Tammy’s Tips Super Bowl Food 911
Ok so the Super Bowl Food 911 this year is a shortage of Velveeta (insert gasps and expletives here). Last year it was a chicken wing shortage and a few years ago, avocados. I know, I know, how will Super Bowl parties around the country survive? Well I guess we can get by, use some other form of highly processed, orangey chemically goop without an ounce of cheese or maybe, just maybe this is a great opportunity to try something new.
Dips: great with veggies (yes I did say veggies), crackers or chips. These are readily available in your local grocery store and just as easy to make. Baba Ganoush – a wonderful Middle Eastern dip of roasted eggplant, olive oil, tahini and seasonings. Roasted Red Pepper – Another tasty delight made with roasted peppers, almonds, olive oil and seasonings all pureed together. Hummus – an all time favorite dip – made of chickpeas, olive oil, garlic, tahini and lemon juice.
Roasted Chickpeas – speaking of chickpeas. This has got to be on e of THE easiest yet delicious and healthy snack out there. Rinse and dry with paper towels, canned chickpeas (or garbanzo beans) and then roast in the oven at 400 for 30-40 min, moving them around half way through. You can add your own seasonings like plain S & P, Cajun, hot pepper flakes, cumin etc for an addictive savory crunch or make them sweet with honey or agave glazed, sugar with or without cinnamon – or make both.
Kale Chips – these are the IT chips these days and there’s a good reason – they are SO addictively good (and yes, good for you). Wash, chop or tear up leaves, air dry, sprinkle with olive oil, sea salt and ground pepper and roast in oven.
Popcorn – not the microwave or jiffy pop kind but the air popped or if need be popped in a pot over a burner. Choose your seasonings and control the amount of salt.
Guacamole and Salsa – you really can’t go wrong with these dips and home made is healthy (and tastier in my opinion)
Toast your own tortillas. Cut tortillas into triangles, brush with olive oil, sprinkle with a little sea salt and roast until golden brown.
Edemame – a great snack and easily found in the frozen section of grocery stores.
If Cheese is still your thing why not get a selection of REAL cheeses. Be adventurous and try a variety of hard, soft, spreadable, or if you still need a cheesy dip, try a baked Brie. Places like Whole Foods or other gourmet markets can help you pick out a selection to taste. Who knows, you my never go back to Veleveeta again.
