Enjoy Big Game without Big Gain

The big game is two days away and the GWG have planned a healthy menu to compliment what’s sure to be a great game. So, no matter which team you’re pulling full, try out one, or all, of these recipes and let us know what you thought. Check back next week and see our thoughts on these dishes.

Another healthy tip, do these exercises while watching the commercials to burn calories.

Sweet ‘n’ Spicy Snack Mix

4 cups miniature pretzels
2-1/3 cups reduced-fat cheese-flavored baked snack crackers
2 cups Wheat Chex
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon barbecue seasoning
3 cups Corn Pops

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine the pretzels, crackers and cereal. In a small bowl, combine the butter, soy sauce, chili powder and barbecue seasoning; pour over cereal mixture and toss to coat.

Transfer to a 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 250° for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Stir in Corn Pops. Store in airtight containers. Yield: 10 cups.

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Blooming Onion

2 large sweet onions
1 tablespoon butter, melted
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons dry bread crumbs
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper

Sauce:
¼ cup fat-free sour cream
¼ cup fat-free mayonnaise
1-1/2 teaspoons dried minced onion
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon dill weed

Directions:

With a sharp knife, slice ½ inch off the top of the onions; peel onions. Cut each into 16 wedges to within ½ inch of root end.

Place each onion on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 12 inch square). Fold foil around onions and seal tightly. Place in an ungreased 11-inch x 7-inch baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 425 degrees for 20 minutes.

In a small bowl, combine butter and mustard. Open foil; fold foil around onions. Brush butter mixture over onions; sprinkle with bread crumbs, salt and pepper.

Bake 18-22 minutes longer or until crisp-tender. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine sauce ingredients. Serve with onions. Yield: 8 servings.

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Homemade Fries

For simple fries: Cut 2 large potatoes into strips and toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Bake at 425 degrees for about 30 minutes.

For a spicy mayo dip, combine 1/4 cup mayonnaise with 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, and 1/4 teaspoon curry powder.

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Healthy Cheese Dip

4 oz. 8th Continent Light Vanilla Soy milk
3 oz. fat free block cheddar cheese
2 oz. Velveeta Light
2 Tbsp. fat free cream cheese
Melt in saucepan with milk.

Or

1/2 cup light soymilk
3 ounces fat-free block cheddar cheese
1 wedge The Laughing Cow Light Original Swiss cheese
2 tablespoons fat-free cream cheese
Melt in saucepan with milk.

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Potluck sloppy joes

3 pounds lean ground turkey
3 celery ribs, chopped
2 medium onions, chopped
1 large green pepper, chopped
1-3/4 cups ketchup
1 can (8 ounces) no-salt-added tomato sauce
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
12 whole wheat hamburger buns, split and toasted

Directions:

In a large nonstick skillet, cook the turkey, celery, onions and pepper over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain.

Stir in the ketchup, tomato sauce, flour, sugar, vinegar and mustard. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. Spoon 2/3 cup turkey mixture onto each bun. Yield: 12 servings.

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Baked Bananas

1 medium ripe banana, cut in half lengthwise
2 tsp honey or agave
cinnamon

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Peel and cut bananas in half. Arrange banana in an oven safe dish or on tinfoil. Sprinkle with cinnamon and honey. Cover and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on how soft you like them.