Game Day Munchies

Game day is my favorite day of the week. Watching the NY Giants, surrounded by good company, good food and good beer. What more can one ask for!? ---The biggest weakness of mine during this time are the game day finger foods. Doritos, Dip, potato skins, mozzarella sticks, buffalo wings (at least they come with celery ;) ). Now of course that doesn’t happen every week, because then everyone I know would be the size of a house, but certain times like major games, super bowl, world series, hockey playoffs, etc. It’s hard to not dig in and join the feast when all that food is thrown in front of you, but it is possible to avoid it by substituting it with a healthier version of those kinds of foods. Last fall I stumbled upon a few recipes that I tried in place of all those high calorie, greasy but yummy finger foods. Let me tell you they were quite delicious, so much so, my girlfriends insisted on chowing down on these delicious low cal recipes with me, leaving the guys to pig out on the “real thing”. I’m someone who’s a bit skeptical when it comes to low fat versions of the real things, but to be completely and utterly honest, these were flippin’ amazing and tasted just like the real thing! If you’re like me and love those types’ of game day munchies, you will definitely enjoy these recipes! I will, without a doubt use them again this fall!“Skinny” Buffalo Chicken Strips:  

         

• Makes 8 Strips
• 2 strips = 110 calories

Ingredients:

• 8 Strips chicken tenderloin (I bought Perdue)
• ½ cup Franks Red-hot (or any type of hot sauce)
• Garlic Powder
• Black Pepper
• Chili Pepper
• Paprika
• Oil

(I’m Italian—I don’t really use measurements, I just eyeball everything. For the spices I just used a few pinches of everything…Although, I would say no more than ½ teaspoon for each spice)

Directions:

• In a medium bowl, combine all the spices, then season the Chicken coating both sides evenly.
• Heat oil in saucepan over medium-high heat, then add half the chicken. Cook until golden brown, 3-4 minutes until center is no longer pink. Do the same to the next batch.
• When ready, pour the hot sauce over the chicken, tossing well.

For the blue cheese dressing, I used the low fat or fat free hidden valley Blue Cheese.

“Skinny” Mozzarella bites:

                                           

• Makes 24 pieces

• 45 calories per bite… (Yes, I am not lying!)

Ingredients:

• 12 sticks part skim string cheese (I used Polly-O) **Cut String cheese in half, and then must be frozen at least 30 minutes, otherwise the cheese will go all over the pan in the oven)**

• 1 egg
• ¼ cup flour
• ¼ cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs (I use 4C)
• ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 teaspoons parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• Non-stick cooking spray

Directions:

• In three separate bowls, place egg in one, flour in one, and breadcrumbs in one. Whisk egg. In the breadcrumbs dish, add panko, parmesan and parsley.
• Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray pan with nonstick cooking spray.
• Dip frozen mozz. sticks in flour, shake off excess, then in egg, and coat with the breadcrumbs.
• But them in freezer for 15 minutes or they will melt and not get crunchy.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees and bake 4-5 minutes per side

“Skinny” Broccoli Cheddar Potato Skins:

• Makes 4 halved pieces (2 whole potatoes)
• 192 calories for two halves

Ingredients:

• 2 medium potatoes
• Cooking spray
• Salt and pepper
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup cook broccoli florets, chopped

Directions:

• Heat potatoes in microwave for 5 minutes per potato. When finished, let cool and cut each one horizontally. Scoop out inside of each half, leave you a thick wall.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spray potato skins with cooking spray on both sides. Season with salt/pepper.
• Fill with cheese and broccoli, place on a broiler pan and bake for 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.

I try getting realistic recipes with easy and cheap ingredients…not those that have difficult ingredients to buy, and then cost and arm and a leg at the store. All the recipes I found and have used are diabetic friendly and are great for women like you and me with PCOS!

  All the best, Sarah