February 10, 2023
It all started on January 15, 1967, when the Kansas City Chiefs from the American Football League played the Green Bay Packers from the National Football League. Until this point, the two leagues were separated and considered rivals. They competed for fans and players and didn’t care for each other much. In 1966, the decision was made to merge by 1970, and in 1967 the first Super Bowl was played. It wasn’t until after the game that Chiefs owner, Lamar Hunt, came up with the term “Super Bowl.”
With the invention of the wooden-sided station wagon in 1930 came along a rear folding tailgate. Fans drove the station wagon to college football games, using the tailgate as a picnic table of sorts, and tailgating was born. Once portable grills and coolers were invented in the 1950s, tailgating took on a whole new vibe. Cold beer and ribs replaced sandwiches and red wine. Then, in the 1970s, the car culture took hold and stadiums were relocated out of inner cities to the suburbs where there was ample parking, and the tailgating experience that we know today was cemented into our culture.
In honor of Super Bowl LVII, the culinary team here at Cedar Trails Senior Living will be celebrating the big day with a loaded nacho bar with all the fixings, chicken wings, mini deli sandwiches, and assorted dips. As Culinary Director I’ve prepared a lot of different items, but my favorite Super Bowl snacks are chicken wings.
There is a lot that goes into making a delicious wing. The crispy, crunchy factor comes down to temp and time of frying. And let’s not forget the accompanying sauce! I like to add a little zing or surprise to that classic ranch dipping sauce. To make sure everyone is happy, I have some wings that are spicy, some that are a sweet BBQ, and my personal favorite, a garlic parmesan.
Happy accident? A Bar in New York accidently received the wrong chicken delivery and got wings. As to not waste them, they fried them, tossed them in a hot sauce mixture, and began selling them at their Buffalo Bar. Therefore, wings and beer are such a great pairing.
If you’re in the area, stop by to celebrate the big game with us! And if you can’t make it, check out our social media pages to see the great snacks we made and the awesome time we had watching the game!
Cedar Trails Senior Living in Freeburg, IL offers independent senior apartments, assisted living, and memory care with a variety of services and a range of floor plan options. Amenities include restaurant dining, 24-hour bistro, concierge service, housekeeping, events and entertainment, personal care, transportation services, and more. Centrally located near St. Elizabeth’s Hospital with convenient access to major shopping centers, including The Orchards Golf Club, Target, Eckerts Belleville Farm, Braeutigam Orchards, and the Belle Clair fairgrounds & Expo Center.
