Here’s what to know about some of the most searched Super Bowl foods and a new one to try – Detroit Free Press

Susan Selasky

| Detroit Free Press

Hey sports fans: It’s time for Super Bowl. And that means plenty of food offerings. The Super Bowl is as much about the food as it is the game.

Super Bowl will no doubt look and be different this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. A survey by the National Retail Federation (NRF) found that only 28% of respondents – the lowest in the survey’s history – say they will have or go to a party or watch the game at a bar.

But several results about gatherings and food are giving direction on what’s trending in the food world for Super Bowl.

On the field, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are battling it out for the championship. At home, the battle is all about the food.

So, what’s the game plan? Here are a few options to get you started.

Follow trends — carefully

Google Trends released its annual most-searched Super Bowl foods by state. Rest assured, Michiganders’ most-searched food item is chicken wings. It’s always a favorite. But more on that later.

Several states had the usual searched suspects: Buffalo chicken dip, 7-layer dip, sliders, and sandwiches.

Other states weren’t so lucky. The map revealed some oddities, so we didn’t take it too seriously. In Nebraska, they search for labneh – a Middle Eastern-style tangy yogurt cheese dish. In New Hampshire, searches for pork chow mein were tops. And those in Vermont search for lasagna. On the West Coast, Oregonians search for, get this, pasta fagioli. For Super Bowl?

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Chicken wings

Americans will eat more than 1.4 billion chicken wings, up 2% from last year, according to the National Chicken Council’s annual Wing Report.

Even with restaurant trips down 11%, servings of chicken wings are up 7%, according to the report. Several reasons are driving the increase, said Tom Super, council spokesman.

“If you think about it, restaurants like wing joints and pizza places were built around takeout and delivery, so they didn’t have to change their business model that much during the pandemic.”

Although sales are up, there shouldn’t be a problem getting wings.

“The wing market is tight, and wholesale prices are a little high, but there won’t be a shortage,” Super said. “Just don’t wait until the last minute to buy them!”

What’s the secret to crispy chicken wings without frying?

Use baking soda. Yes, baking soda. The kind that’s in most pantries. And a little goes a long way. All you need to do is mix in the baking soda with whatever you are seasoning the chicken wings with. Why does this work? The scientific answer is that baking soda is an alkaline and raises the pH level of the chicken wings. This also helps the wings brown and crisp faster. Add 1/2 teaspoon to whatever you are seasoning the wings with for about 3 pounds wings. Make sure the wings are patted dry well before seasoning. Pop in the oven or use an air-fryer.

Creamy dips

A Super Bowl spread without some sort of creamy and cheesy dip is like your team getting a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. According to the Game Day Eats report from DoorDash, spinach and artichoke is a Michigan favorite dip. While any type of dip will do, creamy and cheesy is the route to go. DoorDash also listed Coney Island hot dogs as tops in Michigan. The DoorDash report was based on food trends on game days through the 2020-2021 NFL season.

Easy-to-make sliders

What’s not to like about easy, warm, and gooey with cheese handheld sandwiches. These slider-style sandwiches are popular on social media. Cheeseburger sliders are tops in California according to Google Trends. But any variety will do because they are ideal for any size gathering. You can make them with any lunch meat and cheese combo from thinly sliced roast beef to chicken to turkey and even fish. You can use thicker slices of leftover beef or beef brisket, pulled pork, and whole pieces of chicken.

Using buttery and sweet Hawaiian-style rolls is popular because they come unsliced. You slice the entire roll horizontally to get two halves. Brush the inside top and bottom halves with a choice of condiment. Layer meats, cheeses, and other ingredients on the bottom half. Place the other half of the rolls on top. Pop in the oven for about 20 minutes to warm and melt the cheese. Serve by pulling apart or slicing into individual sliders.

Not into chicken wings? Try ‘Pig Wings’

Just in time for Super Bowl, local Birmingham-based Pioneer Meats long-time Pig Wings product is showing up at some area Costco stores. The name ‘”Pig Wings” is trademarked by Bob File of Pioneer Meats who processed these little ham shanks in the Midwest. The idea for Pig Wings came to File and business partner Bob George more than a dozen years ago. Pre-pandemic, Pioneer Meats mainly sold the little pork shanks online and for food service. But for a limited time, they are available at some area Costco stores, according to File. At Costco, File said, they are sold in 2 ¼ pound packages. File said 5 pound packages of the pork wings are available online at pioneermeats.com. The Pig Wings are pre-seasoned, and you can grill, microwave or deep-fry. You can also pop them in the air fryer.

Contact Detroit Free Press food writer Susan Selasky: 313-222-6872 or sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter.

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Published at Sat, 06 Feb 2021 11:01:39 +0000