Super Bowl Sunday at The Royal Chef’s Home

 I get disappointed when people show up with store bought and prepared food. It’s so easy to make a dish of fresh ingredients and something different that will get the group talking. Here is a recipe that will have your sister or mother-in-law green with envy as you place it in the center of the table and slowly walk away to the whispers of  “ Well she didn’t buy that at Sam’s Club”

Buffalo Chicken Macaroni Cheese Balls    (recipe below) 

I’ve been living in the USA now for sixteen years and it took me a while to get excited about Super bowl Sunday parties. I could never understand the lengths families would go to when it came to food planning for the event. The biggest ‘football’ event in the UK is the F.A. Cup, played once a year at Wembley stadium in London. But when it comes to food for this event everyone is happy with fish and chips on the way to the game and a steak pie and mug of tea at half time.

Over the years I have to admit enjoying the ‘gatherings’ where most people host ‘potluck’ parties for Super bowl.  It’s a term unheard of across the pond and something I had to Google when first invited. I now love turning up at peoples homes and tasting the variety of food a potluck party brings. At the buffet table though, I do always feel like I am being watched as I sample or pass on a dish and often asked to comment. I guess that comes with being a chef.

Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese Balls

Makes about 12

1 cup elbow pasta, cooked al dente and drained

1 tsp Dijon mustard

1 cup mature cheddar

½ cup parmesan cheese

2 Tbs butter

2 Tbs flour

½ cup milk

½ cup heavy cream

Salt and cayenne pepper to taste

1 cooked chicken breast,

2 Tbs buffalo wing sauce (or to taste)

3 eggs, beaten

1 cup flour

1 cup panko crumbs

 In a large pan melt the butter and add the flour. Whisk in the cream and milk. On low heat add the parmesan and cheddar. Season with salt and cayenne pepper.  Dice the chicken and fold through the cheese and pasta. Refrigerate the mix for at least 2 hours or overnight and shape into small golf ball size balls. Toss in the flour, then the egg and finally the panko being sure to coat the balls in each.

Deep fry at 350 degrees until golden.