This year, it's you who's hosting your friends for Super Bowl Sunday. You know how to make pigs-in-blankets (how can you botch crescent roll-wrapped mini-franks?) but you need something with a little more flair. Maybe you were warned in advance, or maybe your significant other just mentioned it this week. Either way, these last-minute recipes are sure-fire hits:

Texas Caviar

You'll need:
chopped onion
chopped green bell pepper
chopped green onions
chopped jalepeño, to your taste
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered
1 bottle zesty Italian dressing
1 can drained black beans
1 can drained black-eyed peas
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
chopped fresh cilantro

Directions: Mix everything but the cilantro in a large bow. Cover and chill in refrigerator for two hours, then toss with cilantro and serve with chips, crackers or pita.

Great Guacamole

You'll need:
3 peeled, pitted and mashed-up avocados
lime juice
1 teaspoon salt
diced onion
chopped fresh cilantro
roma tomato, diced
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 pinch ground cayenne pepper

Directions: Mash avocados, lime juice and salt. Sprinkle in onion, cilantro, tomatoes and garlic and stir in cayenne pepper. For best flavor, refrigerate for one hour before serving.

Seven-Layer Dip

You'll need:
1 package taco seasoning
1 can refried beans
1 8-ounce package of cream cheese
1 16-ounce container of sour cream
1 jar of salsa
chopped tomato
chopped green bell pepper
chopped green onions
shredded iceberg lettuce
1 can drained sliced black olives
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Directions: Mix taco seasoning and refried beans. Spread as base onto large serving platter. Mix sour cream and cream cheese and spread over beans. Spread salsa over first two layers. Next layer tomato, green bell pepper, green onions and lettuce. Top with cheddar cheese and garnish with the black olives.

Summer Brew (for your inevitable non-beer drinkers)

You'll need:
2 cans frozen limeade concentrate
6 bottles of Mexican beer
1 cup vodka
12 lime wedges for garnish

Directions: Mix limeade, beer and vodka. Stir and serve over ice with lime wedge garnish. (Serves 12).

Other alternatives: Order now

If you've got zero time to spare, don't freak. A host of Houston establishments are willing to help you out, given 24-hour notice. Ninfa's on Navigation offers your choice of an appetizer party pack, which includes taquitos, chicken wings, chile con queso, bacon-wrapped scrimp and Alex Padilla's BBQ ribs ($12.95 per person) or a fajita party pack that includes beef and chicken fajitas and all the fixin's for $14.95 per person. Call PK Hennigan at 832-729-6818 to order.

Benjy's will also take care of your cooking needs with Bryan Farm chicken and waffles, mini-cuban sandwiches, butternut squash arancini, house-cured salmon and grapefruit and mini-arepas with slow-cooked short rib ($120, serves eight to 10).

Finally, RA Sushi puts a twist on traditional Super Bowl snacks with three packages ranging from $50 to $80 of their most popular appetizers, speciaity items and entrees. (Each platter serves eight to 10 people).