Party Snacks Just in Time for the Superbowl

With the Superbowl coming up, wildcard weekend and the draft coming, not to mention the season premier of American Idol - everyone has an excuse to throw a party. Take all the great ideas from the New Year's parties you went and add your own twist.

Here's a quick and easy favorite recipe for smoked nuts. Everyone loves them.

Homemade Smoked Almonds

Pepitas, pumpkin seeds would work as well as almonds or peanuts.

• 2 C nuts (whole almonds, my favorite)
• 1 TBSP + 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp liquid smoke
• 1 TBSP olive oil
• 1 TBSP butter, melted
• 1 tsp vinegar (white or sherry)
• 1-2 TBSP Tabasco
• 1/2 tsp cayenne
• 1 tsp chipotle peppers in adobo, minced
• 1 TBSP kosher salt

Preheat oven to 250. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper. Place all ingredients but salt in a large bowl, toss to coat. Spread on sheet. Bake, stirring occasionally, til deep golden brown. About 20 minutes depending on size of nuts used. Remove from oven, loosen from pan, sprinkle immediately with salt. Set aside to cool completely.

How about Kicked-up Caramel Corn?

See my rules for entertaining and recipes here.

Drinks: Your cocktail party basics are covered here. 

If you want to do a punchbowl - make sure it's better than the sherbert and gingerale punch from a middle-school mixer. One way to dress it up is to use stemware instead of plastic or paper cups. Another idea is to use different ice cubes or freeze fruit in the ice. 

• If you're in a playful mood, how about penguin shaped ice cubes? Or if you really want people to play, how about giving them tons of ice in the shape of Legos? Be sure to have lots of bar towels handy.

• For the hipsters on your list, stick with perfectly square cubes. When you just want a rock or two to open up your single malt or your small batch bourbon, a perfectly square cube makes you feel like Bette Davis or Cary Grant in an old film noir.

• Marilyn more your style? How about Diamond Ice? Square-cut or pear-shaped, these rocks don't lose their shape, diamonds are a girl's best friend; get that ice or else no dice, diamonds are a girl's best friend.
• A punchbowl filled with stars? It's easy with star ice cubes. Or, freeze cranberries in a ring mold for a deep red wreath for the punchbowl.