Take home the trophy with your Super Bowl party

The buzz is building in the New York City area—our Yonkers, New York, offices are only about 30 minutes from Giants Stadium—during the run-up to Super Bowl XLII this Sunday, February 3.

I’m planning my own party for the smackdown between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots. I’ll make Argentinean Short Ribs, a recipe provided to us by grilling guru Steven Raichlen, and chicken smothered in Consumer Reports barbecue sauce, which our readers rave about. (Look for these and other grilling recipes here.) I’ll be sure to refer to our grilling techniques to make sure the meat doesn’t stick to the grill.

I have not yet finalized the rest of get-together, but I know I’ll be serving plenty of chips, pizza, and beer and following the advice of Iron Chef Cat Cora and trying some of her party recipes.

My pal Sue doesn’t appreciate football, so she throws a different kind of Super Bowl soirée: She turns on the game but keeps the sound off. She and her friends peacefully enjoy their wine, cheese, chocolates, and other sophisticated fare. After the second quarter ends, Sue turns up the TV and everyone watches the halftime extravaganza. (With Tom Petty as the marquee entertainer during the intermission, we’re unlikely to see another Jackson-and-Timberlake “wardrobe malfunction.”) Upon the second-half kickoff, the TV goes silent again.

Whether you host a big bash or a quiet gathering, you’ll still have to clean up at the end of the evening. If your vacuum or dishwasher no longer gets the job done, read our expert advice on how to find the best appliances.—Kimberly Janeway

Essential information: Try our easy food-processor recipes and find out the truth behind the “Super Bowl flush.”