You may not be sure who’s actually playing in the Superbowl, but that doesn’t mean you can’t throw a party. You’ll win major points by inviting your friends or co-workers over for kickoff and serving up a super-easy Mexican feast. (Yes, a margarita recipe is included.) Go team!
Tortilla Casserole
Serve this with a big green salad and a bowl of black beans. Put out chips and salsa for people to munch on while it cooks.
Serves 6
2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
¼ cup yellow cornmeal
½ teaspoon chili powder
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons olive oil (plus more for brushing)
1 small onion, finely diced
16 ounces canned tomatillos* drained and chopped if whole
2 small jalapeño peppers, seeds and ribs removed, minced
4 eight-inch flour tortillas (not corn, whole wheat, or low-carb)
1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes with chilies
2 tablespoons queso blanco* or feta cheese
1. Preheat oven to 400 and cut chicken into ½-inch cubes. Combine cornmeal, chili powder, and salt and sprinkle over chicken. Toss to coat.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium-high heat, add chicken, and cook, stirring occasionally until browned and cooked through (about 6 minutes). Remove chicken and set aside.
3. Wipe pan with paper towel and add the other tablespoon of olive oil and place over low heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until translucent (8 minutes). Add tomatillos, jalapeños, and ½ cup water and cover. Cook over medium-high heat until liquid is reduced (10–12 minutes) and stir in chicken.
4. Place one tortilla in the bottom of an 8-inch round springform pan brushed with oil (can also be made in a pie plate). Place ½ of chicken mix over tortillas. Place a second tortilla on top, cover with ½ of tomatoes-and-chilies mix, and top with the third tortilla. Cover with the remaining chicken mix and the final tortilla. Spread the remaining tomato mix on top and sprinkle with cheese.
5. Bake until golden brown (25–30 minutes). Transfer from oven to cooking rack for 15 minutes. Release the springform and remove sides. Cut into 6 wedges using a serrated knife and serve hot. You can also garnish with avocado, sour cream, or fresh salsa.
Margaritas
Fresh squeezed juice is the key to these incredible margaritas.
4 teaspoons grated lime zest
½ cup lime juice (3–4 medium limes)
4 teaspoons grated lemon zest
½ cup lemon juice (2–3 medium lemons)
¼ cup sugar
pinch of salt
3–4 cups ice cubes
1 cup 100% agave tequila
1 cup triple sec
1. In a large liquid measuring cup combine lime zest, lime juice, lemon zest, lemon juice, sugar, and salt. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until flavors meld—at least 4 hours, but the longer the better!
2. Divide half of the ice among 4 to 6 glasses. Strain juice mix into a 1-quart pitcher or cocktail shaker. Add tequila, triple sec, and remaining ice and stir or shake until combined and chilled (about 30 seconds to a minute). Strain into ice-filled glasses and serve immediately, garnished with lime wedges or salt, your choice!
Cinnamon Chocolate Brownies With Chocolate Frosting
The meal has to end on a sweet note (even if the game doesn’t). These brownies have just a touch of cinnamon to keep with your Mexican theme.
For brownies:
½ cup flour
1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
¾ cup unsalted butter at room temperature, diced
4 large eggs
1 cup sugar
1½ teaspoon vanilla
1. Preheat oven to 350. Butter an 8-inch square pan. Mix flour, cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl.
2. Gently melt butter and chocolate together on stove top over low heat, being careful not to burn.
3. Beat eggs in a large bowl until they’re thick and fall in soft ribbons when the beaters are lifted. Beat in vanilla-and-flour mix and then gradually add warm chocolate, stirring until just mixed. Bake for 35 minutes, until set.
Frosting
6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
3 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature
2 tablespoons whipping cream
Whisk all ingredients in a small pan over medium-low heat until melted and smooth. Pour evenly over cooked brownies in pan. Chill brownies until the frosting is set, about 2 hours.
