The Super Bowl is this Sunday! Even if you are not a big football fan it doesn’t mean that you can’t put together a fun football party. Everyone knows that no Super Bowl is complete without the food and commercials.  When planning the menu for this big get together don’t forget about your eating local resolution.

Make the perfect layered bean dip and serve with Casa Valdez tortilla chips made right in Caldwell. Include Idaho beans, sour cream from Meadowgold or Darigold, cheese from Ballards, Idaho onions, and delicious salsa from Treasure Valley Salsa. If you want to stick with the Mexican food theme, Quesadillas made with Idaho cheese are a crowd pleaser and easy to make. Look for corn, flour and even whole wheat tortillas from Casa Valdez or Fresca. Serve on the side with Idaho sour cream and Treasure Valley salsa.

Another great choice is hot dogs or chorizos.  Look for Falls Brand and Gem Pack franks that can be found at most local grocery stores. Another great option is Hard Ball Farms. They have a variety of different pork products including Basque style chorizos and you can easily order them online. Hog Heaven in Moscow makes a variety of different sausages as does Big Lost River Meats in Mackay.  Serve them on rolls made by Zeppole, Alpicella, Harvest Classic or Great Harvest Bakeries, all baked fresh daily in the Treasure Valley.

For something new and different try this Loaded Baked Potato Dip! It can be made in 10 minutes.

Loaded Baked Potato Dip (Recipe adapted from MyRecipes.com)

Yield: About 4 cups

16 ounces Idaho sour cream
16 slices (12-ounce package) bacon, cooked and crumbled Look for brands like Falls Brand or Hard Ball Farms
8 ounces sharp Idaho cheddar cheese, shredded (about 2 cups)
1/3 cup thinly sliced Idaho onions

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving to allow flavors to meld together. Garnish with extra shredded cheese, crumbled bacon, and chopped chives. Serve with homemade potato chips using Idaho potatoes. Dip can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

You can’t forget the beverages…local beer, wine, and spirits are great for the adults and regular or chocolate milk for the kids from Cloverleaf Creamery, Darigold, or Meadowgold. Don’t forget the local bottled water for your guests. Rocks Water from Boise is available in several stores including Paul’s and Albertson’s.

For dessert, serve Cloverleaf Creamery ice cream made fresh in Buhl. It is available in several flavors so everyone can have their favorites!

Are you still searching for the perfect New Year’s resolution and it is already the second week of January…well look no further! What if you resolved to do something that is not only good for you, but also Idaho’s economy?Now you’re thinking “What could be beneficial to me and good for others at the same time?” Eating of course! There is one catch, it is not just eating ANYTHING, but eating locally grown or produced items.

Eating local does not have to be overwhelming. Start small… maybe with one locally grown or produced item every week! With so many great items to pick from it is easier than you think. For a start, visit www.idahopreferred.com to see what is in season, find local producers and search for great recipe ideas. Or read Idaho Preferred’s blog to get ideas on what to include in your cart to keep you on track throughout 2012.

Here are a few good places to start….

First, there are still Idaho onions, apples, potatoes, and squashes available in many grocery stores. Potatoes and onions are always great to have on hand. Plus, how can you beat fresh LOCAL fruit in January!  Look for Fortress, Symms, and Garrett Ranches apples at your local Paul’s market.

Now for some items that you may not recognize as Idaho products when preparing your grocery list:

Idaho is the third largest dairy state in the nation, so the selection of Idaho dairy products is great. Idaho milk, cheese, and butter are widely available at local retailers. Look for Darigold, Meadowgold, and Cloverleaf dairy products. If you are looking for organic milk, Organic Valley milk is in several stores. Also, Idaho Natural Farm Fresh has ISDA certified Grade A raw milk. Want local milk but don’t want to leave the store? Not a problem, Boise Milk Co. will deliver right to your door.

Don’t forget the cheese! Ballard’s cheese is available in so many varieties, from blocks to curds, that there is something for everyone. If you are feeling like trying something different Blue Sage Farms offers a variety of sheep’s milk cheeses!

What goes better with cheese than bread! No pantry is complete without bread and lucky for you it fits in with your resolution. Idaho breads range from artesian loaves to sliced sandwich breads. There is no excuse to NOT buy locally made breads, buns, and rolls.Breads from Zeppole’s, Great Harvest Bread Co., Franz Bakery, and Alpicella Bakery are all made with Pendleton flour right out of Blackfoot, Idaho. These breads are not only made in Idaho but also use Idaho ingredients.

Now you have a good idea about where to start - don’t forget to check back next week to find out about the large variety of Idaho meats available.

The 4th of July means celebration of freedom and independence, of family and friends, and of community. And like any celebration, food is an integral part. Fourth of July food means hot dogs on the grill, homemade potato salad, fresh summer fruit and icy-cold beverages. This Independence Day, celebrate with local foods. Its so easy to do in Idaho!

Start with the dogs (beef, pork, chorizo) made by local companies like Falls Brand and Gem Pack and found at most local grocery stores. Serve them on crusty rolls made by Zeppole, Alpicella, Harvest Classic or Great Harvest Bakeries, all baked fresh daily in the Treasure Valley. Idaho’s famous tubers should star in your favorite family potato salad recipe along with Idaho onions, local eggs and fresh herbs. And although it’s too early for Idaho watermelons, enjoy our sweet dark cherries. Idaho cherries, grown in the warm Sunnyslope area of Caldwell and in the Emmett Valley are now available at the orchards, farmers markets, and local grocery stores. And if seed-spitting is on your holiday activity list, cherry pits work just as well as watermelon seeds! Before the fireworks start, enjoy homemade ice cream made with Idaho milk, cream, and sugar. Or enjoy Cloverleaf Creamery ice cream, made fresh daily in Buhl, and top it off with fresh local strawberries, blackberries, raspberries or Rocky Mountain blueberries!

Need to find these local foods for your July 4th celebration or want some new recipe ideas? Just visit our Find Local Products page and start a new “local” tradition for your picnic or BBQ.