Monday, January 13, 2014

Super Snacks for Game Day!




Woohoo the countdown for Superbowl Sunday has finally arrived!  Game day can often be laden with fried, greasy and processed carbohydrate foods that weigh you down and quickly put out the fire of your enthusiasm.  Instead, stay energized cheering on your favorite team and get your game on with these healthy super snacks.


Rooting for Vegetable Fries
Ra-ra-ra, throw your hands in the air and cheer for hours with roasted root veggie fries.  High in healthy complex carbohydrates, root veggies are loaded with energy and roasting them plays up their inherent sweet flavors. Simply pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees F and cut root veggies such as sweet potatoes, yams, rutabaga and beets into steak fries.  Then toss with melted virgin coconut oil, sea salt and black pepper and pop them in the oven for about 40-45 minutes until golden on the outside and fork tender on the inside.  Serve alone or dip them in my Dill Yogurt Dressing.  I bet these will be a winner!   

Dress Up with Dill Yogurt Dressing
Every game day party of course needs a dip on the menu.  Using yogurt as the base has the added bonus of gut friendly probiotics and protein.  Change up the herbs or add smoked chipotle chili powder for a spicier variety.  Use for veggie fries, chips, fresh cut veggies and more for a dip that is satisfying and oh so finger-licking good.  See recipe below.

Squash Your Opponents with Avocado Salmon Roll Ups
Aah healthy fat and protein are just what you need to satisfy your game day munchies.  Slice avocado into long pieces and wrap with a piece of smoked salmon and pierce with a toothpick.  Put on a tray and serve as you yell step aside opposing team, step aside.

Game Face Frittata Bites
That’s right, show me your game face.  These little frittata bites are packed with protein and nutrients to sustain your enthusiasm for hours!  Make my Caramelized Veggie Frittata or one of the recipe’s suggested flavor alternatives and simply pop the mixture into either mini muffin tins or standard-sized muffin tins.  Then broil for 3-6 minutes (smaller tins will cook up quicker and larger tins take longer) until eggs have set.  Pop these babies into your mouth and let me hear you roar!



Mix-It Up with Other Fun Goodies
Organic grass-fed beef jerky or salami, hard cheeses, roasted nuts, sprouted whole grain chips, sweet potato chips, hummus, pesto, the skies the limit.  No cooking involved for these goodies.

Fuel up with these power snacks and get ready to spread your team spirit.  Throw your hands up one last time, be a champion and celebrate with these super snacks!
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Dill Yogurt Dressing
Greek yogurt is a fabulous source of protein and beneficial bacteria known as probiotics.  It will add creaminess to dressings that satisfies your taste buds.  Use it to top salads, raw or cooked vegetables, chicken, lentils or whole grain dishes.   

Preparation Time: 3 minutes
Makes: About ¾ cup

½ cup full-fat Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons unrefined sesame oil
2-3 teaspoons white wine vinegar
2-3 tablespoon fresh chopped dill
2 teaspoons fresh chopped chives
1 small clove garlic, minced
¼ teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste

Combine yogurt, oil, vinegar, dill, chives, garlic and salt in glass measuring cup until smooth and uniform.  Taste to adjust seasoning.  Dressing will keep for a week refrigerated. 

Variation: Add ¼ - ½ teaspoon ground cumin for a smoky flavor.  Or ditch the dill and add chipotle chili powder of a splash of hot sauce.

Copyright 2013, S. Sammartino, Original recipe


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