Fun fact I learned today: according to the United States Department of Agriculture, Super Bowl Sunday is the second biggest day of the year for food consumption in the U.S. after Thanksgiving.

That’s a lot of food.

It also makes Super Bowl Sunday one of my new favorite days of the year.

If you’re not in the mood to cook or could use a little help in the kitchen, the food-loving folks at MARTIN’S are totally prepared if you’re eating watching the game with friends year with a great selection of Great Entertaining party trays, including sandwiches, wings, fried chicken, desserts and more available to order.

Just in time for the big game, the new Instant Party Tray is available for order and comes complete with MARTIN’S brand Virginia ham, roast beef, perfectly roasted turkey, hard salami, domestic Swiss and American cheese, 24 MARTIN’S brand Kaiser rolls, pickle chips and sliced tomatoes. Visit MARTIN’S Great Entertaining website to start your order or order in-store at the deli, bakery, seafood or meat departments.

All MARTIN’S stores are also stocked with ready-made favorites at the wing bar or olive, hummus and salsa bar. Don’t forget to check out the produce section for pre-cut veggies and fruit as well as prepared guacamole and fresh salsa.

If you’re in the mood to whip up something delicious (and easy to make), try these Turkey Chili-Topped Baked Potatoes

Turkey Chili-Topped Baked Potatoes

Prep time: 10 minutes         Cook Time: 1 hour               Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 4 large baking potatoes
• 1 Tablespoon GIANT/MARTIN’S olive oil
• ½ lb. ground turkey breast
• 1 Tablespoon reduced-sodium taco seasoning mix
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
• ½ cup GIANT/MARTIN’S shredded cheddar cheese
• Toppings (optional): sour cream, sliced green onions

 

Steps

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Place potatoes on a rimmed baking sheet; prick several times with a fork. Bake 1 hour or until fork-tender. Remove from oven.

2. Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet heat oil over medium heat. Add turkey; cook until no longer pink (165°F), stirring to break up turkey. Stir in seasoning mix and tomatoes; simmer 5 minutes or until heated through and slightly thickened. Remove from heat; keep covered.

3. Cut potatoes open lengthwise; squeeze gently to open. Fluff potato pulp with a fork. Spoon turkey mixture evenly over potatoes, top with cheese and desired toppings, and serve.

 

For more game day recipe ideas, visit the MARTIN’s Recipe Center.

Check out last year’s Game Day Party Food Ideas

Photo: MARTINSFoods.com

MARTIN’S is a sponsor of Richmondmom

Find more party ideas, and printables on our Pinterest board.

Red, White and Blue Food

Star Spangled Blueberry Pie Bars
The Baker Chick

Red White & Blue Pinwheel Icebox Cookies
Just a Taste

Red White and Blue Stawberries
Like Mother Like Daughter

Blueberry, Strawberry & Jicama Salsa
Two Peas & Their Pod

Strawberry Shortcake Popsicles
Bakers Royale

Chevron Cookie Cake
(make all sorts of shapes out of these)
Cookin’ Cowgirl

Red, White, and Blue Potato Salad
Real Food Forager

Candy Coated Marshmallows
Just Us Four

Red, White and Blue Milkshakes
Poca Cosa

Rice Krispie Stars
Grumpy’s Honey Bunch

American Flag Cheesecake Bars
My Recipes

Patriotic Punch
No. 2 Pencil

Fireworks Cake
Bird on a Cake

Independence Day Ombre Cake
Brit + Co

The book may be purchased online or in the Richmond area at the Shops at 5807, Mayfair House, and Book People.  If you would like Marie to personalize a signed copy, please visit mariedempseycarter.com.

My daughter Dianne makes this awesome bruschetta throughout the year. It is at its best with top of the season tomatoes in the summer, but also delicious made with Roma or cherry tomatoes the rest of the year. Unlike her mother, Dio is very patient and carefully seeds the tomatoes, which helps remove excess liquid and gives the bruschetta just the right consistency.

8 servings

3    large ripe tomatoes (about 1 pound), seeded and chopped
½    medium red onion, finely diced
1    tablespoon basil pesto (recipe on May 26)
2    garlic cloves, minced
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
1    tablespoon red wine vinegar
¼    cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing bread
1    cup grated Parmesan cheese
1    French baguette, cut diagonally into ½-inch thick slices

In a medium bowl, combine the tomatoes, onion, pesto, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Add the vinegar and ¼ cup olive oil. Mix and let stand at room temperature for 1 to 3 hours. Stir in the Parmesan cheese.

Turn on the broiler. Brush both sides of the bread slices with olive oil and arrange on a baking sheet. Broil the top side until lightly toasted. Turn the slices over and lightly toast the other side.

Using a slotted spoon, transfer the tomato mixture to a serving bowl that will fit nicely on a platter with the toast. Provide a small serving spoon to put the tomato mixture on the toast.

Ask your bakery to slice the bread to ensure even slices.
Check out more recipes:

Rack of Lamb with Mustard Crust

Mini Cheese Quiches

Party.

Honest to goodness, I don’t care a thing about football but I really do love football snacks.
So unhealthy. So good.

Actually, this year my friends and are celebrating a long overdue Secret Santa gift exchange.  I know. It seems to get later and later every year.

Anyway, whatever you plan on doing for the Super Bowl (and whether or not it involves gifts) here are some food idea to make your Super Bowl super delicious!

Fried Guacamole from Eat, Bake, Drink, Cook
This looks AMAZING.  Anything fried is delicious of course, but I’m pretty sure that fried Guacamole is genius.

Sausage Dip from Plain Chicken
I don’t eat much meat, and I don’t watch much football, but I know this is a game day classic if you haven’t made this yet, it’s practically a requirement. (Bonus: easy peasy sausage squeeze-y)

Blue Moon Cupcakes from Spoon Fork Bacon

Denver Broncos fans, here’s your excuse to make these cupcakes.  Blue moon cupcakes garnished with orange zest.
If you want to make it more obvious, throw some food coloring in there or top with a blueberry.

Creamy Vanilla Fruit Dip from Love, Pomegranate House

Seahawks fans, alternate fruit skewers with grapes and blueberries for a green and blue theme.

A Buffalo Wild Wings Copy Cat Recipe from Around My Family Table

Well, these will be gone quick.

Spinach Cheese Dip from Gimme Some Oven

I think Super Bowl is synonomous with dips and I love a good spinach and cheese dip (it’s got spinach in it, so it’s healthy, right?)

Cajun Pretzels from The Kitchen is My Playground

Speaking of dips, you might need something to do the actual dipping… however these pretzels seem tasty enough that no dip is required.

Pizza Swirl Bread from How Sweet Eats

Mmmmm… add whatever “toppings” you’d like to this yummy bread.
This looks really, really good.

Whipped Feta on Crostini by What’s Gaby Cooking

Alright you little game-day-foodie, not impressed with sausage and cheese dip? Top crostinis with whipped feta (top with some tomatoes and basil).
I never thought about whipped feta before actually and now I’m having a hard time thinking of anything else.

Baked Zucchini Fries from Health Magazine

I know what you’re thinking. I’ve turned on you, I’ve gone healthy. How could I possibly list a fry substitute.
Zucchini fries are actually quite good.

Vegetarian Chili from Two Peas and Their Pod

Don’t forget the vegetarians! I always like it when I see a recipe for “easy” chili, because really, isn’t that the point?
Anyway, if you’re a newb to vegetarian chili, this recipe is a good basic.

This game starts at 6:30 folks, that’s hungry time! Fill your guests with yummy goodness (and minimal effort on your part) with a baked potato bar.
Toss those bad boys in the crock pot to keep them warm and set out an array of toppings. Stick to the classics with butter, shredded cheese, bacon, sour cream, chives.  Or get fancy with sautéed onion and mushrooms, a variety of cheeses, chili, baked beans, broccoli, creamed spinach, ham, or whatever you can think of.
Set them out and let people create their own masterpiece.

Then of course, you can go all out and make whatever the heck this is:

You guys… there are bread shaped cars!!!
This is intense. If any of you do this you better #RVA_mom on Instagram ’cause I gotta see that.
(We promise to regram)

Need more food ideas?
Check out our Football and Tailgating Pinterest board

One thing I love about this season is how often I get to see my family and friends.  Actually, after not having been able to get together with my friends in a long time, I now have at least 5 gatherings in the next 6 weeks, half of which I’ll either be hosting or helping to host… and that does not even count Christmas.  I’ve pinned thousands of great things to do but realistically, I’m not going to have time to them all with three kids, two jobs and everything else that comes with the holiday season.

Enter: the newly expanded MARTIN’S Simply Enjoy line.  Yup, straight from the grocery store around the corner.  It’s the deus ex machina of my holiday season.  I would love to make caramelized onion and gorgonzola tartlets from scratch, but let’s get real.

I tested out a couple of goodies when I brought them to my parent’s house for Thanksgiving… there is always that awkward time several hours after an early Thanksgiving meal where nobody wants to even think about a meal but everyone is getting a little peckish, so I thought it would be the perfect solution to satisfy.

A little of the Simply Enjoy Red Pepper Jelly went perfectly on top of the brand’s water crackers which we snacked on with brie (also a part of the Simply Enjoy line) and wine.

I slid a few Raspberry Powdered Shortbread Cookies on to our dessert table to see how they would stand up among Thanksgiving favorites like pumpkin, apple, and pecan pie and was happy to see that it found it’s way onto plates and paired nicely with the Simply Enjoy Colombian Coffee.

So, will tasty treats from Simply Enjoy be at my next holiday party/ New Year’s Eve fete /baby shower? You betcha! (wouldn’t the Italian sodas look really cute with colorful paper straws?)  In fact you’ll be likely to find the coffee in my cup each morning and a few treats stashed away for myself for a “midnight” snack after my kids go to bed!

Good news! Some of the delicious treats I tasted are on sale at MARTIN’S.  So stock up on a few for next time a friend comes over for coffee, you need to indulge in a delicious treat, if you don’t want to show up to a party empty handed or if anytime you want to make things extra special.