The Super Bowl...Texas Style

This year the Super Bowl is being held in the great state of Texas! In honor of that, below are ingredients and directions for some Texas inspired snacks for the big day:

Texas Caviar (does not include actual caviar...don't worry)
This popular Texas food can be used as a dip (a healthy alternative to queso) or as a side dish.

2 (15 to 16 oz.) cans black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
1 (15 to 16 oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 large red onion chopped
1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
Juice of 1 lime
Cumin vinaigrette (recipe below)

Mix all ingredients and let marinate in the refrigerator for several hours. May be prepared a day before serving. Makes 8 to 10 servings.
Cumin vinaigrette: Combine 2/3 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin, 1 teaspoon minced garlic, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Whisk in 1/2 cup olive oil.

Queso (my personal favorite)
This queso recipe is easy and delicious!

16 oz. cubed velveeta
16 oz. Monterey Jack cheese
2 (10 oz.) cans of RO-TEL diced tomatoes and green chiles

Combine all ingredients in a crock pot.

Texas Sheet Cake (aka Whacky Cake)
This is not your average chocolate cake. It is incredibly moist and glazed with an amazing chocolate icing.

2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 sticks butter
4 tablespoons cocoa
1 cup water
2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla
Freshly made chocolate icing, still warm (recipe below)

Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease and flour a jellyroll pan measuring about 10x15 inches.
Sift flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt together in a large mixing bowl
In a medium, heavy saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in cocoa and water and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and add to the dry ingredients. Mix well. Add eggs, buttermilk and vanilla and beat for 1 minute. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Remove cake from oven and spread with the chocolate icing while both the cake and the icing are still warm and hot.

Chocolate Icing: While cake is still baking, heat 1 stick of butter, 4 tablespoons cocoa and 6 tablespoons of buttermilk in a saucepan. Stir to combine and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and combine with one box (3 3/4 cups of sifted powdererd sugar, beating until smooth. Use icing before it cools, so that it will distribute evenly without tearing the surface of the cake.

These iconic Texas recipes are sure to be a hit at any Super Bowl party. Remember: Texas food is always a winner.


All recipes courtesy of the Dallas Morning News