Guys, I'm so super über duper excited! This little series, Dress & Dine, is finally here. I have been brainstorming, developing, concocting and working on this for over a year and it has finally come to fruition. And this is just the start. Over the next several months I will be unveiling other pieces  of this series in which I will be intertwining fashion and food in what I hope will be fun and informative ways.

So you want to know the 411 on Dress & Dine? In a nutshell, it is scrumptious style for any occasion aka styling you, styling your food, and styling your space for a scrumptiously stylish gathering. I couldn't think of a better way to kick off my series than with a Super Bowl party (get it? football kick-off time…kicking off the series…ok, never mind).

So Super Bowl….I've got to be honest, unless food (aka wings) and beers are involved, I'm probably not that interested in the game, mostly because I don't understand what is going on (it's just a bunch of guys in tight pants running around a field with a ball, right??). I mean, I was the water girl/ball girl for my college team so you'd think I get it, but let's just say it was a struggle for me to even figure out when the refs needed a new football (how I got that job is completely beyond me). I also started going to a lot of football games during college (go Chiefs!), but we were so busy cheering (obviously had to contribute to one of the loudest stadiums in the NFL) or drinking tailgating, that I somehow ended up knowing even less about football. But two things I do know? Food and fashion. So when it comes to game time I now focus on what I should wear and what I should stuff my face with.

Dress // Style for the Super Bowl (or really any sporting event) should be cute, comfy, and show a touch of team spirit. I've chosen to wear leggings (in anticipation of all the food I'll consume), but boyfriend jeans would also make a great option. I've then layered a chambray shirt over my old Chiefs jersey, but I think layering a chambray shirt under a team sweatshirt or even just tossing on a team t-shirt would work just as well. For footwear, let's all just agree that heels to a sporting event are ridiculous. There are so many cute sneaker options right now that are a great way add your own personal style to your outfit without having to sacrifice on comfort or practicality. I'm sticking with my Chucks, but I also love these, these and these. Finish off the outfit with a few accessories that let your style shine through (I chose some sporty socks and funearrings, but a setofbangles or a watch would also work well). Keep your hair and make-up simple, too. After all, this wings/chips/dips eating, er football game, is serious business, and you don't want a fussy hairstyle or some lipstick and fake eyelashes getting in the way.

Dine // When it comes to Super Bowl party food, let's be honest- the greasier, cheesier, unhealthier, the better. I mean seriously nothing says football like wings and fries. Am I right or am I right??! But sometimes it's nice to switch things up and give your friends a little something different to munch on. For the Super Bowl this year, I'm planning to make several different sandwiches, cut them into thick slices, and set them up as a "sandwich bar" in addition to potato skins, pickles, seasoned crackers, crudités, chili cheese crackers, and a bowl of this dip. The toppings you can put on your sandwiches are endless, meaning there will be something for everyone and none of your guest will be bored with all the flavor options. The Mr. and I whipped up this sandwich based on one we recently saw on The Chew. It's loaded with spicy mayo, chicken tenders rolled in crispy potato chips, bacon, avocado, a quick-pickled pineapple slaw, and, for good measure, a few more chips. I just know it will be a big hit at any Super Bowl party. 

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE PICKLED SLAW

• 1 cup of shredded red cabbage
• 1/2 cup of diced pineapple
• 1 tablespoon of shredded carrot
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon of cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon of crushed red pepper
• 1 teaspoon of fresh cilantro
• 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon of white sugar
• 4 ounces of apple cider vinegar
• Juice of half a lime
• Dash of salt and pepper

FOR THE SPICY MAYO

• 3 tablespoons of mayonaise
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of sriracha (more or less depending on how spicy you want it)
• Juice of half a lime

FOR THE CHICKEN

• 3 chicken tenders (about 1/2 a pound of chicken)
• 1/4 cup kettle-cooked regular potato chips, crushed

FOR THE SANDWICH

• A hero roll, sliced in half lengthwise
• 2 slices of bacon (pre-cooked)
• 1/2 an avocado, sliced
• A handful of kettle-cooked potato chips

INSTRUCTIONS

FOR THE PICKLED SLAW

1. In a mason jar, layer the cabbage, carrots and pineapple. Add in the spices, then pour the vinegar and lime juice on top. Put the lid tightly on the jar and shake until all the ingredients have been well mixed. Place the jar in the refrigerator, for a minimum of one hour. (You can also use a small bowl for this step. Just stir your ingredients with a wooden spoon instead of shaking them, and cover with plastic wrap if your bowl doesn't have a lid.)

FOR THE CHICKEN

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place the crushed chips in a shallow dish, then roll each piece of chicken in the chips to give them a crunchy coating. Place the chicken pieces on a foil lined baking sheet. Bake for 6 minutes, then flip over and bake another 6 minutes. Set aside.
2. While your slaw is pickling and the chicken is baking, prep your other ingredients. Slice the avocado, bake the bacon until it's crunchy and crisp, and mix up the spicy mayo by simply stirring together the mayonnaise, sriracha, and lime juice in a small bowl.

TO ASSEMBLE THE SANDWICH

1. Lay out your bread. Slather each half generously with spicy mayo. Then, on one half of the bread, layer on the chicken, then the bacon, top that with the avocado, then sprinkle on some chips and finish it off with the pickled slaw. Place the top of the sandwich on and firmly press everything together. Slice the sandwich in half, for bigger servings, or into quarters, for more of a finger food. This should be served right away, or the chips and bacon begin to get soggy.

NOTES

• For the crunchiest results, make sure you use kettle-cooked chips. I have not used any flavor but regular in this sandwich, although I'm sure something like BBQ or Sweet 'n Spicy Jalapeño would add some additional flavor.

If you're not into sandwiches, serve a few of these 15 burgers but as sliders. Additionally, you could set up a guacamole bar, serve these bite-sized reuben wontons, and these spicy corn dog muffins are always a tasty treat. For a bit of a classier Super Bowl party try one of these 3 easy apps or a bowl of this marinated shrimp. And for those of you short on time, this beer and cheese party is the perfect easy and tasty solution. 

For other game day essentials check out this post from Mr. RC and if you have any questions about what to cook or what to wear for your Super Bowl party (or any other party, for that matter) don't hesitate to reach out to me (alyssa@runwaychef.com) or via Twitter and Facebook.