Super Bowl Devine Munch: Let Me Fix You a Sammie

Super Bowl Sunday is finally here.  Chicken wings, tortilla chips, french onion dip, lentil dip, nuts, and brie cheese.  Yes, I am that person who spreads brie onto her rosemary crisp.  Judge me all you want for not binging on the chips, but how can brie not be welcome at any event?  If asked to pick one favorite, I'd say the Belletoile brie from France would be the one.  Oddly enough, brie makes a great cheese to use for the ultimate comfort food: grilled cheese sandwich.  And, well, Super Bowl means bringing your A-Game to the table. Gourmet Grilled Cheese Sammie in less than 10 minutes.

{CRANBERRY BRIE PEAR SANDWICH} INGREDIENTS Rustic Bread (Sourdough or Rosemary Bread will do) Fresh Cranberry Sauce Sliced Pears Brie Cheese

The subtle saltiness from the cheese, sweet and tarty from the sauce, fresh and light taste of the crunchy pear, and chewy texture of the bread come together perfectly, as a nice balance of flavors burst in your mouth.  Ugh, too good!  Trust me on this one; I am the Sandwich Queen.

Let's go Seahawks!

LOVE, pristine christine

Academy Awards Appetizers, Super Bowl Shareables

{1. Whole Wheat Pita Bread, 2. Canned Peach Halves, 3. Arugula, 4. Crumbled Gorgonzola, 5. Caramelized Onions} I can't reject the offer of eating good pizza, but rarely do I come across one that makes me salivate for more.  In fact, when my mom was pregnant with me, her morning sickness would only lessen if she satisfied "my" pizza cravings.  Even if it's not gourmet, homemade pizza bites--made from fresh ingredients--do more justice than greasy frauds marketed by Papa John's and its likes.  A personal favorite would be the pear gorgonzola with arugula salad on top.  Scoop a generous amount of crumbled gorgonzola cheese onto whole wheat pita bread and subsequently layer with caramelized onions, and canned peach halves.  After you bake the flatbread pizza, garnish the top with fresh arugula.  {Prosciutto is optional because not everyone appreciates the powerful smoky, salty taste of cured meat.}

These homemade delectables balance the heavy processed food devoured on Super Bowl Sunday (nachos, potato chips, sour cream, fried chicken, sausages, etc.).  And while the Grammys may be over, we still have Super Bowl next week and the Oscars (Academy Awards) in March.  I'm not a fan of either the Seahawks or Broncos, but if I had to choose, then I guess I'd root for the former.

Since November, festivities seem to never end.  More than being in the same room as great food and people though, the presence of joyful hearts and fellowship are what makes celebrations wonderful.

Happy Monday, everyone!

LOVE, pristine christine

P.S. I hope Ernest & Celestine win the Best Animated Feature category!