Tuesday, January 23, 2018

How to Plan Super Bowl Snacks

slow cooker party mix

It’s fourth and goal on the two-yard line with three seconds to play in the third quarter. My team has the ball and they’re down by six. While not a do or die situation, the next play could prove pivotal in the ongoing pursuit of momentum. They’ve elected to pass up an easy three points with a chip-shot field goal and go for a touchdown. This decision is either going to be genius or disastrous. Just before the play clock winds down to zero, a time out is called. I reach my hand into the closest bowl for a quick snack. PENALTY! The bowl is empty. How could this be? I’m hungry and it’s only the third quarter! Personal party foul, on the host, 15 yards, automatic first down (in this situation, I’m not really sure what a “first down” would be, but I committed to this metaphor, so doggone it, I’m seeing it through).

The Super Bowl, while not officially recognized, is a de facto national holiday that revolves around the biggest football game of the year. There’s pomp. There’s circumstance. There’s a concert. There are commercials. There’s the Puppy Bowl. There are friendly wagers (nothing illegal, I hope). And, of course, like any other major holiday, there are parties. These parties, due to their raison d’etre are a bit different in that the game isn’t just playing in the background, it’s the show! Therefore, it’s all but guaranteed that many guests will be at your party for the long haul, often arriving during pre-game festivities and staying through all the intros, the halftime show, the end of the game, and, maybe even some of the trophy presentation and post-game hoopla. Because of the event’s length, there’s an undue amount of pressure on the host to ensure that guests are not wanting for sustenance.

As I wrote in a recent article, the secret to throwing a wildly successful party lies 70 percent in making sure your guests are satisfied and satiated (i.e. fully fed) and 30 percent in making sure your guests are entertained (i.e. have fun). Additionally, I also believe quality hosting is predicated on ensuring you never run out of food. For a marathon fete, this means making sure you adopt an endurance mindset and let your snack game lead you to victory. The following lays out a solid strategy to make sure your guests’ cravings are covered for the duration.

Cooking and Beer

Depending on how you set up the day, you might have guests arriving a couple hours before kickoff. This preserves ample visit time and pool setup (again, nothing illegal, of course) so as to allow for focused and attentive game-watching. If that’s the case, you’re going to want to have something out. You could chance it that folks won’t be ready to eat upon arrival, but it’s risky. After all, it’ll probably be several hours since lunch/brunch and folks are likely to be on the cusp of hunger. As a result, something to nosh on is the safest bet. I’d recommend a fruit and veggie platter (“For your health,” as the fictional Dr. Steve Brule would say), an assortment of sweet and savory dips (clearly not for your health), and chips, popcorn, nuts, and/or trail/chex mix. Here are three things you might want to try this year:

  1. Chili cheese dip. My sister-in-law makes this stuff and it’s phenomenal. Try this recipe here.
  2. Creamy fruit dip. A lot of dips go great with veggies. This one works with fruit. Try this recipe here.
  3. Puppy chow. Sweet trail mix? Yes, please! This article has all sorts of great Chex Mix ideas, and puppy chow is number seven.

Love Grows Wild

You’ll probably want to put out some sort of main course for dinner right before kickoff because you won’t want to distract from the game, and it would be unreasonable to wait until halftime. Different from other major holidays, no one expects a massive meal. Besides, they’ve probably been chowing down on your pre-game snacks already, so they shouldn’t be famished. You might be thinking of making a roast, a lasagna, or another large meal, but before you do, keep in mind that the Super Bowl is more a grazing holiday. It’s not Thanksgiving, or Christmas, or the Fourth of July. It’s not a holiday where you teeter on the cusp of uncomfortable, beached on the couch falling in and out of sleep. It’s a day where you engage with others, watch the game, laugh at the commercials, and analyze the halftime performance, so that’s what your guests expect. You want to leave them satisfied, but not stuffed. You also want something that does not require you to be in kitchen (preparing or cleaning up) in the midst of your party. If you’re looking for solid options, check out my recent article on team-inspired dishes here.

Now, the game is going to take a while. According to The Verge, the average Super Bowl lasts an average of 3 hours and 44 minutes (this decade). To put this in perspective, that’s roughly the time between breakfast and lunch. I bring this up to hammer home the point that folks are likely to be hungry somewhere after halftime if you take the satisfied-but-not-full route for dinner. Because you’re a solid host, you likely don’t want your guests leaving hungry. To account for this, there are three things to consider.

First, you might want to think about what my friend Andrew calls “snack-friendly meals” for dinner. SFMs are built for endurance because they can be prepared ahead of time, left out, and grazed on for hours. For meat, ham is great because it can be enjoyed warm, on its own, or cold, on a sandwich. Slow cooker dishes like chili and pulled pork work well too. Second, you’ll likely want to put out snack-type desserts at halftime. Think cookies, bars, and brownies over cakes and pies. Things people can grab and eat with their fingers, on the couch, without having to worry about knives, or forks, or plates, while watching the game are encouraged. Third, you’re going to want to replenish some of the pre-dinner snacks. Always make sure you have full bowls of chips, popcorn, nuts, and/or trail/Chex Mix. If someone reaches into a bowl that once housed trail mix for a late-third-quarter snack, they better come out with a handful. Otherwise? Penalty!

As you may have noticed, food is important for your Super Bowl party. But, unlike Thanksgiving, or Christmas, or even a Saturday night dinner party, the food need not be extravagant. What’s important is that it’s available and plentiful from start to finish. Grazing is encouraged, and longevity and endurance are highly valued on this day. There’s still going to be a lot of food, but there probably isn’t going to be a huge, heavy meal. Because of this, snacks are crucial for this party, perhaps more than any other you throw. Enjoy the game. With the right snack strategy, your guests will!



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20 Easy and Healthy Food Processor Recipes

easy peanut sauce

Dips are my favorite food. They are the reason I attend sports-watching get-togethers. I love their variety, from hot and cheesy to cool and minty, and there are few foods I have not used as a vehicle for said dips. Often just my fingers.

Each one here is easy to make with a food processor. Get on Amazon, pick out a machine, and two days later you’ll be knee-deep in these delicious dips. A few minutes, a few ingredients, and this one key piece of equipment will make you want to host the Super Bowl at your place. It’s the most adult purchase you’ll make before buying a house, so come on, stop waiting to get a wedding registry (and a fiancé)—be a grown-up and get a food processor—and then make these (mostly) healthy food processor recipes.

Any leftover dip makes a perfect sandwich condiment or quick pasta sauce for midweek meals!

1. Watercress Walnut Dip

watercress walnut dip

Chowhound

Walnuts bring a nutty depth to the bitterness of the watercress. Get our Watercress Walnut Dip recipe.

2. Kale and Walnut Pesto

kale and walnut pesto

Love and Lemons

Take a break from basil pesto and use kale as the flavorful green instead. Walnuts, garlic, and lemon juice lighten things up. Get the recipe.

3. Hummus

homemade hummus with vegetables

Chowhound

Just think about how much you spend on hummus at the grocery store, and how much you’ll save making it at home. Get our Hummus recipe.

4. Perfect Caesar Dressing

food processor Caesar salad dressing

Natasha’s Kitchen

A great salad dressing that is also perfect to use as chip or pretzel fodder. Get the recipe.

5. White Bean and Edamame Hummus

white bean edamame hummus

Chowhound

Toasted sesame oil lends a nutty flavor to this healthy Asian-inspired take on hummus. Get our White Bean and Edamame Hummus recipe.

6. Green Goddess Dip

green goddess dip with vegetables

PopSugar

Loaded with herbs, this will get anyone eating more vegetables. Get the recipe.

7. Whipped Feta with Sweet and Hot Peppers

whipped feta with sweet and hot peppers

Chowhound

Tangy, salty, and spicy—this one is perfect for turkey sandwiches. Get our Whipped Feta with Sweet and Hot Peppers recipe.

8. Roasted Beet Hummus

roasted beet hummus

Minimalist Baker

It’s packed with vitamins and vibrant pink—couldn’t ask for more. Get the recipe.

9. Spicy Carrot Hummus

spicy carrot hummus

Chowhound

Vibrant in both color and flavor, this hummus is also extra nutritious thanks to the pound of carrots packed in. Get our Spicy Carrot Hummus recipe.

10. Sweet Pea and Ricotta Crostini with Spring Onion Gremolata

pea and ricotta crostini with spring onion gremolata

No Spoon Necessary

Sweet green peas are blended with fluffy ricotta for a fantastic toast topper, but this elegant snack or appetizer is made even better with the addition of spring onion gremolata and toasted pine nuts. Get the recipe.

11. Harissa

homemade harissa pepper paste

Shutterstock

This is great with chicken wings at night and eggs the next morning, but beware: It packs some serious heat. Get our Harissa recipe.

12. Spicy Feta Dip with Roasted Red Peppers

spicy feta dip with roasted red peppers and olives

A Spicy Perspective

A creamy feta dip with roasted red peppers, garlic, and herbs, it’s perfect served with briny olives and pita wedges. Get the recipe.

13. Spinach Artichoke Dip

spinach artichoke dip

Gimme Some Oven

Always a classic, always a hit. Get the recipe.

14. Chimichurri Sauce

Argentinian chimichurri sauce

Chowhound

A food processor makes quick work of all the herbs in this Argentinian steak sauce. Get our Chimichurri Sauce recipe.

15. Tzatziki

tzatziki Greek dip

Simple Food 4 You

Lamb’s best friend. Get the recipe.

16. Fresh Homemade Salsa

food processor restaurant-style salsa

Kim’s Healthy Eats

A few quick pulses and you’ve got fresh salsa in under a minute. Get the recipe.

17. Tomatillo Salsa

fresh tomatillo salsa (salsa verde)

Chowhound

Pleasantly chunky and tangy tomatillo salsa is a great addition to tacos or burritos, but also perfect for dipping tortilla chips. Get our Tomatillo Salsa recipe.

18. Miso-Tofu Ranch Dip

miso tofu ranch dip

Epicurious

A healthy yet incredibly silky and creamy take on ranch, with a deep umami kick from the miso. Get the recipe.

19. Peanut Dipping Sauce

peanut dipping sauce

Cookie and Kate

Perfect for skewers, spring rolls, or even cold noodles, you can combine everything in a food processor instead of whisking—and even replace the store-bought peanut butter with fresh roasted peanuts and grind them in the food processor yourself, along with the other ingredients. Get the recipe.

20. Chicken Liver–Port Pâté

chicken liver port pate

Chowhound

This is a fall favorite and surprisingly simple. Get our Chicken Liver–Port Pâté recipe.

Go ahead, break out your food processor, or buy one if you’ve yet to acquire one…you’ll be glad you did. Until you realize how much you’re spending on crackers.

For more tips, tricks, and healthy recipes, check out our healthy living page.



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13 Healthy Turkey Burgers That Will Make You Forget About Beef


Header image: Guacamole Turkey Burger

We constantly find ourselves asking the question why no love for the Turkey Burger? It’s cheap, lean and far healthier than its bovine equivalent. Unfortunately, everyone has probably had at least one bad experience with a turkey burger that’s as dry and flavorless as a hockey puck. So to disprove the myth that turkey burgers have to be bland, we’re giving you 13 recipes that are anything but boring.

1. Breakfast Turkey Burgers

Chowhound

A healthier alternative to the sausage egg and cheese, our version replaces fatty (and somewhat unhealthy) pork with homemade turkey sausage. It’s so flavorful that you’ll forget you’re eating turkey. Get our Breakfast Turkey Burger recipe.

2. Turkey Patty Melt

Chowhound

Want that patty melt taste with a little less guilt? Try our recipe for a turkey patty melt. The flavors are all there and you won’t miss the extra calories that are missing when you switch from beef to turkey. Make sure to follow our advice and use dark meat turkey, if you can find it. Get our Turkey Patty Melt recipe.

3. Guacamole Turkey Burgers

Chowhound

With Southwestern flavors, topped with healthy portion of guacamole, our turkey burger is the perfect recipe for a south of the border mid-week meal. While not explicitly stated in the recipe, this is best served with a tall margarita or cerveza. Get our Guacamole Turkey Burger recipe.

4. Chipotle Bacon Turkey Burgers

Chowhound

Given the mild natural flavor of turkey breast, the protein needs some strong flavors to truly shine.  Boosted with umami thanks to soy sauce and anchovies (before you eww, just try it) and topped with chipotle ketchup, this burger is about as flavorful as they come. Get our Chipotle Bacon Turkey Burger recipe.

5. Green Chili Turkey Burgers

Based on a recipe from fitness author and genetic freak Mark Sisson, these turkey burgers are a great way to meet your protein goals for the day. You can also go with the original recipe and throw a fried egg on top for that extra nutritional boost. Get our Green Chili Turkey Burger recipe.

6. Fiendishly Tasty Bacon Turkey Burgers

Food52

Just because you’re making a turkey burger doesn’t mean it HAS to be a healthy one. This bacon turkey burger from Food52 is so rich, thanks to the generous amounts of bacon, that it might actually be more flavorful than a beef version. Get the recipe.

7. Bobby Flay’s Turkey Burgers

Food Network

Say what you want about Bobby Flay (is there actually anything bad to say about Bobby?) but the man does know how to cook. We think you’ll really enjoy his version of the turkey burger. The goat cheese and Meyer lemon honey mustard combo is a real winner. Get the recipe here.

8. Tasty Turkey Burgers

Food.com

This is your basic, go-to Turkey Burger recipe. No fancy ingredients are required but when something’s right, there’s no need to add anything extra. We have a feeling that this recipe from Food.com will become one of your “whatever’s left in the fridge” staples. Get the recipe here.

9. Buffalo Turkey Burgers with Buffalo Blue Cheese Sauce

Recipe Runner

If you’re a believer of the fact that everything is better with buffalo sauce, then this recipe from Recipe Runner is for you – it’s got buffalo flavor in spades. Perfect for game night or any night. Get the recipe here.

10. Roasted Jalapeno Cheddar Turkey Burgers with BBQ Aioli

How Sweet Eats

How do you elevate a normal turkey burger, often of the dry variety, to something you actually look forward to eating? Use turkey that’s 94-95% lean instead of the 98% lean stuff. The extra fat will add some much needed moisture and flavor. Get the recipe here.

11. Turkey Burgers with Tomato Jam, Olives and Feta

Bon Appetit

For a Mediterranean take on the turkey burger, try this recipe from the kitchen of Bon Appetit featuring feta, olives, and garlic. While the recipe calls for Tomato Jam, you could easily substitute one of your favorite Mediterranean condiments. Get the recipe here.

12. Thai Turkey Burgers with Crispy Kale

Epicurious

If the streets of Bangkok were filled with burger vendors, we imagine this is what they would be serving. From Epicurious, this burger is packed with traditional Thai flavors like lemongrass and fiery Thai chili’s. Since it’s spring, skip the boiling step and throw these burgers on the grill. Get the recipe here.

13. Perfect Turkey Burgers

Food Network

With a bold claim that this recipe is for the “Perfect Turkey Burger”, we had our doubts. Based on the stellar reviews, this turkey burger from the Food Network may actually hold that title – assuming, you haven’t made one of ours already. Get the recipe here.

For more tips, tricks, and healthy recipes, check out our healthy living page.



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9 Healthy Juicing Recipes That Taste Amazing

Whatever your New Year’s resolutions, at least one of them probably included the word “healthier.” Fortunately, juicing is a simple way to pack more nutrients into the day. These 11 healthy juice recipes can ensure it’s also tasty.

1. Tangy Greens and Apple Juice
Chowhound’s tart, healthy tonic combines four kinds of leafy greens for an immediate vitamin boost.

2. Carrot Cake Juice
All the flavor benefits of dessert, without the sugar or regret. The secret ingredient that makes this Bakers Royale recipe stand apart from other juices: crunchy granola.

3. Watermelon Juice with Fleur de Sel
Chowhounds’s two-ingredient refresher is the perfect thing on a hot summer day. The tiny addition of sea salt brings the fruit front-of-palate.

4. Root Vegetable Juice
Our bodies tend to crave what happens to be in season. In winter, it’s this Chowhound recipe packed with parsnips, carrots, and beets.

5. Orange Mint Coconut Water
The addition of club soda makes this recipe from Healthy Nibbles & Bits feel more like a rewarding cocktail than a drab nutrient boost. The plus? This one will hydrate you as it strengthens your immune system.

6. Rejuvenating Root Juice
Carrots gives this Gourmande in the Kitchen recipe a sweet personality, while a pinch of cayenne really wakes up the senses.

7. Deep Red Juice
The powerhouse ingredient in this Goodness Is Gorgeous recipe is red cabbage, which helps detoxify the body with large amounts of vitamins C and A.

8. Apple-Lemon-Ginger Juice
The perfect all-purpose sipper for when you’re feeling slightly under the weather. Apples and ginger boost the immune system while fighting off sore throats and runny noses.

9. Healthy Sangría
You probably won’t even realize you’re boosting your immune system with this virgin sangría by Natural Sweet Recipes, made with freshly squeezed orange juice.

For more tips, tricks, and healthy recipes, check out our healthy living page.

Photo credits: 1, 3, 4, and 8 by Chris Rochelle / Chowhound; 2 by Bakers Royale; 5 by Healthy Nibbles & Bits; 6 by Gourmande in the Kitchen; 7 by Goodness Is Gorgeous; 9 by Natural Sweet Recipes

Shelly Westerhausen is the founder of Vegetarian ‘Ventures, a food blog that focuses on planet-based recipes and healthy eating habits. In her free time, you can find her rocking a wolf T-shirt, sipping on hibiscus tea, and working on her magazine, Driftless.



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20 Healthy Indulgent Snacks and Meals

vegetarian black bean breakfast burritos

Chowhound

Sure, most of us could eat celery sticks and lean fish protein and consider ourselves healthy, but what kind of existence would that be? Sometimes you need a little indulgence to keep you going. These 20 recipes represent a nice balance between tasty-enough-to-keep-your-interest and just-healthy-enough-to-keep-you-from-crashing.

1. Guacamole Turkey Burgers

Chowhound

Dark-meat turkey lends juiciness and flavor, and keeps these tasty burgers lower in fat than even regular lean-beef burgers. The guacamole keeps things extra-luxurious. Get our Guacamole Turkey Burgers recipe.

2. Vegetarian Black Bean Burritos

Chowhound

A cheesy chorizo breakfast burrito can drop enough calories on you to put you in the red. This one, with beans and roasted poblanos, is rich and satisfying and won’t blow your diet. Get our Vegetarian Black Bean Burritos recipe.

3. Quinoa Breakfast Porridge with Figs

Chowhound

Lighter than oatmeal, quinoa cooks with dried figs, maple syrup, cinnamon, and nutmeg to yield a breakfast you can feel good about. Milk and a sprinkling of chopped, toasted pecans and halved figs complete this nourishing breakfast. Get our Quinoa Breakfast Porridge with Figs recipe.

4. Mustard Greens Caesar

Chowhound

Everybody loves Caesar salad, especially when it’s coated in rich, yolky dressing enriched with a ton of Parm. Thos one, with mustard greens instead of romaine, keeps overindulgence in check. Get our Mustard Greens Caesar recipe.

5. Baked Chicken Fingers

Chowhound

Baked instead of fried and coated in whole-wheat cracker crumbs, these tender chicken strips are a much healthier alternative to fast food or frozen chicken nuggets. Serve them hot out of the oven. Get our Baked Chicken Fingers recipe.

6. Spicy Turkey Chili

Chowhound

Lower in fat than beef chili, more satisfying than veggie chili, this recipe calling for ground turkey is spiked with hili powder, cayenne, cumin, and little bit of cinnamon. Get our Spicy Turkey Chili recipe.

7. Blackberry Frozen Yogurt

Chowhound

Thick Greek yogurt provides tangy goodness and a soft-serve texture without excessive butterfat. A swirl of blackberries adds plenty of sweetness, no extra-calorie toppings necessary. Get our Blackberry Frozen Yogurt recipe.

8. Carrot Chips

Chowhound

A minimum of olive oil and some carrot shavings are essentially all you need to make beautiful, crisp, and satisfying munchies that won’t leave you kicking yourself for over-indulging. Get our Carrot Chips recipe.

9. Quinoa Chowder with Spinach and Feta

Chowhound

Healthy quinoa, vegetables, and feta cheese stand in for the cream and seafood in this vegetarian soup that’s perfect for lunch or a light dinner. Get our Quinoa Chowder with Spinach and Feta recipe.

10. Grilled Fish Tacos

Chowhound

Fish tacos can be filled with either fried fish (not healthy!) or grilled fish (healthy!). Here’s the healthy version, with a citrus marinade and tangy cabbage slaw. Get our Grilled Fish Tacos recipe.

11. White Bean and Edamame Hummus

Chowhound

Regular hummus isn’t a diet breaker, but the amount of oil-rich tahini it contains can keep you from pigging out. This healthier version with cannellini beans and frozen edamame relies on a mere ¼ teaspoon of sesame oil for richness. Get our White Bean and Edamame Hummus recipe.

12. Turkey Chipotle Meatloaf

Chowhound

Ground dark-meat turkey is a juicy stand-in for beef (or veal, or pork) in this American classic with a spicy, smoky kick. Get our Turkey Chipotle Meatloaf recipe.

13. Red Lentil Pâté

Chowhound

Okay, so nobody would consider vegetarian pâté a close second to traditional meat charcuterie, but this version—made from dried red lentils, cremini mushrooms, and white wine, flavored with smoked paprika—is a genuinely luxurious spread for crackers or veggie chips. Get our Red Lentil Pâté recipe.

14. Roasted Shrimp with Romesco Sauce

Chowhound

Shrimp cocktails with Louie dressing are delicious but, from a diet perspective, deadly. This romesco sauce alternative provides all the luxurious texture and depth of flavor with much less fat. Get our Roasted Shrimp with Romesco Sauce recipe.

15. Mango-Raspberry Vegan Shake

Chowhound

Coats your upper lip and gives you a brain freeze just like a full-fat shake, but with none of the butterfat heaviness. Mango sorbet, fresh raspberries, soy milk, and toasted coconut are al you need. Get Mango-Raspberry Vegan Shake recipe.

16. Whole Wheat Margherita Pizza

Chowhound

The simple margherita (tomato, fresh mozzarella, and basil) is already an exercise in restraint. Giving it a whole-wheat crust inches up its nutritional rating. Get our Whole Wheat Margarita Pizza recipe.

17. Grilled Tofu Torta

Chowhound

The Mexican torta is a thing of heft and diverse textures. Here, marinated and grilled tofu (first marinated in hot sauce) is a healthy stand-in for meat. Get our Grilled Tofu Torta recipe.

18. Easy Chicken Meatloaf

Chowhound

Ground chicken makes meatloaf lighter and more delicate than the one Mom used t make. A bit of shredded aged Gouda cheese gives it just enough complex flavor. Get our Easy Chicken Meatloaf recipe.

19. Kale and Mushroom Stroganoff

Chowhound

Ah, the beef stroganoffs of childhood: rich, beefy, creamy, and caloric. This vegetarian version swaps out cremini mushrooms and kale for the meat, and it’s enriched with just enough sour cream to keep it close to the original. Get our Kale and Mushroom Stroganoff recipe.

20. Vegan Macaroni and Cheese

Chowhound

An indulgent-textured sauce of walnuts blended with coconut milk gives this comfort dish plenty of, well, comfort, while the addition of roasted cauliflower and broccoli florets give it a ton of nutrients and fiber. Get our Vegan Macaroni and Cheese recipe.

For more tips, tricks, and recipes, check out our healthy eating page



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