SUPER BOWL SUNDAY: A North American Tradition Meets a British Classic Cooker

Just like millions of people in England gather every weekend to cheer on their favorite football (aka soccer) teams, Super Bowl parties are one of the top at-home party events of the year in North America. In fact, many people attending these parties do not love football as much as they love the excuse to get together with friends in the midst of a cold, dreary day in February. And what better way to warm up than cooking your party treats on an AGA.
So instead of football fans watching games with eager suspense and the rest of us shaking our heads in confusion why not bridge this gap? Have a game plan for getting everyone together for a Fun Football Feast by establishing a new winter tradition in your household. Think of it as setting up "stations" for your guests where they can be entertained while eating and visiting.

Super Bowl Party Planning Tips:

Whether you''re planning a Super Bowl party out of love for the game or just the desire to host a fun, relaxing party here are tips for making this an AGA super bash:

1. Your AGA can help you plan simple, portable foods that are easy to eat. Nobody wants to be sitting down at a table to eat when they would rather be screaming at a television set or two so try a buffet. Preferably finger food, and definitely food that can be eaten in front of the television. Think about the traditional party food for this event- chips, sour cream or cheese dips (onion soup dip springs to mind), chili, salsa, Buffalo wings, cheese balls, pizza (the Pizza Pizza kind, thank you very much, not the goat cheese and smoked pheasant kind).

2. By utilizing the various ovens on the AGA cooker you can prepare recipes that will not keep you locked in the kitchen all night. You should enjoy the party too. The most you should need to do during the party is pull out extra platters from the refrigerator or pop pre-made trays into and out of the oven. Better yet keep your cooked foods ready-to-serve in the warming oven.

3. Set up as many televisions as you have available around the party area. Have one room set aside without a television for partygoers who are not interested in the game and would like a quieter place to talk. If children will be attending with their parents, set up a television in a quiet room with videotapes to amuse the kids.

4. Plan on plenty of cold beverages, and do not forget the beer. Between the salty snacks, the shouting and all of those commercials bombarding your guests, they will be working up a strong thirst for the suds. It is better to have too much beverages than not enough.

5. If you feel compelled to decorate, think team colors, footballs, team jerseys, goal posts, and pennants but no need to knock yourself out. Most eyes will be more impressed by the clear reception on your television.

6. Have lots of paper towels, napkins and rug cleaner handy for messes created by overenthusiastic guests.

7. Keep a little spare change and small bills handy for any betting pools that just might pop up over the course of the evening.

8. Be prepared to offer your guests a place to sleep in case they overindulge during the game.

9. Let your kids cater the party. Show them how to operate a Superbowl Café.

10. Tape the game to catch the parts you might miss.

The traditional Super Bowl Party is probably the least fussy, most unpretentious party you can host all year. So, there is no point in holding anything back! Get that AGA working for you and go all out and serve everyone''s favorite high fat, finger-licking, cold weather snack foods. After all, your television set is the focal point, not the food. Or is it? Park your tight-end on the couch and dig in!

1 – 8 oz package cream cheese, softened

1- 14 oz jar pizza sauce

⅓ cup onion, finely chopped

2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

½ cup sliced black olives

2 oz sliced pepperoni

corn chips

Press cream cheese in bottom of 9-inch glass pie plate. Spread pizza sauce over cream cheese and layer remaining ingredients in order listed. Place in AGA Roasting Oven and bake for 25 minutes. Serve with corn chips.

BEAN & BACON PIZZA

pizza dough, for 12" pizza

1-16 oz can chili beans, mild or hot

6 slices bacon, cooked & crumbled

1 small onion, thinly sliced in rings

2 cups Mexican cheese blend, shredded

Place rolled out pizza dough on floor of AGA Roasting Oven and bake until crust is slightly golden. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl combine beans (undrained) onion slices and bacon. Remove crust from oven and spread bean mixture over the pizza crust. Sprinkle cheese evenly over the bean mixture. Return pizza to floor of AGA Baking Oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.