Super celebrating

Good eats for a better Bowl party

When it comes to Super Bowl party food, Brett Stein, executive chef of Catering by Michael's in Morton Grove, knows what he's doing. The Bears fan realizes that Super Bowl entertaining is about preparing simplistic recipes for munching throughout the game.

Stein recommends serving three varieties of pico de gallo (a sultry Cuban, a refreshing Thai and a Southwestern with baby shrimp), easy-to-make barbecue chicken pizzas to be heated at half-time and Cajun-spiced popcorn.

Stein recommends serving three varieties of pico de gallo (a sultry Cuban, a refreshing Thai and a Southwestern with baby shrimp), easy-to-make barbecue chicken pizzas to be heated at half-time and Cajun-spiced popcorn.

For Thai chili pico de gallo: Combine 1½ cups chopped Roma tomatoes, 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro, 1 tablespoon minced ginger, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 tablespoons fish sauce and 2 teaspoons Thai chili paste (called sambal oelek), both available in Asian stores. Refrigerate overnight; serve with Kame Rice Crunch Crackers (available in Asian stores or Jewel).

For Thai chili pico de gallo: Combine 1½ cups chopped Roma tomatoes, 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro, 1 tablespoon minced ginger, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 tablespoons fish sauce and 2 teaspoons Thai chili paste (called sambal oelek), both available in Asian stores. Refrigerate overnight; serve with Kame Rice Crunch Crackers (available in Asian stores or Jewel).

For Southwestern shrimp pico de gallo: Combine ?206-140? of a white onion (chopped), ½ tomato (diced), ?206-140? cup cilantro (chopped), ?226-130? teaspoon hot sauce, 2 tablespoons cocktail sauce, 2 tablespoons ketchup, juice of half a lime, 1 cup cooked baby bay shrimp, ?206-140? cup tomato juice, ½ avocado (diced small), and 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper (more or less to taste). Refrigerate overnight; serve with tortilla chips.

For Cajun-spiced popcorn: Combine 2 tablespoons kosher salt, 1 tablespoon black pepper, 1 tablespoon paprika, 1½ teaspoons granulated garlic, 1½ teaspoons onion powder, ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon dry oregano and 1 teaspoon dry thyme for spice mixture. Toss ½ cup spice mixture with 1 gallon popped popcorn and 1 stick melted butter.

Touchdown!

C.S., Deerfield

Any chance Shaw's Crab House would part with its recipe for Key lime pie?

J.R., Hoffman Estates

I would appreciate a recipe for an old-fashioned version of chop suey.

J.B.B., Chicago

Send recipes and requests to: Swap Shop, Chicago Sun-Times, 350 N. Orleans, 9th Floor, Chicago 60654 or by e-mail, swapshop@suntimes.com.

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