Super Bowl Snack Thrown Down the winner is...

It was a great Super Bowl. The Who Dat Nation played their hearts out against the favored Colts. The underdogs seemed to have an advantage today.

Like the teams one the field, we have the final two competitors fighting it out in the Highlowaha.com Super Bowl Snack Throw Down. The heavily favored Kate from www.goodiesbykate.blogspot.com versus the underdog, Ray from www.highlowaha.com.

First the two dishes. Kate's recipe was the Fantasy Frito Candy. This recipe was simple and sweet. While we didn't use a crockpot to melt the chocolate chips (we used a double broiler, which is easier to clean then our crockpot), the recipe was quick and easy to make. While making this recipe, I could see how it can be easily adapted to your favorite cereal (i.e. rice cripspies) or ingredient (half butterscotch chips or peanut butter chips). Don't be afraid to try this recipe. If you can make rice crispy treats, you too can make these fantasy bars. It's also a great idea to make with your kids (but don't let them play with hot items, please). This quick and easy recipe is a good go to item when you need something to bring to a party and don't know what to bring. Sure to be a hit with the kids.

Second up is Ray's Two Bean Lettuce Raps. We gave Ray some props for offering a meat and non-meat option (always good to look out for those vegetarians in the crowd). We prepared all the ingredients, which was mainly opening cans and bags (too hard Ray, Matt has a bum wrist), and mixed them in a large bowl. Although we could have prepared the wraps without meat, Matt wouldn't have it. He's a meat guy if you didn't know.

With snacks in hand, we headed to the Vallaha lounge (a silly Vikings fan's house because he swore that the Vikings would be in the Super Bowl, we knew that he would be wrong - of course, but we let him have the party away).

With all the usual suspects of Struble Suds on a road trip up the street, we dug into the Fantasy Frito Candy and Two Bean Letttuce Wraps. The debate was torrid. Some people were stern, there should be no lettuce at a Super Bowl party - who needs any stupid fiber. Others said, candy, I don't want any candy, give me more meat.

The biggest group that was adament on a winner - kids. They only wanted Fantasy Frito Candy. Hands down a kid favorite.

In the end though, Two Bean Lettuce Wraps proved to be too much for the Fantasy Frito Candy with adults out voting the kids. The meat, cheese and crunch of the two bean lettuce wraps won over the crowd.

Like the underdog Saints, Ray pulled out a late victory. What can we say, it was a day for the underdogs.

Kate, your recipes throughout the competition were delicious. We thank you for your participation in the Super Bowl Snack Throw Down. It was a great season for everyone who participated. Who knows what next year will hold.

And the final playoff round goes to.....

It's the end of the playoffs. We're awaiting the end of the Vikings/Saint game, but we have a winner in this week's HighLowAha.com Super Bowl Snack Thrown.

It was a big week in Struble Suds. Today was our Digiorno Pizza Party. Thanks House Party for all the wonderful Digiorno pizza.

To complement our pizza party, the secret ingredient of the day was kielbasa. Kielbasa is a great football food. It can be use as an appetizer or a main ingredient. Our two competitors entered two appetizers.

First up was Kate's Inside Pocket Sausages. The idea of a mustard bar for the kielbasa wrapped in pastry was popular. Overall everyone like these little sausage pockets.

Second up was Lauren's kielbasa bites. These great little bites are simple to prepare. Who would have thought simmering in ginger ale would create glazed kielbasa goodness. Very original recipe.

So who was the Struble Suds favorite of the week - Lauren's kielbasa bites won over the crowd. Everyone was intrigued by the ginger ale recipe and we are looking forward to trying this idea at our next gathering.

We've listed the super easy recipe below for everyone to enjoy.

Thanks again to Lauren and Kate for all the great recipes this season. Well done ladies and good luck in the Final Super Bowl.

Kielbasa Bites

Ingredients

• 1 package kielbasa
• 1 12oz can ginger ale

Chop the kielbasa into 1/2" slices. Place in a medium to large skillet and pour the ginger ale over the top. Bring to a slow boil and then simmer until brown and caramelized and all liquid is gone, stirring occasionally - about 45 minutes to an hour.

Stadium Bars take battle Vanilla

Hello Struble Suds patrons. Sorry that this post is a little late today.
Yesterday we had another successful Super Bowl Battle. It was Julie's Orange Bruise vs. Nicole's Stadium Bars. Both used vanilla very well and actually paired well with each other. The Haacks, Finns, Laskowskis, and Strubles were in attendance.
First up was Julie's Orange Bruise. It is a drink made of dark soda (we used Coke), orange vodka and vanilla. A very good combination. Plus, there was a good story with this "bowl" item. Julie learned that you can't send liquor in the mail. No worries, Matt stopped by our local store and we were good to go. Personally, I really liked the Orange Bruise - maybe that's why this post is a little late today.


The second competitor was Nicole and her Stadium Bars. These were made of brownie, popcorn, peanuts and chocolate chips. All of the ingredients were soaked in vanilla. Super yummy. Kevin had a plate to himself.

So by a narrow margin... Nicole was the winner. We'll be sending you the official Struble Suds/Super Bowl competition weekly prize in the next couple of days.

Thanks again to Julie & Nicole. We all were very impressed with your entries. It made the Packer loss a little more tolerable by having your special treats.

And if your in the neighborhood, stop by on Nov 9 for the Second annual Struble Suds Chili cook-off.

And the winner is....

So the votes are in - it was a very, very close battle. But by a slight margin ... Tera is the winner of battle garlic.

Tera submitted a garlic pretzel bits & dip dish. The pretzels were very flavorful and super crunchy. Many women were going back for seconds and thirds - no worries about garlic breath in the crowd. Everyone wondered how Tera got her pretzels so crunchy - Tera what is your secret?

Stacie's snack was garlic oyster crackers. These were great too - especially when eaten by the handful, as many loyalists did. The lemon & dill flavors really added a special touch. Matthew & Sophie were big fans of the oyster crackers. Stacie provided extra seasoning packets too - Matthew's excited to have a new afternoon snack this week.

Also - a special thanks to Tera - who had a very creative box. Matthew & William were very excited to see the Packer/Struble Suds decorated box. Although the decoration did not influence the judges - it was very thoughtful and greatly appreciated by the Struble household.

Did I mention that today was the first Struble Suds tailgate of the season!!!
Yes, we gathered outside on a beautiful afternoon before the start of the Packer game. Besides our delicious garlic snacks, we had brats, sausage, beans, pasta salad - and beverages too. Some even practiced cornhole for next week's Struble Suds Cornhole tournament.

Thanks everyone for a great football day. And a special thanks to Tera and Stacie. Job well done Super Bowl Contestants. You can feed us anytime.

PACKERS Win!!!

Yesterday was a wonderful day for the patrons of Struble Suds. The Green Bay Packers beat the Detroit Lions. Yeah Packers. In other news - the Bears and Vikings lost - a great football day.

Also, Pomeroy Pub hosted the Struble Suds loyalist who braved the rain & floods to make trek up north.

Thanks Pomeroys - we all had a great time!

And... Sunday is week 2 of the Super Bowl Competition - it's battle garlic. Who's dish will reign supreme?

Got any thoughts on the Packer win, the fun at Pomeroy Pub or anything else - Post a comment - we would love to hear from you.

And the Battle Bacon Winner Is....

As you probably have read at highlowaha.com, the battle bacon winner was Richard.

We had 12 judges in attendance last night during the Green Bay Packer WIN. Judges included the Strubles, the Haack family, the Tourlas family, Kevin, Katelyn, Tom & Nicole.

The two dishes were bacon sauce over pasta and Cheesy Bacon Party Mix 'n Dip.

When the votes were counted, Richard's dish received a slight edge. Maybe the cold rainy weather helped put him over the top. Kevin asked for the leftovers to be sent home with him.

Matthew was a big fan of the Party Mix by Brian. He really liked the cheesy crackers and ate half a bowl by himself.

The Struble Suds patrons were very excited about the first Super Bowl event. Some of the regulars, who were not in attendance, called the Suds hotline, 630-cld-beer, to get the low down on the bacon dishes.

During the next battle, I'll have more pictures to upload. Unfortunately, mid-battle swimming lessons and first day of preschool prep over took photography duty.

Remember to vote on Friday, Sept 12 at www.highlowaha.com for our next secret ingredient.

We're all looking forward to the next battle and of course, the next Packer WIN.

Let the Battle Bacon BEGIN

Welcome everyone to the first week of the Super Bowl Competition. We will officially start the tasting around 6 pm (CST).
I have in my possession Brian's entry. Richard's will be arriving this afternoon.
Who will have the superior Bacon snack? The loyal patrons of Struble Suds will vote. The winner will be announced on Tuesday. Hopefully there will be many pictures and comments too, check here and at www.strublesuds.com.
Also, as stated in Claudia's blog today (www.highlowaha.com), she will be giving away an official highlowaha patch to the person who can most closely predict tonight's final score in the Packer v. Viking game.
Good luck Richard and Brian - may the best man win.
And of course - GO Packers.

Week One - the Super Bowl Competition

The Super Bowl competition is set to begin. The official kick-off will be on Sept 8 during the Packers - Vikings game.
This week's combatants are Richard & Brian. The secret ingredient is BACON.
Who's snack will reign supreme? Check back to find out.
And remember.... Go Pack Go!