Super Bowl Sunday

The Super Bowl XLIX is this Sunday. Are you guys all excited to see who’s going to win? The New England Patriots or the Seattle Seahawks? Well everyone knows with the big game it gives everyone a reason to throw Super Bowl parties with all sorts of tempting food. Instead of having to worry about the weight gained the following day you can now have healthy alternatives to satisfy everyone’s cravings. Here are 5 healthy recipes to everyone’s favorite classic picks for the Super Bowl.

 Sweet Potato Skins

Ingredients

•       6 medium sweet potatoes (about 2 1/2 pounds)
•        3 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
•        1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella
•        2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan
•        2 scallions, thinly sliced
•        1/2 cup salsa verde
•        1/2 avocado, pitted and cut into small pieces
•        1 cup black bean chips, crushed

Directions

Position an oven rack in the top of the oven, and preheat to 350 degrees F. Put the sweet potatoes on a rimmed baking sheet, and bake until fork-tender, 40 to 50 minutes. Let cool completely Split each in half lengthwise, and scoop out most of the flesh, leaving about a 1/4-inch border all around. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Put a rack on a rimmed baking sheet. Arrange the potato skins skin-side up on the rack, and brush with 2 tablespoons of the oil. Bake until the skins are slightly browned, 20 to 30 minutes. Let cool completely, then cut each in half crosswise. Arrange the pieces skin-side down on the rack, and sprinkle each with mozzarella, Parmesan and scallions. Bake until the mozzarella melts, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the potato skins from the oven, and drizzle with the remaining tablespoon of oil. Top each with some salsa verde and avocado. Sprinkle with crushed chips.

Lemon-drop Chicken Wings

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup vodka
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice 
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil 
• 1 teaspoon salt 
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 
• 2 1/2 pounds chicken wings, tips trimmed off 

Preparation

1.  In a large bowl or resealable plastic bag, combine vodka, lemon juice, sugar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Stir to dissolve sugar and salt. Add the chicken wings and mix to coat. Cover bowl or seal bag and refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours.
2. Preheat oven to 400°. Line a 9- by 13-in. baking pan with two layers of foil. Arrange the chicken wings in a single layer in the pan, and pour the marinade evenly over all. Bake until meat is well browned and pulling away from the bone, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Serve hot or warm.

Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving.

Warm Spinach-Artichoke Dip

 Ingredients 

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 (16-ounce) can lima (or butter) beans, drained
• 1 cup light mayonnaise
• 4 ounces tub-style fat-free cream cheese
• 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco)
• 1 teaspoon capers, drained
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained
• 1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained, and squeezed dry
• 3/4 cup preshredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup sliced green onions
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 

Preparation

• Preheat oven to 350°.
• Combine first 8 ingredients (through mustard) in a food processor, and process until smooth (about 15-20 seconds).
• Add remaining ingredients; pulse 5 times, then process until mixture is consistent throughout (about 10 seconds). With a rubber spatula, transfer mixture evenly to a 1-quart casserole dish, smoothing top.
• Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until lightly browned and bubbly at the edges. Remove from oven; cool 10 minutes.

Mini Turkey Burgers with Gorgonzola

 Ingredients

• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 
• 1 1/4 pounds ground turkey breast 
• 1/2 cup (2 ounces) crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
• Cooking spray
• 1/4 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise 
• 2 tablespoons minced sweet gherkin pickle (about 2 small)
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 
• 12 (1-ounce) dinner rolls 
• 6 curly leaf lettuce leaves, torn in half

Preparation

• Combine first 4 ingredients in a large bowl. Add cheese, stirring with a fork just until combined. Divide turkey mixture into 12 equal portions, shaping each into a 1/4-inch-thick patty.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add 4 patties; cook 2 minutes. Carefully turn patties over; cook 2 minutes or until done. Place patties on a large baking sheet in a single layer. Repeat procedure with remaining patties. Cool patties to room temperature. Cover with plastic wrap; freeze until firm. Place in a single layer in zip-top plastic bags; freeze up to 3 months.
• Thaw patties overnight in refrigerator.
• Preheat oven to 400º.
• Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray. Place patties on baking sheet in a single layer; cover with foil. Bake 10 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Keep warm.
• Combine mayonnaise, pickle, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl. Cut rolls in half horizontally. Spread about 1 teaspoon mayonnaise mixture on bottom half of each roll; top each with 1 turkey patty and 1 piece lettuce. Cover with tops of rolls. Serve immediately.

Fudgy Chocolate Brownies

Ingredients  

•       5 tablespoons stick margarine
•       1 ounce unsweetened chocolate
•       2/3 cup Dutch process or unsweetened cocoa 
•       1 1/2 cups sugar
•       3 large egg whites, lightly beaten 
•       1 large egg, lightly beaten 
•       1 cup all-purpose flour
•       1/2 teaspoon baking powder
•       Cooking spray

      Preparation

• Preheat oven to 325°.
• Melt margarine and chocolate in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in cocoa; cook 1 minute. Stir in sugar, and cook 1 minute (mixture will almost form a ball and be difficult to stir). Remove pan from heat; cool slightly. Gradually add warm chocolate mixture to egg whites and egg, stirring with a whisk until well-blended. Combine flour and baking powder; add flour mixture to chocolate mixture, stirring well.
• Spoon batter into a 9-inch square baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 325° for 30 minutes (do not overbake). Cool on a wire rack.

Have fun watching the game and hope everyone enjoys these new healthy recipes!