It’s okay, you can judge me for my boots, but I was warm-ish, so I’ll take the criticism. 

Philly Philly

This past weekend was jam packed with food, friends, and fitness. Sounds like a normal weekend for me, I know. The major differences were that 1. the fitness was a competition instead of just a workout and 2. the food was for a party instead of just for my own plate. So, the steaks (errr, stakes) were high.

After much back and forth (and laughing at each other, as per usual) our friends decided we’d gather at my house for Sunday’s Super Bowl. I never turn down an opportunity to cook for others. It’s my favorite activity. I may make a mess in the process but there is something relaxing and rewarding in the whole process. There is always the worry that you will make food that people hate, but luckily I picked friends who will eat almost anything.

I do NOT recommend last minute shopping as your options tend to be limited and you tend to buy more than you need. However, I made a list and stuck to it as best I could…

What’s For Dinner?

With being out of town on Saturday and being tasked with Super Bowl less than 2 weeks beforehand, I had little to no plan. I figured I’d use the car rides to and from the competition to pester my friends (and Pinterest) for ideas. We had a list of ridiculous items that didn’t go together at all. Almost had a taco bar, but my friend’s party in 2 weeks is going to have that, so I thought it best we change it up.

I hemmed and hawed, and fell asleep on the couch that night while scrolling through Pinterest. In the process, I ordered a hair dryer and pair of pants but had NO idea what to make. I mean, honestly, the internet is a black hole. A hairdryer?!!? Well, to be fair mine will explode any day, I’m convinced, since it is from high school.

I digress. I woke up the next morning and thought, why not make it a semi-Philadelphia themed event? Afterall I was raised a Philly fan (born there too) and with Philly cheesesteaks and Philadelphia cream cheese on the menu, what could go wrong?

To the store I went, with a list in hand and ready to fight off the crowds. Luckily I was the only one awake and at the store before 8am on Sunday morning, so it was pretty dang easy.

Apparently our new TV wasnt big enough so friends brough over a projector that made for a 150″ TV (yes, my nerdy friends measured)

Super Bowl Party

I decided on a wide array of foods while on my morning walk with Bode. Yes, it was THAT last minute. I decided Philly cheesesteaks would be the main event and then from the random foods I had inside my head and found on Pinterest, the menu evolved.

The menu I decided on (in the hopes I could cook it all up in 5 hours):

• Pinch of Yum’s Caramelized Onion Dip with Waffle Potato Chips
• Honey Ricotta Dip. I mix honey with ricotta cheese, sprinkle in some salt & peppa, boom.
• Hummus + Veggie Platter
• Beet & Veggie Arugula Salad w/ Green Goddess Dressing
• Pepper Cheesy Cauliflower Bread (recipe coming soon)
• Guacamole + Salsa + Tortilla Chips
• Buffalo Chicken Meatballs (recipe coming soon)
• Philly Cheesesteak Bar
• Lemon Berry Cheesecake Dip (recipe coming TOMORROW)
• Carrots N Cake’s Chocolate-Covered Peanut Butter Protein Truffles (go make these NOW)

My friends also brought food and drinks to add to the festivities, which included:

• Buffalo & BBQ Instant Pot Chicken Wings
• Buffalo Chicken Dip made by Chef @ The Healing Meals (there was also a 2nd buffalo chicken dip brought later by other friends, because you can NEVER have enough)
• Super Bowl “Sundae” Bar
• Chocolate chip cookies….still unsure if these were homemade or not…

Philly {Philly} Cheesesteak

Now for what you came here for, the Philly Cheesesteak. Being from Philly you would think I grew up eating cheesesteaks on the regular, but we really didn’t. It probably was because I was so picky, but I should’ve had a more open mind, these are DELICIOUS.

If you ask a Philly native, they are VERY particular about how they order and what they put on their cheesesteak. So, I apologize to any of those Philadelphia natives if this is not EXACT, it is just my last minute success of a recipe that I will be making for many years to come.

I made an assembly station at the party. A basket of rolls, with a cutting board (for freshly cut bread), the steak +  extra peppers & onions. Then there was provolone cheese and a toaster or microwave if anyone wanted the bread toasted and cheese extra melty. It was a huge hit. Some (non-Philly natives) even combined other aspects of the menu with their cheesesteak. I encourage creativity.

Now, go ahead, enjoy your own Philly Cheesesteak any day of the week. Fly Eagles Fly!

Pro tip: double this recipe for a crowd! Depending on the size of your pressure/slow cooker you may need to up the time as well. I made 4lbs of beef and did 12 minutes in the pressure cooker and it worked great.

xoxo,

Sassy

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