Whether you’re a die-hard football fan or just watching for the commercials, we can all agree that the best part of the big game is the celebration that comes with it. Friends, food and an afternoon of friendly competition—what’s not to love? This year is an extra special one for Target because not only will the big game be played right in our hometown of Minneapolis, we also designed the official volunteer uniforms and are getting in the hosting spirit with our very own Bullseye Lodge.

For guests celebrating at home, we teamed up with James Beard Award-winner and Minneapolis Star Tribune’s Chef of the Year Gavin Kaysen to give you a taste of our home state. If you live in the Twin Cities, you’ll recognize chef Kaysen from his restaurants, Spoon and Stable and Bellecour. And if you aren’t from the North, you may have seen him battling it out on “Iron Chef America” and “Chopped All Stars.”

Chef Kaysen is helping us gear up for our big game bash with tips, adult beverage picks and Minnesota-inspired recipes made entirely from ingredients you can grab on this week’s Target run, featuring Target-exclusive brands Archer Farms, Simply Balanced and Market Pantry items.

“I love getting together with friends and family and playing football outside in the snow before and after the game with the kids,” Kaysen says. “I like to do all of the prep work ahead of time and usually have everything ready to go, so once my company shows up, I’m ready to open some wine, relax and heat things up as we want them.”

Check out his recipes below, perfect for serving up at your game day party!

Cod Brandade with Tortilla “Fry Bread” (Serves 6-8)
“In Minnesota we cook with white fish often and as a result of my cooking background, I like to influence that with French technique. This is a salted white fish dip with fry bread—something I cook often at home for my family.”

Beverage Pairing: Bravino Sparkling Prosecco

What You’ll Need:

1 lb Simply Balanced Cod Fillets
1 ½ lb Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced
¼ cup roasted garlic
1 small yellow onion, diced
1 cup Market Pantry Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 quart Simply Balanced Whole Milk
1 quart Simply Balanced Organic Chicken Broth
1 tbsp. kosher salt
1 package Market Pantry 6in. Flour Tortillas
Market Pantry 100% Canola Oil

What You’ll Do:

For the Brandade:

1. In a large pot, heat 1 tbsp. olive oil and add the diced onion. Cook until soft.
2. Add the cod fillets, half the salt and the Yukon Gold potatoes. Cook for 5 minutes or until the cod begins to flake.
3. Cover with the milk and chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Cook for 30 minutes or until the potatoes are cooked through.
4. Strain the liquid and place the solids into a standing mixer with a paddle attachment.
5. Add the roasted garlic to the potatoes and begin mixing on low speed. 
6. Slowly add the warm milk mixture until a stiff mashed potato consistency is achieved.
7. With the mixer on low speed, add the olive oil in a slow stream until fully incorporated.
8. Season with remaining salt.

For the “Fry Bread:”

1. In an 8-inch skillet, heat 1 tbsp. canola oil. Add the tortilla and cook until crisp. Flip the tortilla and repeat. Season with salt while hot.
2. Allow the tortillas to chill to room temperature and break into chip size pieces.

Simply Balanced Swedish Meatballs (makes 36 meatballs)
“My wife was born and raised in Sweden, and with all of the Scandinavian roots in Minnesota, this made sense to me. Putting them on skewers is perfect for Sunday’s big game and any party beyond that.”

Beverage Pairing:  California Roots Red Blend

What You’ll Need:

For the Meatballs:

1 lb Simply Balanced Grass Fed Ground Beef
1 lb Simply Balanced Ground Turkey
2 tsp. kosher salt
¼ tsp. allspice
1 tsp. ground black pepper
¼ tsp. cloves
1 medium yellow onion, diced
2 tsp. finely chopped garlic
4 Simply Balanced Large Eggs
¼ cup Simply Balanced Whole Milk
¼ cup bread crumbs
Market Pantry Whole Cranberry Sauce
Kosher pickles, chopped

For the Gravy:

1 tbsp. Simply Balanced Unsalted Butter
1 tbsp. Simply Balanced Organic AP Flour
1 1/2 cup Simply Balanced Whole Milk
1 bay leaf
½ tsp. ground black pepper
½ small yellow onion, diced
Pan drippings

What You’ll Do:

For the Meatballs:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a sauté pan over medium heat, cook the onions and garlic until soft and translucent. Allow the onions to cool to room temperature.
3. In a mixing bowl, combine the turkey, beef, salt and spices and mix until combined.
4. In a second mixing bowl, combine the milk, bread crumbs, onions and eggs and fold together.
5. Fold the egg mixture into the meat and spices and work until combined.
6. Portion the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place onto a prepared baking sheet.
7. Cook the meatballs for 12-15 minutes or until cooked through. 

For the Gravy:

1. Pour the drippings from the meatballs into a saucepan.
2. Bring the drippings to a simmer and add the butter and onion. Cook until the onion becomes translucent.
3. Add the flour and cook for 5 minutes.
4. Add the milk, black pepper and bay leaf and bring to a simmer. Cook the sauce for 15 minutes.
5. Combine the meatballs with the sauce and garnish with cranberry jam and chopped kosher pickles.

Hot Buttered Rum Coffee Chocolate Pudding (Makes 8 servings)
“I often loved to make pudding as a child. This is an ode to my grandmother and what she taught me in the kitchen.”

Beverage Pairing: Surly Coffee Bender

What You’ll Need:

2 tbsp. Archer Farms Hot Buttered Rum Coffee Grounds
4 cups Simply Balanced Whole Milk
12 large egg yolks
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels
¼ cup corn starch
1 cup Market Pantry Sweetened Whipped Topping
1 cup Archer Farms Chocolate Salted Caramel Trail Mix, roughly chopped

What You’ll Do:

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the yolks, sugar and corn starch. Set aside.
2. Combine the milk with the coffee grounds and bring to a simmer. Immediately remove from heat and steep for 10 minutes. Strain the milk through a colander to remove the coffee grounds.
3. Temper the warm milk into the yolk mixture and chocolate morsels and pour into a clean saucepan. 
4. Over low heat, whisk the mixture until it becomes thick. 
5. Pour the thickened mixture into 8 individual serving glasses and chill for 1 hour. 
6. Top with a layer of salted caramel trail mix and whipped topping.

Shop everything you’ll need for the big game and more in stores or online at Target.com!

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