Rochelle Trotter: Throw a mini sandwich party for the Super Bowl - Chicago News and Weather | FOX 32 News

Football fans, its game time and you know the Super Bowl features BIG men. This year, the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens to be exact. As you plan for a Super Bowl party you can't ignore the headlines screaming "Chicken Wing Shortage Threatens Super Bowl Sunday."

Never fear: Just because the game features BIG men does not mean your menu needs to feature BIG items. In fact, a simple, filling Super Bowl party can still be planned without the "typical" food expectations of pizza, deli trays, foot long subs, and chili. Add a little variety to your party and think "mini" to make a BIG statement for your guests this year.

With a SUPER Bowl Mini Sandwich Buffet your guests can eat as much (or as little) as they like, and revisit the station throughout the entire game with options for variety throughout the event.

Lifestyle consultant Rochelle Trotter has an idea that will provide "food for thought" for a fun, simple, mini sandwich party that is sure to make a BIG impact with your guests.

MAKE YOUR OWN SUPERBOWL PLAYING FIELD TABLECLOTH

Why spend tons of money on themed plastic tablecloths when you can make your own fun tablecloth for pennies on the dollar. This tablecloth uses felt which is inexpensive, easy to cut and able to be re purposed! Go green and make your own Super Bowl tablecloth!

MATERIALS

• Kelly green felt (36" wide x the length of your table, most of which are 6' long for buffet)
• 1/2" wide white ribbon
• 2" self adhesive white letters
• Double stick tape

ASSEMBLY

1. Cut the white ribbon into 36" long strips (I used 5 strips here as I only had a table reflecting the 10/20/30/40/50 yard lines)
2. Using a leveling ruler lay the strips evenly across the felt
3. Carefully lift the top edge of the ribbon and apply double stick tape
4. Press firmly into place
5. Repeat the process along the bottom edge of the ribbon
6. Add double stick tape approximately every 3 inches and press firmly to ensure the "line"
7. does not shift
8. Place the adhesive numbers along the bottom edge of each line to create the "yard line markers."

CHOCOLATE MINT STRAWBERRY FOOTBALLS

Get ready to impress your guests when they hit your dessert bar and find these tasty little treats which your kids can help make! It's a very simple recipe which is sure to please.

Yield 12 strawberry footballs

INGREDIENTS

• 12 medium sized FIRM strawberries (it's important to use FIRM berries as those with water will cause the chocolate to seize)
• 4 ounces dark melting chocolate (I used mint flavored in this recipe)
• 2 ounces white melting chocolate
• Wax paper

ASSEMBLY

1. Line your work surface (I used the pan I would later serve the berries on) with wax paper.
2. Wash and dry your berries. BE SURE THE BERRIES ARE COMPLETELY DRY!
3. Melt the dark chocolate according to the package instructions.
4. (For ease of cleanup I used a plastic Ziploc bag to melt the chocolate)
5. Insert a toothpick into the top of the berry and dip it 3/4 of the way into the melted chocolate.
6. Allow excess to drip off and then place the berry on the wax paper covered surface.
7. Repeat this process until all berries are covered.
8. Melt the white chocolate in a plastic bag (again I used Ziploc).
9. Once melted cut off a tiny bit of one corner (this creates your piping hole).
10. Pipe the lines onto the strawberry to create the stitch marks on your mini football treat.
11. Remove the toothpicks if desired or leave them in place for ease of guest service.

For best results make these the day you plan to server them. Otherwise, to store them ensure they are in a plastic container covered and in the coldest part of your refrigerator.