Celebrate Super Bowl Sunday in Merrimack

It's Super Bowl Sunday. Tonight's game between the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers, kicks off at 6:30 p.m. in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, La.

If you haven't mapped out your Big Game-day snacks, what are you waiting for?

Whether you're watching for a good football game, the fresh, funny and over the top commercials or for the half-time show, the common denominator among most at a Super Bowl party are the wings, the nachos and the pizza – and rightfully so.

There’s something about Super Bowl food that gives the day an almost Thanksgiving-like aura. Both events boast a big, communal meal – except on Super Bowl Sunday, it’s usually deep fried and covered in Buffalo sauce.

In Merrimack, there are plenty of local places to look for the perfect Super Bowl treats.

The Pizza Kitchen has a full range of their wings with specials sauces – Sweet Georgia, BBQ, Honey BBQ, Teriyaki, Hot Buffalo,Medium Buffalo, Mild Buffalo, Cajun, Honey Mustard, Sweet and Tangy, Hot Garlic, and Garlic Butter. Their full menu is also available.

Check out the new Spartan Pizza where you can get pizza, wings, fried chicken, fresh seafood and more – one reader said recently to definitely check out the fried chicken.

Sal's Pizza is offering 47 wings for only $19.99 with the purchase of any two extra large, 19" pizzas – while supplies last. Pre-order your gametime meal.

And don't forget the sweets!

Cupcake Conspiracy and Swan Chocolates are serving up dessert in true lip-smacking delicious fashion. Stop in early for the best selection.

If you’d rather whip something up yourself, try these easy recipes:

Sweet and Spicy Guacamole

Ingredients:

•    3 ripe avocados
•    1 ripe mango
•    Seeds from 1 pomegranate
•    1 serano or jalapeno pepper, diced
•    1/2 a red onion, chopped
•    1 teaspoon garlic powder
•    1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
•    Salt and pepper to taste
•    1 bag of tortilla chips 

Directions:

1. Peel and pit avocados.
2. Mash the avocados in a non-metal bowl.
3. Peel and chop mango.
4. De-seed pomegranate (or buy packaged seeds if you want to skip this part).
5. Chop onion and dice serano pepper.
6. Mix above ingredients and add salt, pepper, cayenne and garlic.
7. Mix well, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use.
8. Serve with tortilla chips.

Buffalo Chicken Meatballs (adapted from Rachael Ray) - serves 8

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds ground white meat chicken
• 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, pressed or finely chopped
• 1 cup cilantro or parsley, chopped
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter
• 1 cup hot sauce (such as Frank’s or Cholula)
• 3 scallions, green and white parts thinly sliced
• Store-bought, good quality blue cheese dressing for dipping
• 1 bag pre-cut celery sticks
• 1 bag pre-cut carrot sticks

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400ºF.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken with the onion, garlic and cilantro or parsley, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
3. Shape the chicken mixture into balls—you should have 32 meatballs in total.
4. Arrange the meatballs on a wire rack on a foil-covered sheet pan and drizzle with olive oil.
5. Bake until the meatballs are cooked through and golden brown, about 10-12 minutes.
6. While the meatballs are baking, melt the butter in a large, flat bottom pan over medium heat.
7. Add the hot sauce and whisk to combine.
8. In the pan, toss the baked meatballs in the hot sauce to coat (you may do this in batches) and transfer to a serving platter.
9. Place the blue cheese dressing in a small serving bowl and garnish with chopped scallions.
10. Serve the meatballs with toothpicks alongside the blue cheese dressing, celery and carrot sticks.

If you want to enjoy Super Bowl food without the super mess, head to The Homestead Restaurant and Tavern for the last Sunday of 29-cent wing during football or Tortilla Flat for $1.50 Bud, Bud Light, and Coors Light drafts during the game, along with $2 tacos and all of their Happy Hour food specials.

TELL US: What are some of your favorite recipes for Super Bowl snacks? Share in the comments below.