BIG GAME MADNESS!!! New show tomorrow, Access Hollywood Monday!

Hey! There's a new Cooking for Real tomorrow, I'm hangin out on Food Network all weekend between shows and catch me Monday on Access Hollywood live :-). I'm all over these grid-iron eats!

You know we LOVE a food holiday at Food Network and next week's Sunday festivities are just in time if you ask me. Even though the JETS didn't make it, I'm still gonna figure out a way to celebrate and the addition of some comfort food will soothe my wounds. I am really excited actually, just think about it -- next to New Year's Day, the BIG GAME kicks off the eating season for the year. So, one season closes and another opens. All this weekend we have everything you need on Food Network to plan for a great party and we also have some great ideas and recipes online. Remember when I told you a few weeks ago my girl Natina and I taped some stuff at the Chip Shop in Brooklyn? Well, those segments are running all weekend on Food Network, so I hope you enjoy! Ok here's a list of stuff to check out ...

NEW Cooking for Real airs Sunday at 11AM!
It's called GAMER'S GATHERING
On the menu tomorrow ...
Spicy Boiled Peanuts - These are so easy to make and perfect for a party. My dad made these all the time growing up, I just added some spice. Make these the day before and reheat them the morning of the BIG GAME :-). Then make sure there's a big bowl for everyone to discard their shells.

Grown Up Bologna Sandwiches - Just what it sounds like, the childhood pleasure on an adult palate. These are clever and an easy sell to any beefy or skinny guy for that manner, cuz my dude loves them!

Nachos Blanco with Roasted Jalapeno Salsa - Along the same theme, these are grown-up nachos. Not bachelor/bachelorette nachos. Not college student nachos. But, grown woman and man nachos lol. I just think the "huge block of cheese melted with salsa" nachos has seen it's days and the "broiler-burned chips with crusty melted cheddar cheese" nachos is just a tragedy. So, I say phone in the chicken and buy the rotisserie from the grocer, but make the salsa and the cheese sauce. You know if I'm doing it, it's EASY. Trust me, for the little bit of work needed for these nachos, the compliments will be exponential.

And to drink ...
BEER PUNCH!!! - This is something I came up with about 4 years ago. I was working at a magazine called HIP HOP WEEKLY as the Food & Lifestyle editor. I had a little column called Belly of the Beats and interviewed various recording artists about what they ate, cooked, like to drink, etc. Well, rapper Da Brat said she loved to put a drop of grenadine in her beer to turn it pink. I thought, "that's cute", but then thought to myself "where's the flavor with just a drop?". Felt almost like a wasted ingredient that if used right could add flavor and color. So I added some fruit, more grenadine, some sugar and a squirt of lime juice! Now, the grenadine is doing more work than just looking pretty. Give this one a try, beer drinkers like it and so do people that say "eww, I don't do beer".

Still need more help with your BIG GAME party? Check out my section on Food Network.com called Sunny's Strategic Super Bowl Menu

or check out the end zone for Big Game party hosts, touchdowns in the kitchen allowed :-), That's over at the BIG GAMEsegment of the website.


I'm in California a bit early this weekend for my Monday morning visit to Access Hollywood Live with Billy and Kit. I was just here for Thanksgiving and now I'm back with some great tips for a successful Gameday strategy. DVR and check your local listings. Or, just click here and see if it's in your area.