Super Bowl 2012 Food & Drink Ideas

The big game is coming up and that means a gathering of your favorite fans huddled around the TV supported by big food and snacks. We know hungry fans like to eat before, during and after the game.

With this in mind, we have a solution that will keep everyone on the sidelines happy and satisfied with a winning line up of food and beverages.

Here are some ideas from Tim Laird, America's Chief Entertaining Officer and author of " That's Entertaining! "

Vegetarian Chili

1 tablespoon olive oil

6 cloves garlic, crushed

1 large onion, chopped

1 green pepper, chopped

1 red pepper, chopped

1 yellow pepper, chopped

1 10.75-ounce can puree tomatoes

1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes

1 4.5-ounce can diced green chilies

1 tablespoon ground cumin

1 tablespoon dried oregano

¼ teaspoon cayenne

Juice of ½ lime

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Heat the olive oil in a large pan and sauté the garlic, onion, green, red and yellow peppers until they just begin to soften. Add the pureed tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, green chilies, cumin, oregano, cayenne pepper, lime and pepper. Cover and simmer at least 1 hour and up to 2 hours.

Serves 6 - 8

Cool Everything Dip

This non-fat dip works with everything from vegetables to wings to an assortment of chips, or even as a topper on chili in place of the standard sour cream.

1 cup non-fat plain yogurt (preferably Greek-style)

1 tablespoon hot sauce

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon dried ancho chili or chipotle chili powder (or a combination of the two)

Combine yogurt, hot sauce, onion powder, garlic powder and chili powder together in a small bowl. This is best made one day ahead so the flavors have time to blend.

Makes 1 cup

Note: You can add or subtract the heat to suit your taste. If you like it hot, add more hot sauce and chili powder.

Big Game Cocktails:

The Big Blue

In a tall glass with ice add:

1.5 ounces Finlandia Tangerine Vodka

3 ounces white cranberry peach juice

½ ounce Blue Curacao

Stir well and garnish with a lychee fruit

Pats (Patriots) Punch

In a tall glass with ice add:

1.5 ounces Southern Comfort

3 ounces cranberry juice

Squeeze of fresh lime

Stir well and garnish with a star fruit slice

Find Tim Laird on Facebook and more on his book here.