Super Bowl

<snicker>

Tons of memes are out there regarding the cities from whence the teams are from. Somehow the fact the both places have allowed marijouna sales tickles the funny bone of quite a few people. Something about smoking bowls. Nothing I know about.

One of the most important parts of a Super Bowl party is the guacamole.  The latest Consumer Reports (February 2014) (how can they date it for February when we are still in January? Is there a time vortex involved?) contains a wonderful one page report on "Guacamole that earns an 'ol`e!" (pg.7). Their recommended store bought guacamole is Sabra's classic product. You can purchase an 8 oz container at Carrs/Safeway for $4.99. (AK prices.)

Consumer Reports also includes tips for avacodas and a recipe for homemade guacamole.  Homemade is always better. Less chemicals, fresher and you know what is in there.

From Consumer Reports:

How to create a homemade dip

Choose ripe avocados or buy them ahead of time and let them ripen. (To speed ripening, put them in a paper bag with an apple.) To keep mashed avocado from turning gray-brown, try adding lime juice, keeping the pits in the dip until serving time, or gently adding a half-inch of cold water to the dip as an oxygen barrier. (Pour it off before serving. )

•2 ripe avocados, mashed
•juice of 1/2 lime
•salt to taste
Add one or more:
•1/4 to 1/2 tsp: ground cumin, ground coriander, minced garlic, hot sauce, or roasted garlic
•1 to 2 tbsp: chopped cilantro, chopped parsley, diced jalapeños, diced chipotles in adobo
•1/4 to 1/3 cup: diced tomato, diced onion, salsa, cucumber (peeled, seeded, and chopped), diced red and green, mild chilies

What kind of chips? Consumer Reports recommends Tostitos multigrain "best in our past tests of multigrain chips. They're crispy and tender, with lots of sweet corn flavor."

Another option is to make your own.

From "Ultimate Nachos" by Lee Frank and Rachel Anderson.

•1 ounce vegatable or canola oil
•1 corn tortilla
•salt
•cayenne pepper

1. In a skillet over medium heat, heat to oil to 350°F. You'll know the oil is ready when you add a small piece of tortilla to the skillet and it floats and bubbles.

2. Cut round tortilla into triangle shapes of any size you want, then add the triangles to the oil.

3. When one side becomes golden brown, about 1 minute, flip them over and fry the opposite sides until golden brown.

4. Using a slotted spoon, remove the chips from the oil and transfer to paper towels to drain.

5.Toss the chips with salsa and the cayenne, if using.

Repeat as needed.

Sounds absolutely DELICIOUS! Can't wait for the Super Bowl party.