NFL Potato Skins: Super Bowl Snack Genius!

So exactly one year ago, I'm flipping through Food Network Magazine when I stop dead in my tracks. I turn the magazine lengthwise, similar to how I can only imagine a man would to an issue of Playboy, and start to "Oooh" and "Ahhh." My husband, Bryan, looks at me curiously, finally asking "What food needs an entire vertical spread of a magazine?"

"Potato skins. Customized for each of the NFL's 32 teams," I replied.

"Oohhh," he said. Followed by a grab for the magazine and a "Lemme see!"

It was then that he understood. Simply put, the idea of creating custom potato skin recipes reflecting a city's local ingredients, flavors and food favorites is brilliant. Totally brilliant. Which is exactly why I'm sharing this post again, two years later. It's a classic, just like these potato skins. So even if your favorite team isn't in the Super Bowl, find the recipe and try it anyway. At least they can be at your Big Game party in spirit!

Here's how you make each of the potato skins:

General directions: Pierce 4 large russet potatoes with a fork. Bake directly on the oven rack at 350 degrees until tender, about 1 hour. Let cool, then quarter lengthwise and scoop out the flesh, leaving a 1/4-inch shell. Brush both sides with melted butter and season with salt and pepper. Bake, skin-side up, at 450 degrees until crisp, about 15 minutes. Add your favorite team toppings. (For cheesy skins, flip the baked shells over before topping, sprinkle with 1 cup grated cheddar cheese and bake an extra 5 minutes.)

AFC TEAMS

1. Baltimore Ravens

Chesapeake Butter Potato Skins: Melted butter, Old Bay Seasoning, grated parmesan and chopped chives

2. Buffalo Bills

Hot Wing Potato Skins: Blue cheese dressing, cayenne hot sauce, and chopped celery and carrots

3. Cincinnati Bengals

Five-Way Chili Potato Skins: Cincinnati-style chili, kidney beans, chopped onion, shredded cheddar and oyster crackers

4. Cleveland Browns

All the Way Potato Skins: Deli-sliced corned beef, shredded Swiss cheese, grated horseradish and spicy mustard; bake 5 more minutes

5. Denver Broncos

Western Omelet Potato Skins: Sauteed green pepper, onion and ham, paprika and chopped parsley on cheesy skins

6. Houston Texans

Tex-Mex Potato Skins: Refried beans, crumbled chorizo, shredded monterey jack, hot sauce and pickled jalapenos

7. Indianapolis Colts

Fried Pork Potato Skins: Mayonnaise mixed with mustard and hot sauce, sliced fried pork cutlets, chopped tomato and diced red onion

8. Jacksonville Jaguars

Deviled Crab Potato Skins: Crab salad, cayenne pepper and paprika; bake 5 more minutes

9. Kansas City Chiefs

KC BBQ Potato Skins: Pulled pork, barbecue sauce and sliced scallions on cheesy skins

10. Miami Dolphins

Cubano Potato Skins: Mayonnaise, sliced ham, Swiss cheese, mustard and sliced pickles; bake 5 more minutes

11. New England Patriots

Maple-Bacon Potato Skins: Apple butter, crisp bacon and maple syrup on cheesy skins

12. New York Jets

Deli Pastrami Potato Skins: Deli-sliced pastrami, Russian dressing and dill pickle slices on cheesy skins

13. Oakland Raiders

Loaded Tacos Potato Skins: Shredded chicken mixed with taco seasoning, queso blanco, sour cream, salsa, pickled jalapeños and cilantro

14. Pittsburgh Steelers

Steel City Sausage Potato Skins: Sauteed onions and kielbasa, sauerkraut and grated Swiss cheese; bake 5 more minutes

15. San Diego Chargers

California Fresh Potato Skins: Guacamole, sprouts and shredded monterey jack

16. Tennessee Titans

Nashville Side Potato Skins: Creamy mac and cheese; bake 5 more minutes

NFC TEAMS

1. Arizona Cardinals

Southwestern Nachos Potato Skins: Salsa, pickled jalapenos, chopped scallions and cilantro, and sour cream on cheesy skins

2. Atlanta Falcons

Georgia Peach Potato Skins: Peach preserves mixed with yellow mustard, cubed ham and canned fried onions on cheesy skins

3. Carolina Panthers

Country Ham Potato Skins: Ham salad, chopped parsley and minced pickles on cheesy skins

4. Chicago Bears

The Works Potato Skins: Sweet pickle relish, dill pickle spear, pickled peppers, yellow mustard, chopped onion and tomato, celery salt and poppy seeds

5. Dallas Cowboys

Texas Chili Potato Skins: Chunky chili, grated longhorn cheddar, chopped onion, sour cream and hot sauce

6. Detroit Lions

Coney Dog Potato Skins: Sliced hot dogs, chili, diced onions, shredded cheddar and yellow mustard

7. Green Bay Packers

Wisconsin Beer Brats Potato Skins: Beer cheese spread, sliced grilled bratwurst and brown mustard

8. Minnesota Vikings

Cheeseburgers Potato Skins: Grilled mini burgers, lettuce, tomato, ketchup and pickles on cheesy skins

9. New Orleans Saints

Muffuletta Potato Skins: Assorted sliced Italian deli meats, provolone, olive salad and sliced pepperoncini

10. New York Giants

Sausage and Peppers Potato Skins: Sauteed onions, green peppers and Italian sausage and fresh mozzarella; bake 5 more minutes

11. Philadelphia Eagles

Cheesesteaks Potato Skins

Sauteed onions and roast beef, Worcestershire sauce and Cheez Whiz; bake 5 more minutes

12. San Francisco 49ers

Frisco Gourmet Potato Skins: Artichokes pureed with goat cheese, garlic, fresh herbs and olive oil; bake 5 more minutes

13. Seattle Seahawks

Pacific Salmon Potato Skins: Flaked grilled salmon, sauteed wild mushrooms, and chopped parsley and chives

14. St. Louis Rams

Toasted Ravioli Potato Skins: Ricotta mixed with parmesan and chopped basil, tomato sauce and shredded mozzarella; bake 5 more minutes

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Mojo Shrimp Potato Skins: Shrimp sauteed with rum and mojo sauce

16. Washington Redskins

Red-Slaw Skins Potato Skins: Red-cabbage slaw and crumbled bacon on red potato skins

Whoopie Pies: Chocolate, Salted Caramel + Marshmallow

Chocolate, Salted Caramel + Marshmallow Whoopie Pies

Moist chocolate cake. Vanilla bean marshmallow creme. Salted Caramel drizzle. Need I say more?

Okay, maybe just a little more. How about all that combined to make one of the best whoopie pies you've ever had? These little beauties are incredible. I made them last weekend for a Super Bowl party (pipe on some white stitching and you've got football pies!) and not one was left. I combined two recipes in what I think may be my most successful whoopie pie attempt to date. (Although these Chocolate Candy Cane and Gingerbread Whoopie Pies are pretty fantastic.). If you need a recipe, try this one and let me know what you think. I couldn't believe how light and moist the cake was and how well the marshmallow filling held up on the warm Super Sunday afternoon.

Chocolate + Salted Caramel Whoopie Pies

Makes 8-10 Whoopie Pies

• 6 tablespoons (3 ounces) shortening
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup milk
• 5 tablespoons cocoa
• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 jar Trader Joe's Salted Caramel Mixture

Clockwise, from top left: Baked whoopie pies, circular piping,
assemble sandwiches, finished whoopie pies

Directions: Preheat oven to 350°. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, beating well until combined. In a medium-sized bowl whisk together the flour, cocoa, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Slowly add the flour mixture and milk into the mixer, alternating additions until fully blended. Using a tablespoon or 2" cookie scoop, drop circular mounds of batter onto parchment- or foil-lined baking sheets.

Note: To shape these into footballs, using a butter knife or your fingertips to gently create points on either side of the mound, creating the shape of a football. Bake 10 to 12 minutes, or until firm.  Let cool completely on wire racks.

Marshmallow Filling

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
• 1 jar (7 1/2 ounces) marshmallow Fluff
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add Fluff and vanilla and continue mixing until well combined.

Transfer the marshmallow mixture to a large piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Arrange half of the whoopie pies bottom-side up. Starting from the edges, pipe the filling onto each whoopie pie in a circular motion until the whole surface is covered. Drizzle 1 teaspoon of salted caramel mixture over the filling and gently top with an appropriately-sized whoopie pie, top-side up.

Note: To decorate the whoopie pies as footballs, pipe a small amount of the remaining marshmallow filling to replicate football laces (see image, left).

Hummus with Kalamata Olives, Feta Crumbles + Lemon Oil

Party Tip: Kick-Up Store-Bought Hummus!

A few weeks ago Bryan and I had a pre-movie snack at Westside Tavern, a gastropub in West LA. We didn't have much time so we ordered what we thought would be fast and easy: Hummus and pita, topped with roasted tomatoes, kalamata olives and crumbled feta.

When it arrived, it was so delicious and so easy that I was inspired to replicate it for a recent dinner party. I was tight on time -- again -- so hit up Trader Joe's for a bag of fresh pita bread, a tub of plain hummus, a jar of Kalamata olives, Italian parsley and some crumbled feta. When I got home, I spread the hummus on a fun serving platter, roughly chopped the Kalamata olives and parsley, and zested some lemon. I generously sprinkled it all over the hummus and then drizzled a dash of Napa Valley lemon-infused olive oil for color and added flavor.

And the pita? I warmed it in a 400-degree oven for about 5 minutes (wrapped in foil), then I cut it into wedges and arranged it around the hummus. Party apps, done and done! :)

How To Make Mustard Roasted Potatoes

Recipe: Mustard Roasted Potatoes

Last Friday, my incredible husband really turned the tables on me. After a really long week of work, he surprised me with a homemade dinner, putting on an amazing spread. Not only did he secretly dig through my favorite cookbooks for inspiration, he made recipes we've been wanting to try but haven't found the time. Case in point: Ina Garten's Mustard Roasted Potatoes.

From the moment I walked in the door, it was like -- BAM!! -- the aroma was unreal. I had no idea what smelled so great until Bryan brought out the potatoes. The combination of baby potatoes, onion, olive oil and grainy mustard all roasting in the oven was heavenly. Even if you're not surprising anyone with dinner, they're easy and undeniably delicious. Best yet, they're sure to put a smile on the face of anyone you're cooking for. Just like me. :)

Mustard Roasted Potatoes
Adapted from Ina Garten's Barefoot Contessa At Home

• 2 1/2 pounds small red potatoes (or small Yukon Gold potatoes)
• 2 yellow onions
• 3 tablespoons good olive oil
• 2 tablespoons whole-grain mustard
• Kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Directions: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Cut the potatoes in halves or quarters, depending on their size, and place them on a sheet pan. Remove the ends of the onions, peel them, and cut them in half. Slice them crosswise in 1/4-inch-thick slices to make half-rounds. Toss the onions and potatoes together on the sheet pan. Add the olive oil, mustard, 2 teaspoons salt, and the pepper and toss them together. Bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour, until the potatoes are lightly browned on the outside and tender on the inside. Toss the potatoes from time to time with a metal spatula so they brown evenly. Serve hot sprinkled with chopped parsley and a little extra salt.

2B: 321 Dome begins.

Discussions to build a raft.

part 1

-pertama sekali kami melantik ketua bagi mengetuai kumpulan kami.
-kami memilih nama kumpulan kami
-membuat perancangan dalam menghasilkan beberapa jenis design rakit kami.

Prototype of the floating dome.



part 2

-menghasilkan model rakit.
-kami menghasilkan menggunakan lidi satay dan benang sebagai bahan asas prototype kami.
-hasil dari prototype memberikan kami gambaran yang lebih jelas di dalam pembinaan rakit.

aktiviti pemotongan buluh..

part 3

-merupakan aktiviti yang penting bagi kumpulan kami.
-hal ini kerana, kerja-kerja pemotongan buluh memerlukan teknik dan pengukuran yang sempurna.

-kami memotong buluh sebanyak 3 batang dan menjadikan kepada 9 bahagian.
-selain itu, kami juga mengambil sebatang buluh yang kecil bagi menjadikan bahagian tripod di atas rakit kami.

-kami memotong buluh di kawasan padang minden.
-buluh-buluh tersebut kami pikul bersama untuk di bawa ke desa kami dan menjemurnya bagi mengeringkan buluh tersebut agar ia menjadi lebih ringan.

latihan membina rakit..

part 4.

-merupakan latihan awal dalam membina rakit.
-dalam latihan kami ini, kami hanya membuat ikatan mengunakan tali rafia sahaja.
-bagi kegunaan pada masa yang sebenar kami bercadang mengunakan tali guni.

-pada peringkat awal kami mengikat buluh tersebut mengunakan ikatan lilit balak. namun, akibat ikatan yang di hasilkan memudahkan batangan buluh yang di ikat mudah bergerak.
-seterusnya kami menggunakan ikatan ikatan seraya dimana ikatan yang yang di hasilkan lebih kukuh dan kemas.
-bagi menghasilkan tripod, kami menggunakan ikatan sila gunting dimana ianya bersesuaian dengan kaedah membina tripod.

-hasilnya, kami berjaya membina rakit kami dengan mengambil masa lebih kurang 45 minit.
hal ini kerana, akibat kerap kali membuat perubahan ikatan menyebabkan tempoh membinanya mengambil masa yang begitu lama.
-setelah itu, kami membinanya semula dimana kami telah merancang jenis ikatan yang akan di gunakan dan berjaya menyiapkan dalam tempoh kurang 30 minit. ianya bertepatan dengan kehendak masa yang di cadangkan bagi membina rakit tersebut.