Taco Chili with Cilantro Sour Cream

Right now the Super Bowl is a sore subject in my house. My son Solomons's beloved Baltimore Ravens came so close to capturing a spot in the big game but were outmatched by the New England Patriots in the last quarter. However, I think that by February 5th (Super Bowl Sunday) hell have had enough time to recover and will want to cheer on my husband's favorite team, the New York Giants. While I'm not a huge football fan (I grew up in a house where we never watched sports on TV so it's always felt odd to me to hear all the yelling from the couch), I always enjoy observing the passion the Big Game inspires. 

Since so many Super Bowl celebrations center on food, I have found my ideal way to enjoy the occasion is by cooking and sharing food with friends. This year we're going to invite over some friends for a rare dinner in front of the TV. I'm keen on making the Super Bowl fare at our house both tempting and nourishing, so along with my Taco Chili and cornbread, I'll serve veggies and dips, a big bowl of freshly popped popcorn, and chopped fruit with vanilla yogurt for dipping. Other options for healthy Super Bowl munchies include:

• Shrimp cocktails
• Sliced turkey hotdogs or sausage with spicy mustard
• A bowl of almonds and dried cranberries
• Celery stuffed with light Boursin cheese.

Whether you favor the Giants or the Patriots, I hope your family enjoys watching the game or just sharing an evening (or afternoon if you're out west) of good food, family, and friends. 

What are your favorite foods to enjoy while watching the Super Bowl? And which team are you hoping will win?