hours, do not eat it. When in doubt, throw it out.
Whatever you decide to serve, remember that the best refreshments are those that can be prepared ahead of time, requiring a minimum of last-minute fuss. You want to watch the big game too.
It’s essential that cold foods are kept cold and hot foods hot. If you’re serving take-out foods such as fried chicken, barbecue, pizza, or wings eat within two hours of purchase or refrigerate until you’re ready to serve. In addition, make certain that luncheon meats, pastas, tuna, chicken and potato salads are kept cold.
If you would like more information on keeping your Super Bowl party safe, contact us for your free copy of A Quick Consumer Guide to Safe Food Handling at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Miller County Extension office, Room 215 of the Miller County courthouse. E-mail chadley@uada.edu or call 870-779-3609. You can also get great tips on facebook at UAEXMillerCountyFCS/CarlaHaleyHadley, and twitter at @MillerCountyFCS or visiting us at uaex.uada.edu/miller.
This recipe for Black Bean and Corn Salsa is an easy recipe that is very colorful, flavorful and nutritious. Make it ahead for better flavor.
Black Bean and Corn Salsa
1 (16 oz.) jar salsa
1 (15.5 oz) can unsalted black beans, drained and rinsed
1 1/2 cup fresh corn
1 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro or parsley 1 teaspoon dried
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
Combine all ingredients in a medium sized bowl, gently stir. Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information: 35 calories, fat 0 g, protein 1 g, total carbohydrates 8 g, dietary fiber 1 g, sodium 190 mg.
By Carla Haley-Hadley
County Extension Agent - FCS
The Cooperative Extension Service
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Media Contact: Carla Haley-Hadley
County Extension Agent - FCS
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
400 Laurel Street, Suite 215 Texarkana AR 71854
(870) 779-3609
chaley@uada.edu
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