Super Bowl Party Nibbles

The Super Bowl is upon us!  I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a football fan, but who can resist the opportunity to gather together with all your friends, have some good food and drinks and spend the afternoon having fun....all that and you've got great commercials to watch! So this year, instead of ordering pizza and nuking some nachos, here are some fun and easy ways to upgrade your Super Bowl party food! BACON MAPLE KETTLE CORNUhh.....popcorn, bacon, and maple syrup....what's not to love!  This is a great alternative to nachos or potato chips.  It's surprisingly easy to do and will easily be the talk of the party.6 slices of bacon2 tbl maple syrup1/2 cup popping corn (mushroom corn if you can find it)3 tbl sugar1 tsp saltPan fry the bacon until crispy, remove the bacon from pan and save the bacon grease.  Chop the bacon, put it in a small bowl and toss with the maple syrup.  Pour the bacon grease into a large lidded saucepan and heat over medium heat.  Add the popping corn.  Sprinkle the sugar and salt over the kernels and cover with the lid.  Continually shake the pot while holding the lid down until popping begins. (Those of you out there who came to age when microwave popcorn was already the norm may not realize this is the way we all used to make popcorn!)  Continue to shake until the sound of popping corn has slowed. Pour popped corn into serving bowl.  Drizzle with bacon/syrup mixture and toss.   FOOTBALL ROLLSWedge of Asiago or other hard cheeseOval sandwich rollsPre-heat broiler. Slice the cheese into 1/8” x 1/8” x 3” strips.  Cut half the strips into 1” pieces.  Slice the sandwich rolls.  Place the tops on a baking sheet. Lay the 3” strips down the center of the tops.  Lay three of the inch pieces across to look like football laces.  Place under the broiler just until the cheese starts to melt.  Remove and use for sandwiches. CHOCOLATE COVERED FOOTBALL STRAWBERRIESBag of dark chocolate chipsBag of white chocolate chipsStrawberriesIf you're a health freak wash the strawberries and dry them very well.  If you're not, like me, just buy organic and don't wash them.  The chocolate adheres much better to non-washed berries.  Cover a baking sheet with wax paper.Put the dark chocolate chips into a microwave safe bowl and heat for 15 seconds at a time, checking after each interval and stirring to prevent burning until the chips are melted.Holding the strawberries from their stem and dip each one into the chocolate. Lay on the wax paper to cool and harden.  If the chocolate gets too stiff to work with, put back in the microwave for 10 seconds.Take a cup of the white chocolate chips and melt them as above.  Transfer the melted chips to a pastry tube, squirt bottle or even a freezer bag with the tip of a corner cut off.  Carefully pipe a football seam and laces onto the strawberries.  Let cool and serve.