Celebrate the Eagles: Eat these 'greens'
Patricia TaloricoCORRECTION: Earlier versions of this story had an incorrect name for the chef at Prime 225.
It ain't easy being green. Or an underdog.
But Philadelphia Eagles fans are celebrating both this Sunday.
Inspired by the Birds appearance at the Super Bowl (game time is 6:30 p.m.), we're featuring some foods that focus on our team's favorite color.
This isn't a list of foods to enjoy only on Sunday, but pretty much anytime you want.
Eat these 'greens.'
Underdog cupcakes
Serpe & Sons Bakery is Eagles central when it comes to Philadelphia football-themed confections.
During a recent visit to the Elsmere bakery, we spied cookies, cakes, petit fours and cannoli all decorated with Eagles logos and sporting icing and sprinkles in the Eagles' signature green.
But our favorite treats by far are the vanilla cupcakes decorated with German Shepherd faces.
Devoted fans know Eagles players Chris Long and Lane Johnson first wore German Shepherd masks after the team upset the Atlanta Falcons on Jan. 13. The players were openly mocking their "underdog" status and Long gave an interview wearing the mask.
The dog was out of its kennel, so to speak, and a craze was born.
The latex German Shepherd dog masks have since gone viral and have quickly sold out on Amazon.
And the $1.65 dog cupcakes at Serpe's seem to be just as popular.
A staffer told us the goofy cupcakes have been selling out almost as soon as they hit the bakery case.
If you want some for a Super Bowl party, call ahead, (302) 994-1868, and order them in advance.
A bakery employee said Serpe's does plan to have offer dog cupcakes in the case for sale on Sunday. Keep in mind, dawgs, it's first come, first served.
Serpe & Sons Bakery, 1411 Kirkwood Highway, Elsmere, (302) 994-1868; serpesbakery.com
Key lime pie
OK, so the only thing that is green on the key lime pie from Feby's Fishery is the slice of lime on top. But, we're still including this dessert as one of our green foods.
Why?
It is crazy good pie.
Feby's version might not be what some consider classic key lime – for instance, the crust isn't graham cracker. The yellow filling also is creamy and mousse-like with a tart-sweet flavor.
While some key lime pies are served with a thick layer of meringue – like those famous sky-high pies made at Blue Heaven restaurant in Key West, Florida – this one has licks of whipped cream decorating the top.
More, please.
Feby's Fishery, 3701 Lancaster Pike, Wilmington, (302) 998-9501; febysfishery.com.
Avocado-blood orange salad
If you're eating green, a salad is an obvious choice. And we've included the avocado-blood orange salad found at Prime 225 restaurant in Chesapeake City,Maryland, because it's so hard to stop eating it.
On a recent visit to this 2-year-old eatery, a dining companion, who has visited Prime 225 several times in the past, didn't even have to look at the menu. He knew he wanted this salad. Again.
And his description of it made me follow his lead.
Chef Brandon Gentry tosses baby arugula leaves with small bites of blood oranges, sweet onion, grape tomatoes and toasted pine nuts in a tart-sweet white balsamic-tarragon vinaigrette. He then fans buttery slices of ripe avocado on top for some crunchy and followed by little creaminess.
It's refreshingly light and a perfect beginning to a meal, especially if you get a steak or the Maryland rockfish.
Stuffed jalapenos
Another winner at Prime 225? The stuffed jalapenos appetizer.
It's a classic football tailgate snack, but it gets a little fancier treatment here. The peppers have a rich, cream cheese like filling that's balanced with a bit of smoky, saltiness by being wrapped in bacon. Wrapped. In. Bacon. What's not to like?
Just like the Eagles, you shouldn't underestimate the power of the stuffed jalapeños at Prime 225.
Jalapeño peppers range in flavor from mild to medium heat and eating one can sometimes be a gamble. You won't know until you bite into a jalapeño what kind of spicy kick you'll receive. Go ahead, take the risk.
Prime 225, 225 Bohemia Ave., Chesapeake City, Maryland, (410) 885-7009; www.prime225.com/
Green eggs and ham and pancakes
The FamousToastery in Exton, Pennsylvania, about 25 miles from Wilmington, is offering green menu items inspired by the Philadelphia Eagles.
The restaurant also is offering free mimosas on Thursday and Friday (one per customer), and the offer will run throughout 2018 if the Eagles defeat the New England Patriots.
In deciding to "go green," the eatery is making green eggs, or eggs scrambled with a basil spinach pesto, thatare served with ham, toast, and fruit or potatoes, as well as green pancakes served with a choice of breakfast meat.
Looking for something lighter? The Toastery has emerald-hued "Green Machine" smoothies made with carrots and orange juice blended with spinach, kale and some protein powder.
The Famous Toastery, 120 Woodcutter Street in Exton, Pennsylania, (484) 387-5559serves breakfast and lunch daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit famoustoastery.com
Holy guacamole
Is it really the Super Bowl if you don't eat some chips and guacamole?
El Maya Mexican Grill in the Prices Shops shopping center near Prices Corner makes excellent guacamole ($7.99) that's served in a molcajete.
The freshly made chunky dip is studded with red onions and chunks of tomatoes. Servers will keep serving warm chips until the dip is gone.
Del Pez Mexican Gastropub on the Wilmington Riverfront is another place to try if you have guacamole lust. Bring friends and be prepared to share. The dip also served in a molcajete, is made-to-order, very good and comes with warm chips and salsa roja. My favorite is traditional version ($10.95) with tomato, red onion, cilantro, jalapeno, and lime.
El Maya Mexican Grill,1300 Centerville Road, Prices Shops shopping center, near Prices Corner, (302) 384-7777; elmayamexicangrillde.com
Del Pez Mexican Gastropub, 400 Justison St., Wilmington Riverfront; (302) 691-7974; delpezmexicanpub.com/
Saving some green
Hosting a Super Bowl isn't cheap. And then there's the whole cleaning up factor, which isn't fun, especially if your favorite team loses.
Save yourself some time and money, and let someone else do the cooking.
The Greene Turtle Sports Bar and Grille restaurants in Virginia, Pennsylvania and Delaware will be offering a $19.99 per person food buffet beginning at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, until the game ends in Minneapolis. There are also specials on beer and other adult beverages.
Dishes on the buffet include Crab Dip, Buffalo Chicken Dip, Bacon Dip, Fresh Salsa, Bone-in and Boneless Wings, Hog Hammers, Cajun Pasta, Salad, and Funnel Cake Fries.
For a list of participating locations, visit thegreeneturtle.com/restaurant-locations.
The News Journal/delawareonline.com reserves the right to edit letters for clarity, length and accuracy. Contact Patricia Talorico at (302) 324-2861 or ptalorico@delawareonline.com and on Twitter @pattytalorico