Food, fun, fabulousness: Super Bowl Sunday edition

Forget everything you think you know about the “typical” football fan.

When Super Bowl Sunday arrives on Feb. 11, women will be watching in huge numbers. In fact, Nielson reports that females comprise 46 percent of the Super Bowl viewing audience. To put that in perspective, that’s higher viewership than the Oscars, Grammys and Emmys combined.

Whether or not you’re a fan of the teams or care about what’s happening on the field, you still can have plenty of fun watching the big game.

EDIBLE ENJOYMENT

What’s the Super Bowl without something tasty (and decidedly unhealthy) to nosh on? Why not get creative and make a snack spread worthy of an endzone dance?

If you need ideas, check out some delicious recommendations from Caroline Davis — a cookbook author and social media content creator known as @MississippiKween.

(See recipes below.)

THE COMMERCIALS

The Super Bowl is the one mass-viewing event where no one’s fast-forwarding through the ads. In 2023, a 30-second Super Bowl commercial cost an average of $7 million, according to Forbes — and the best ads get at least as much attention as the most crucial plays. It’s worth tuning in just so you know what everyone’s talking about on Monday. During the game, poll your party guests to see which ads are the favorites, from the hilarious to the heartwarming.

THE HALFTIME SHOW

There’s an argument to be made that the halftime show has become as big as the game itself. It’s the ultimate combination of sports and pop culture. This year’s headline act is Usher, so you know we’re going to be busting some moves in our living rooms.

SOCIAL MEDIA

The Super Bowl is a shared experience tailor made for social media. According to a report from Influence Central, 78 percent of consumers engage in social media while watching the Super Bowl. Approximately 38 percent want to share their thoughts on the commercials, and 32 percent want to react to the game. Following the commentary can be the most entertaining part of the night.

Superb Super Bowl snacks

Not sure what to serve at your watch party? Check out these recipes from Caroline Davis (@MississippiKween).

PIZZA DIP

I love to serve this dip with lightly toasted baguette, but it is also delicious served with pita bread or Ritz crackers. This dip can be made ahead of time and baked on the day of. Store in the refrigerator, and remove two hours before it goes in the oven.

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces cream cheese
• 8 ounces sour cream
• 1 pound mozzarella, split
• ½ cup spaghetti sauce
• 12 ounces pepperonis
• 2 tablespoons dried basil
• 1 tablespoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• salt and pepper to taste
• baguette for dipping

Instructions:

1. Shred your mozzarella. I suggest fresh grated for this recipe.
2. Roughly chop 10 ounces of pepperoni. Set the remainder to the side for the topping.
3. In a bowl, add softened cream cheese, sour cream, dried basil, oregano, crushed red pepper, salt and pepper. Combine all ingredients well.
4. Add in pepperonis and half of your mozzarella. Fold them into the cream cheese mixture.
5. Transfer half of your mixture to an oven-safe baking dish or a cast-iron skillet. Spread mixture out evenly.
6. Spread spaghetti sauce over the top.
7. Add the other half of your mixture on top of the spaghetti sauce; spread out evenly.
8. Top with remaining mozzarella cheese and pepperoni.
9. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until it is hot, bubbly and golden brown on top.
10. Serve immediately with sliced, lightly toasted baguette.

MISSISSIPPI TRASH MIX

This mix is perfect as a grab-and-go snack for game days. With its addictive flavor, it’s sure to be a huge hit!

Ingredients:

Sauce

• 1 stick salted butter
• ¼ teaspoon celery salt
• ½ teaspoon garlic salt
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon Tabasco sauce

Dry mix

• 2 cups Cheerios
• 2 cups wheat Chex
• 2 cups rice Chex
• 2 cups corn Chex
• 1 cup mini pretzels or pretzel sticks
• 1 ½ cups roasted peanuts

Instructions:

1. Melt butter in a microwave-safe bowl.
2. When butter is fully melted, add in celery salt, garlic salt, salt, cayenne pepper, Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco sauce. Whisk together well.
3. In a large bowl, combine Cheerios, wheat Chex, rice Chex, corn Chex, pretzels and peanuts. Toss to combine.
4. Pour butter mixture over mix, and toss with a spatula to coat.
5. Spread mixture out evenly on a large baking sheet.
6. Bake at 250 degrees for one hour, tossing every 15 minutes.
7. Store in an airtight container for up to one week.

HAM ROLL UPS

The hardest part about these is trying not to eat them all as you’re making them. You can substitute pickled okra for dill pickle spears. These can be made the day before; just make sure to cover tightly so they don’t dry out.

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 15 large, pickled okra
• 15 slices of rectangle-shaped ham
• toothpicks

Directions:

1. Smear cream cheese on the smaller end of a slice of ham. One block of cream cheese is enough to make a good-sized platter of these.
2. Place one pickled okra on the cream cheese, and roll up the ham. If the okra is too small, you can double up two small okras to fill the ham.
3. Place five to six toothpicks along the seam of the ham, leaving space to cut between the toothpicks.
4. Use a sharp knife to cut in between each toothpick to create bite-sized hors d’oeuvres.
5. Chill in refrigerator for two hours before serving.