One of my favorite, favorite, favorite Holidays is upon us – Super Bowl Sunday! Ok, I like football, but more in the I-like-entertaining-and-football-brings-people-together sort of way, not in the touchdown-dance-never-miss-a-game-actually-paid-attention-to-my-fantasty-football-team kind of way. The reason Super Bowl is so lovely to me is that it marks the end of football season and means that Spring is right around the corner AND that Sundays can again be spent at the park with my husband and kids – instead of scheduled around the Cowboys or Steelers or Green Bay… Oy!
Did I tell you that my husband actually burned his Romo jersey after they lost in the playoffs several years ago. Yes, as in lighter to jersey. I was like “I bought you that jersey ding-dong.” But you know, all in the name of football. Right.
Ok, so back to the point – Super Bowl Sunday is here!! I usually prepare some light snacky type dishes for the big game, but haven’t shared the wealth on the health.
One of my fabulous boot campers, Jenai, was wondering if I had any light Super Bowl snack suggestions. And I said, of course I do. So, I got out the old blogger pen to share makeovers for a few Big Game favorites. But here’s the deal, don’t tell anyone! Keep it a secret and I guarantee those football husbands (or fiancés or boyfriends) won’t know the difference. [Insert evil laughter here].
7-Layer Dip > 7th Heaven Dip
Ok, this one is easy! Substitute all the bad stuff with lighter good stuff! Still delish, still low-cal and totally full of fiber.
First layer – Combine refried black beans (you can get fat-free canned versions, preferably “spicy”), 4 scallions sliced, ½ cup salsa, ½ tsp. cumin, ½ tsp chili powder and ¼ cup pickled jalapeno slices, chopped. Spread in bottom of a 2-quart microwave-safe dish and microwave until beans are hot.
Second Layer – Reduced Fat Cheese. Sprinkle sparingly on top of beans, then microwave again until the cheese is slightly melty. And for heaven’s sake, please don’t use fat-free cheese. Probably the worst rubbery substance ever made!
Third Layer – Light (or fat-free) Sour Cream. Spread evenly over melty cheese.
Fourth Layer – Romaine Lettuce (chopped). Sprinkle across.
Fifth Layer – Black Olives. Sprinkle.
Sixth Layer – Avocado (1 medium chopped). Sprinkle on top.
Seventh Layer – Pico De Gallo (1 cup). Spread on top.
Garnish with cilantro to make it extra fancy. Serve with baked tortilla chips, carrots and celery sticks.
Spinach artichoke dip > Creamy Spinach Dip
Skip the mayo, full fat sour cream and stomach-ache inducing fat. Instead try:
Small shallot, peeled
5-ounce can water chestnuts, rinsed
1/2 cup reduced-fat cream cheese, (Neufchâtel)
1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese
1/4 cup nonfat plain yogurt
1 TBS lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
6-oz. baby spinach
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
Pulse shallot and water chestnuts in a food processor until coarsely chopped. Add cream cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, lemon juice, salt and pepper and pulse until just combined. Add spinach and chives and pulse until incorporated.
Pizza > Whole Grain Pizza
You can make lots of lovely pizzas at home with lower fat cheese, whole grain crust, grilled chicken and oodles of veggies. But if you are not into the do-it-yourselfness of that, you can order a healthier delivery kind from Pizza Hut. They allow you to go light on the cheese, choose a whole grain crust and go veggie crazy. Do this online, too, and you are cutting the lion’s share of calories. And for heaven’s sake, PLEASE skip the pepperoni. I can’t think of anything worse for you – processed, oily, fatty, blech!
Wings > BBQ Chicken Tenders
1 cup prepared barbecue sauce
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons honey
1 1/2 pounds chicken tenders (see Note)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 large eggs
1 3/4 cups coarse dry breadcrumbs, preferably whole-wheat
Olive oil or canola oil cooking spray
Combine barbecue sauce, mustard and honey in a large bowl. Set aside 1/2 cup of the sauce in a small bowl. Cut any large chicken tenders in half lengthwise, then add all the tenders to the large bowl with the remaining sauce; stir to coat. Marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 450°F. Coat a large rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.
Combine flour, salt and pepper in a shallow dish. Lightly beat eggs in another shallow dish. Place breadcrumbs in a third shallow dish. Coat each tender in flour, shaking off any excess. Dip in egg and let any excess drip off. Then roll in the breadcrumbs, shaking off any excess. Place the tenders on the prepared baking sheet. Generously coat both sides of each tender with cooking spray.
Bake for 10 minutes. Turn each tender over and continue baking until the outside is crisp and the tenders are cooked through, about 10 minutes more. Serve with the reserved sauce for dipping.
You want a cocktail, you say?
Go skinny with my margarita recipe, find it here. Or buy Skinny Girl Margaritas (already pre-mixed with alcohol). Love this stuff. You can buy just at just about any liquor store. But please ladies, it’s Sunday night and you have work or run after kids (and weigh-in) on Monday!
You want more?
Other good options = guacamole or hummus with veggies or whole grain crackers, popcorn tossed with cayenne pepper or turkey tacos with fresh pico, guac and corn tortillas.
You can make lots of lovely pizzas at home with lower fat cheese, whole grain crust, grilled chicken and oodles of veggies. But if you are not into the do-it-yourselfness of that, you can order a healthier delivery kind from Pizza Hut. They allow you to go light on the cheese, choose a whole grain crust and go veggie crazy. Do this online, too, and you are cutting the lion’s share of calories. And for heaven’s sake, PLEASE skip the pepperoni. I can’t think of anything worse for you – processed, oily, fatty, blech!
Wings > BBQ Chicken Tenders
1 cup prepared barbecue sauce
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons honey
1 1/2 pounds chicken tenders (see Note)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 large eggs
1 3/4 cups coarse dry breadcrumbs, preferably whole-wheat
Olive oil or canola oil cooking spray
Combine barbecue sauce, mustard and honey in a large bowl. Set aside 1/2 cup of the sauce in a small bowl. Cut any large chicken tenders in half lengthwise, then add all the tenders to the large bowl with the remaining sauce; stir to coat. Marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 450°F. Coat a large rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.
Combine flour, salt and pepper in a shallow dish. Lightly beat eggs in another shallow dish. Place breadcrumbs in a third shallow dish. Coat each tender in flour, shaking off any excess. Dip in egg and let any excess drip off. Then roll in the breadcrumbs, shaking off any excess. Place the tenders on the prepared baking sheet. Generously coat both sides of each tender with cooking spray.
Bake for 10 minutes. Turn each tender over and continue baking until the outside is crisp and the tenders are cooked through, about 10 minutes more. Serve with the reserved sauce for dipping.
You want a cocktail, you say?
Go skinny with my margarita recipe, find it here. Or buy Skinny Girl Margaritas (already pre-mixed with alcohol). Love this stuff. You can buy just at just about any liquor store. But please ladies, it’s Sunday night and you have work or run after kids (and weigh-in) on Monday!
You want more?
Other good options = guacamole or hummus with veggies or whole grain crackers, popcorn tossed with cayenne pepper or turkey tacos with fresh pico, guac and corn tortillas.
I have a SWEET tooth
Me too. I have a raging sweet tooth in fact. My naked stretchers know all about that, though! Ok, for our sweet tooths (teeth) – whichever is more grammatically correct – why not try my favorite banana ice cream with chocolate chips and strawberries and graham crackers for dipping. Get the recipe here.
Or try this EPIC avocado chocolate pudding. Recipe here. Really? Divinely delicious. Just replace the maple syrup with honey.
Enjoy!
Ok. Enjoy the big game. Enjoy the party. And don’t drink so many skinny margaritas that you actually stretch naked. No one wants to see that at the Super Bowl party. That would be awkward.
Certain recipes inspired from Eatingwell.com and AnEdibleMosaic.com Picture from Google.com.
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