5 Game-winning variations of nachos

Editor's Note: Patrick Connolly is the Executive Chef at The Kitchen NYC. Patrick's brother, Dan Connolly, is a starting offensive lineman for the New England Patriots.

Generally speaking, the Super Bowl is about three things: food, drink and excessive partaking of each (for a Sunday). This year is a little different for me as my youngest brother Daniel is the starting center for the Patriots (he's the guy who hikes the ball to Gisele Bundchen's husband).

Normally, I'd be spending the day in the kitchen then plopping myself on the couch with a sandwich the size of a coffee table just in time for a butchered rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" by an American Idol. This year, however, I'll be spending the day with my family on the heated streets of Indianapolis and plopping myself on a cool plastic seat in Lucas Oil Stadium.

So, as I lose my voice during yet another big championship game I've road-tripped to, I hope you will enjoy two or 20 cold beers, something nice between pieces of bread and a big ol' plate of nachos. Perhaps Doritos and shredded cheddar in the microwave is your style? Or maybe you're a nacho overachiever and pull off a nine-layer dip? But if you're looking for something a little outside the box, may I suggest one of the following:

Five Nacho Variations

1. The 'Wicked Pissah' Lobster and Crab Nachos

Corn tortilla chips, crab meat, lobster meat, tarragon crème fraîche, capers, cornichons (gherkins) and a hard-boiled egg.

A shout-out to my adopted hometown and soon to be four-time Super Bowl champs. New England shellfish with tartar sauce on a bunch of corn tortilla chips (so as not to confuse anyone with a cocktail fork).

Tarragon Cr232;me Fra238;che

4 sprigs of tarragon

1/2 cup crème fraîche

Zest of 1 lemon

Juice of 1/2 lemon

Mix the tarragon with the crème fraîche, zest and lemon juice, then refrigerate until ready to use.

2. The Steakhouse Potato Skin 'Nachos'

Potato chips, potato purée, grilled NY strip, New York cheddar, sour cream and scallion.

Despite the Giants inevitable loss to the Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI, their fans deserve to eat during the game as well. These are inspired by the great Keens Steakhouse or my Brooklyn neighborhood's Peter Luger Steakhouse.

Potato Pur233;e

2 large russet potatoes

1/2 stick butter melted

1/4 cup warm whole milk

Simmer the potatoes in water for 1 hour until tender. Peel and put them through a food mill (or food processor if you don't have a mill). Add the melted butter and warm milk to the potatoes and whisk until very smooth. Salt to taste, then cover with plastic and keep warm.

3. Los Nachos '224; la Cubano'

Pork rinds, ham, dill pickles, Swiss cheese and honey-chipotle mayonnaise.

Behold the one-handed Cuban Sandwich. Not exactly the healthiest option, but whatever, it is the Super Bowl! And last time I checked, people in Miami were all attractive and they eat the heck out of this stuff.