For some, the Super Bowl is about the game. For others, it’s about the food. Here are some suggestions for quick, cheap, EASY party fare:
- Chili – What’s quicker than dumping a bunch of ingredients in a crock pot and hours later, taking the lid off to find a full, nutritious meal? Buy some ground beef (or turkey), dried chili mix, cans of diced tomatoes, beans, onion, and bell pepper. Throw them in a crock pot, mix up the meat a little, and let everything cook for 6 hours. By the time the big game is on, the chili will be ready. Serve it on its own or vary by serving over brown rice, topping with shredded cheese and fat-free sour cream or use it as a dip for tortilla chips. You can even spoon it over hot dogs or hamburgers. Sneaky Mom Tip: Puree some carrots and add it to the pot. The kids will get extra vitamins and never know it!
- Mac and Cheese – Nothing consoles the losing team like the ultimate in comfort food. Quick, easy recipes can be found on www.foodnetwork.com. PS: Freeze leftovers to be served during the week when you don’t feel like making a full meal.
- Pizza – Buy a pre-made crust, add bottled sauce, and shredded cheese and you’ve got a masterpiece at a fraction of the delivery pizza cost! Feeling ambitious? Buy a Pillsbury crust and shape it to look like a football. Follow package directions then add sauce, sprinkle parmesan all over it, and place string cheese to look like the stitches in a ball. Heat until the cheese melts.
- Baked Chicken Fingers – Grab some pre-cut chicken fingers, douse in a little egg mixed with water, and coat with breadcrumbs. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes. Serve with a variety of sauces or salad dressings. Leftovers can be added to salad or heated up for the kids for a healthy school lunch.
- Buffalo Wings – If your people absolutely, positively MUST have buffalo wings, try this healthy version listed on the Web site here. It has more protein, less salt, less fat and no trans fats!
- Nachos – I was told by my husband and son that I had to include this. Start with a baked chip as a base or make your own by cutting whole wheat tortillas into wedges and baking until crisp. Next choose 93% lean ground beef, turkey or chicken. Brown and season with garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, cumin, and chili pepper. Make a simple cheese sauce with low-fat cheese (Weight Watchers has a nice, creamy package of cheese wedges which are awesome!). Combine flour and butter; cook until you can’t taste the flour anymore. Add 1% milk and cook until thick, over a low heat, stirring constantly so the mixture doesn’t burn. Slowly add the cheese; stir until melted. It’ll have fewer calories, preservatives, and sodium then the pre-made stuff. Top your nachos with fat-free refried beans, fat-free sour cream, and guacamole. Yummo!
- Beside the usual chips and dip, microwave some low-fat popcorn. Top with parmesan cheese, garlic powder, or any of the salt-free seasonings on the market (like Mrs. Dash). You can also microwave some dark chocolate chips to pour over your popcorn. Or, after coating with butter spray, sprinkle on some cinnamon and powdered sugar. You’ll get a high-fiber, low-sodium snack everyone will love.
- Speaking of powdered sugar, or dessert, bake some cookies (using pre-made cookie dough) and top with powdered sugar in team colors. Fast, easy, but with a personal touch.
Lastly, when considering beverages, remember there’s a better choice than chemical-laden soda. Offer your guests seltzer spritzers by mixing flavored seltzers with juice. You’ll cut calories and sugar.
Then sit back and (or commercials and half-time show)!
