Blue 64…..Blue 64…..Blue 64….hut hut hut.
The biggest game of the year is set to take place on Sunday, February 5th @ 6pm; Brady vs Ryan. Millions upon millions of people watch the Super Bowl every year. While everyone is concerned with the score, most are more concerned with their food and how many wings, pizza, and nachos can be consumed and chased down with their favorite beverage of choice.
Just like any large gathering, good food is what brings people together – and there is definitely no shortage of food at Super Bowl parties. The Super Bowl is not an event generally associated with healthy eating. But I was thinking, why can’t we have our cake and eat it too?
By taking a few extra minutes to think about the quality, healthy ingredients that go into your game day meal, it can really make a large difference. For me, its about only the freshest, non-processed foods in my meals & snacks. Next time you’re making a meal, try using olive oil as opposed to butter or Greek yogurt instead of sour cream. These alternatives may seem small, but they really add up.
In the NatureFresh™ Kitchen, I have the luxury of being able to develop and test out any recipe idea. The NatureFresh™ Kitchen is not your typical commercial kitchen, it is a kitchen that is stocked full of everything healthy to help our staff be their best. I have the great job of being able to develop new recipes that make it easier for people to eat healthy (yes, I get to play with food all day). Mixing and pairing various delicious flavors together, simplifying recipes & finding ways to make unhealthy meals healthier. Trust me, there can be science to putting things together but let’s be honest here, healthy does not have to he hard!
Everyone loves all the tasty Super Bowl recipes, but what if you could have versions that are better for you? The pizza, the wings, the nachos, the dips….all those great American classics. These Super Bowl mainstays generally leave you feeling…well not ideal. Simply put, they lack #FRESH. That is where I decided that I would find ways to make healthier renditions of these classics. Game Day Snacks without the guilt – what could be better?!
Veggie Lovers Pizza
First up was the pizza, because who doesn’t love a good pizza? Using naan bread as the crust is a great way to eliminate some of the extra carbs and sodium, while greatly reducing prep time. I also elected to make a Greek style pizza, by overloading it with healthy vegetables and using feta cheese instead of the typical mozzarella. This pizza is great for those vegetarians in your life, however, if you are a meat lover, grilled chicken makes a great addition to this pizza.
Saucy OhioRed™ Wings
Chicken Wings are a main staple of any good Super Bowl party, they are not to be forgotten! While most wings are fried, oven roasted is definitely the healthier way to go. I marinate my wings with a fresh marinade of all fresh ingredients. This recipe is perfect to make in advance, set aside and reduce the amount of prep you have to do the day of!
Bell Pepper Lentil Dip
What’s a Super Bowl party without chips & dip? This recipe is perfect for anyone who loves flavor and particularly those who are Vegan. The crunch of the cucumber is the perfect pairing with this lentil dip. This game day snack can be described as a buffet of flavor and the lentils add the protein punch your body needs. This is a dip that most people haven’t seen before and is sure to impress. As my taste testers (our Sales & Marketing teams) say, “this is awesome!!!”.
Super Bell Nachos
Last but certainly not least, the nachos. This recipe is a fiesta of fresh flavors and will truly leave you wanting more. Healthier than the classic overloaded cheese & chip combo, these nachos are made with crunchy sweet Bell Peppers and stuffed with nacho goodness.
So whether you’re rooting for the Patriots or the Falcons, these fresh inspired recipes are geared towards those who are looking for a healthier perspective. No matter the gathering, always try to think of ways you can incorporate more fresh into your meal; there’s always a delicious alternative!
On Instagram? Post your photos and tag me, @ChefZachLightfoot to share your fresh game day ideas!
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– Chef Zach
