Guilt-Free Buffalo "Wings"

Super Bowl Sunday doesn't have to equal super-sizing your waistline.  Hopefully those New Years' Resolutions to eat healthy, exercise, and all that jazz are still in full effect.  But no one wants to have to count calories and feel deprived at big events and on holidays {and for many, the Super Bowl is probably more "holiday" than just "big event"}.

So, at the buffet table, the question is this ~ do you want it, or do you really want it?  Compromise is the name of the game ~ splurge where you really want to {need a beer with the game?; can't imagine football without Doritos?; want to save room for a P.B.-bacon-and-chocolate dessert?}, and make healthy swaps for those other snacks.  Check out this list of healthy party dishes and drinks from Women's Health magazine, including the Guilt-Free Buffalo "Wings" featured below.

Guilt-Free Buffalo "Wings"

Ingredients
1      pound chicken tenders
        salt
        ground black pepper
1/3   cup prepared Buffalo wing sauce {use your fave!}
4      ribs celery, cut into sticks
4      carrots, cut into sticks
2      kirby cucumbers, cut into spears
1/3   cup fat-free ranch dressing

Directions
Season the chicken tenders to taste with salt and pepper.

Coat a ridged grill pan with olive oil spray and heat over medium-high heat, or heat an electric countertop griller.  Grill the chicken, turning once, for about 4 minutes or until browned and no longer pink in the thickest part.  Cut into bite-sized pieces.  Transfer to a bowl and toss with Buffalo sauce.

Place the chicken on a platter with the celery, carrots, cucumbers, and the ranch dressing for dipping.  Serve with wooden toothpicks.


This recipe is super easy to double or triple, depending on the size of your crowd.  {Looking for more?  Click through Fitness Magazine's healthy appetizer slideshow, featuring more upscale snacks like Cheese, Bacon & Endive Boats and Wild Mushroom Crostini}.

xoxo
Bean

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bacon Bars

I've heard a lot lately about how amazing the combination of chocolate and bacon is over the past few years ~ I even remember someone on the Food Network raving about straight-up chocolate-dipped bacon {I think it was Duff from Ace of Cakes}.  This Betty Crocker number is the perfect recipe to test out the choco-bacon waters.

Side note:  this type of dessert couldn't be more perfect for those who don't like their sweets too sweet ~ peanut butter and bacon add lots of salty goodness, and semi-sweet chocolate is the same as dark chocolate.  These treats could be just the thing to serve up at your Super Bowl party this weekend, when the chips and dips have disappeared half-time is in full effect.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bacon Bars

Ingredients
1     pouch Betty Crocker peanut butter cookie mix
1/3  cup vegetable oil
2     Tbsp maple-flavored syrup
1     egg
10   slices bacon, crisply cooked and crumbled {about 3/4 cup}
1/2  cup chopped peanuts
1     cup semi-sweet chocolate chips {6 ounces}

Directions
Heat oven to 350 degrees F.  Lightly spray 9- or 8-inch square pan with cooking spray.

In large bowl, stir together cookie mix, oil, syrup, and egg until soft dough forms.  Reserve 1/4 cup bacon for garnish.  Stir remaining bacon and peanuts into dough.  Press evenly in pan.

Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.  Remove from oven; sprinkle with chocolate chips.  Return to oven; bake 1 minute.  Immediately spread chocolate over bars.  Sprinkle reserved 1/4 cup bacon over chocolate.  Cool completely, about 1 hour or until chocolate is set.

Cut into 16 pieces {4 rows by 4 rows}.  Store tightly covered in refrigerator.



xoxo
Bean

Pizza Dip with Fritos

Many moons ago, at my older brothers graduation party {or confirmation party...I can't remember ~  many moons ago!}, a family friend brought an amazing pizza dip appetizer, served with Fritos for dipping.  It.  Was.  Amazing. ~  the type of appetizer you just can't tear yourself away from.  I requested the recipe but never actually got it {some people are so stingy with their hit recipes!}, but with the Super Bowl coming next weekend, I figured now was as good a time as any to search for something similar.  The trick is, it has to be served with Fritos SCOOPS chips ~ the salty yumminess those crackers give {versus regular tortilla chips or a sliced baguette} is what really makes this dip so gosh-darn delish.

I just spent some time scouring the web for pizza dip recipes {and there are a lot out there}, and I think I've found a winner ~ the White Pizza Dip featured on designer bags and dirty diapers blog.  She served her dip with both bread and Fritos and said the Fritos were the runaway winner.

 

Pizza Dip with Fritos

Ingredients

1       envelope Lipton Secret Recipes Savory Herb with Garlic soup mix

16     ounces sour cream

8       ounces ricotta cheese

1       cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

1/4    cup (1 oz) chopped pepperoni

         Frito's SCOOPS chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  

In a shallow 1-qt casserole, combine soup mix, sour cream, ricotta, 3/4 cup mozzarella and pepperoni.  Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup mozzarella.

Bake uncovered for 30 minutes or until heated through.  Serve with chips {or sliced baguette, if preferred}.

Enjoy!

xo

Bean

{photo credit:  designerbagsanddirtydiapers.blogspot.com}

Football Pizza

I think at this point, we have all picked up on the fact that I love a themed party or get-together.  However, I'd been unsure of football- or Superbowl-themed treats ~ mainly because Superbowl parties or playoff gatherings are guy-centric, and I'm not sure those of the male persuasion would really appreciate or even want football-shaped cookies with brown frosting and painstakingly piped-on white frosting laces.  I would appreciate it, but I think the football-party crowd is more beer-and-pretzels and less Martha Stewart, no?

I did pause for thought, however, when I came across this Pillsbury recipe for Football Pizza.  Nothing too fancy schmancy here; just some good ol' fashioned pizza {which I'm told pairs very well with both beer and football}, with just a touch of "theme" thrown in.

Even better ~ this recipe calls for pre-made pizza crust, so your job is that much more simple.  Form the football with pepperoni, the laces with string cheese, and give this yummy dish the place of honor at the center of your party snack table.

Football Pizza

Ingredients

1       can {13.8 oz} refrigerated classic pizza crust

2       teaspoons olive oil

1/2    cup pizza sauce

2       cups shredded mozzarella cheese {8 oz}

1/2    cup chopped fresh parsley

2        packages {3 oz each} sliced pepperoni

1       stick {1 oz} string cheese

Directions

Heat oven to 425°F. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray. Unroll dough on cookie sheet; starting at center, press out dough into 14x12-inch rectangle. Brush dough with olive oil; bake 7 minutes.

Spread pizza sauce evenly over crust; top with mozzarella cheese and parsley. Arrange pepperoni in football shape on center of pizza {see photo}. Cut string cheese lengthwise into 4 strips {save 2 for another use}. To make football laces, place 1 strip horizontally on center of football. Cut remaining strip into 5 pieces; arrange vertically on top of horizontal strip. 

Bake 10 to 13 minutes longer or until crust is deep golden brown and cheese is melted and bubbly. To serve, cut into 4 rows by 4 rows, making 16 pieces. 

Play ball {or something}!

xoxo

Bean

Are You Ready For Some Football?

Well, I'm not...that is, I don't really care. :)  But even though I couldn't really care less what sport is on the TV most of the time, I do enjoy that this time of year means football parties ~ and that means fun snacks!  Football viewing is synonymous with chips, dip, and beer.  {I might as well lay it all on the table now ~ I also don't drink beer.  I know, I'm sorry ~ I'm no fun!  I just don't like it!  But that means there is plenty more for YOU, and I'll be glad to play the perfect party hostess and keep the cold ones comin' for ya!}

Football viewers aren't looking for a gourmet meal to dine on while cracking beers and screaming at the TV...the simpler, the better.  But week after week, the same old snacks can get a little stale.  So if you're looking to mix it up, give these quick and easy dip recipes a whirl!  The first is a basic taco dip recipe, and it is so addicting!  I got this recipe from my father-in-law, who got it from my sister-in-law, who got it from her ex-boyfriend's mom... It's one of those much-loved, often-passed-on recipes, and it doesn't take much more effort than that old game day standby ~ ripping open a bag of Ruffles potato chips and swirling a packet of ranch powder into a container of sour cream. :)  The second recipe is a little bit fancier {for the football fan with a discerning palate} but doesn't take much more effort.  This one was given to me by my cousin E {another one of those recipes that gets passed around because it's just too yummy!}

Simple Taco Dip  

16 ounces whipped cream cheese

16 ounces sour cream

1 packet lower-sodium taco seasoning

1 package shredded Mexican cheese

Shredded lettuce, diced tomato, sliced olives, chopped jalapeno, etc.

Combine cream cheese, sour cream, and taco seasoning with a handheld mixer.  Spread mixture in a 13'x9' pan (or similar).  Top generously with shredded cheese and other dip toppings of your choice.  Serve with tortilla chips and enjoy!

{Minus the Spinach} Artichoke Dip

1 can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

2/3 cup light mayonnaise

2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

8 ounces sour cream

8 ounces light cream cheese

2-4 shakes garlic salt (I probably do more like 6)

Small package sliced almonds

Mix all ingredients together {except almonds} in a mixing bowl with a spoon.  When ingredients are well-combined, spread into an oven-safe casserole dish {I use a Corningware} and sprinkle sliced almonds on top.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, until warmed throughout.  Serve with a sliced, toasted baguette for dipping or spreading.

I hope you can get some use out of these party dip recipes this football season ~ make sure your friends come for the football and stay for the snacks! :)  And I would be remiss if I didn't give a heads up to all you beer fans that Sam Adams Octoberfest is in stores {has been for a week or two}.  If history tells us anything, it's that Octoberfest will be sold out long before it actually feels like fall ~ so stock up now!

xoxo

Bean

{photo credits: todiefordips.com; flickr.com; sportsvideodaily.com}