Healthier Touch Down Recipes for your Super Bowl Party

This weekend is the biggest sporting event of the year - Super Bowl Sunday! 

My favorite things about Super Bowl Sunday are: the food, the commercials, hanging out with our BIG family, and oh yea - the football! Even people who don't know the difference between a quarterback and a referee celebrate this American tradition, either hosting or heading to parties to watch the game, enjoy time with friends, and most importantly, to chow down on some SUPER Super Bowl fare.  

We have a big extended family and we host everything at our house, Super Bowl included.  We always make a big to-do over it, decorating the tables and having football themed snacks. Generally, when we think of Super Bowl foods we think fried wings, greasy cheese fries, and the ever famous 7 layer dips; but this year I'm going to try to stay out of the "Red Zone" and make some lower calorie game day foods with less preparation time that will have you ready for kickoff and not kicking yourself by half time!

So whether you are rooting for the Broncos, the Seahawks or Bruno Mars and the Red Hot Chili Peppers at halftime - here are some Super Bowl snacks that wont have you adding points to your score board (if you know what I mean...)

Seahawks Guacamole

Nothing says party time like a bowl of homemade guac, but don't even think about buying it from a store. Making this easy dip at home will leave you with a tastier and much healthier snack.  You can make a batch of the heart-healthy dip in less time than the half-time show. 

Ingredients

• Seahawks Guacamole 
• 3 Avocados
• 1 Small Onion (minced)
• 1 Clove Garlic (Or minced from a jar)
• 1 Tbsp. Fresh Lime Juice
• 1 Tbsp chopped cilantro
• 1/8 tea sea salt
• 1/2 Tbsp jalapeno (optional)
• 2 Tbsp chopped tomatoes (optional)

Preparation

• Cut open avocados and scoop them out. Discard skin and pits. Use a fork or mixer to blend the avocados until smooth.
• Next, add remaining ingredients. Serve immediately with natural low-fat corn tortillas chips to keep the calorie count down or even fresh veggie stick. Enjoy! **Remember Avacados are the Healthy Fat that gives you natural energy! 

Red Hot Jalapeño Poppers

I know, I know, Jalepeño Poppers are fried and NOT healthy, right?!  Not always! Try this baked version of the classic appetizer that lets you indulge but with just a few less regrets!  Super Bowls games are known to keep you on your toes but in the unfortunate event of a dull game here is a recipe that will defiantly spice things up. Jalapeño Poppers

Ingredients

• 12-18 whole fresh jalapeño
• 1 cup nonfat refried beans
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or extra-sharp Cheddar cheese
• 1 scallion, sliced
• 1 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup fine cornmeal
• Olive oil or canola oil cooking spray

Preparation

• Make a small slit on one side of each pepper. Place the peppers in a large microwave-safe dish. Cover and microwave on High until just softened, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine refried beans, cheese, scallion and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small bowl.
• When the peppers are cool enough to handle, scrape out the seeds with a small spoon (a 1/4-teaspoon measuring spoon works well). Fill each pepper with about 1 tablespoon of the bean filling, or until the pepper is full but not overstuffed (the amount will depend on the size of the pepper). Close the pepper around the filling.
• Preheat oven to 450°F. Coat a large rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.
• Place flour in a shallow dish. Lightly beat eggs in another shallow dish. Combine cornmeal and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt in a third shallow dish. Roll each stuffed pepper in flour, shaking off any excess. Dip in egg and let any excess drip off. Then roll in the cornmeal mixture. Place the peppers on the prepared baking sheet. Generously coat all sides of each pepper with cooking spray.
• Bake for 5 minutes. Turn each pepper over and continue baking until hot and the filling starts to ooze in a few spots, about 5 minutes more.

Tips

• Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate the filling (Step 2) for up to 1 day.
• Kitchen tip: Touching hot peppers can “burn” your hands. Wear rubber gloves or wash your hands thoroughly after handling them.

Broncos Honey-Glazed Turkey Meatballs

To replace the traditional buffalo wings I serve these delicious Honey-Glazed Turkey Meatballs. They have quickly become a family favorite! 

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium Tamari or Soy Sauce
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• 2 teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger root, preferably grated with a rasp-style grater
• 1 teaspoon Sambal Oelek sauce (see *ingredient note) or 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 scallions, minced plus sliced scallion greens for garnish, divided
• 1/2 cup drained, finely chopped water chestnuts
• 1 pound lean ground turkey
• 1/4 cup purchased Hoisin Sauce (see *ingredient note)
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves (coriander)
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
• Black and/or white sesame seeds, for garnish

Preparation

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Whisk Tamari or soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, sambal or crushed red pepper and sugar in a large bowl. Whisk in cornstarch until smooth. Stir in 2 minced scallions and water chestnuts. Stir in turkey until completely combined.
• Drop turkey mixture by rounded tablespoons onto the prepared baking sheet, gently re-shaping into ball shapes if necessary. Lightly coat the balls with cooking spray and transfer to the oven. Bake until the meat is cooked through, 15 to 17 minutes.
• Stir Hoisin sauce, cilantro and lime juice in a large bowl. Add the cooked meatballs and gently stir to coat. Sprinkle with the remaining sliced scallions and sesame seeds and serve hot with toothpicks.

Bruno's Roasted Garlic, Chicken and Herb White Pizza

Having pizza at a Super Bowl party is almost a necessity for some but by making a thin crust pizza with fresh ingredients at home, you can drastically cut the calories.  This Roasted Garlic, Chicken & Herb White Pizza is a great way to satisfy your family and friends pizza craving while they watch the big game. 

Ingredients

• 1 pound (whole wheat) pizza dough
• 1 Tbls butter
• 8 cloves roasted garlic, minced
• 2 Tbls all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ cup skim milk
• ¼ cup half and half
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
• 1½ cup boneless skinless chicken breast, cooked and shredded
• ¼ cup red onion, diced
• ¾ cup Mozzarella cheese
• 1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• 1 Tbls fresh parsley, chopped

Preparation

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Prepare a baking sheet with a siplat liner, or grease and sprinkle with cornmeal.
• Melt butter in a small saucepan. Saute roasted garlic for 1 minute.
• Add flour, and mix until well blended. Cook for 1 minute.
• Slowly whisk in the milk and half and half. Mix in the pepper.
• Cook for about 3 minutes, or until it starts to thicken. Remove from heat, and stir in Parmesan cheese.
• Spread dough into roughly a 12 inch circle on prepared baking sheet. Spread white cause over the dough. Top with chicken, red onions and cheese.
• Bake for 17 minutes, or until the crust is golden, and the cheese is melted.
• Remove from the oven, sprinkle with herbs. Cut and serve immediately.

Chocolate Strawberry Footballs

When you are hosting a party it can be hard to serve healthy food, especially when it comes to dessert!  These Chocolate Strawberry Footballs will satisfy anyone's sweet tooth and also totally impress your guests!! 

Ingredients

• Chocolate Strawberry Footballs
• 12 large Fresh Strawberries
• 4 ounces Chocolate Candy Melts
• 1/3 cup White Candy Melts

Preparation

• Wash the strawberries and make sure they are dry.
• Next, melt the chocolate candy coating in a double boiler or the microwave. Stir the chocolate about every 30 seconds until completely melted.
• Holding the strawberry by the stem, dip them in the melted chocolate candy melts. Make sure they are almost entirely covered. Let any extra chocolate drip off and then set the berry on a baking sheet covered in wax paper.
• Continue to coat all the berries in chocolate and then refrigerate them until the chocolate has hardened, about 10 minutes.
• While the strawberries are hardening up, you can melt the white candy melts, stirring it at regular intervals if it is in the microwave. When completely melted, pour it into a plastic sandwich bag (with the corner cut off just a tiny bit) or a squeeze bottle.
• To transform your chocolate covered strawberry into a football, make one line down the middle with the white melted candy and then draw on the laces across the main line. Keep strawberries in the refrigerator and they are best if eaten the same day they are made.