When I think of Super Bowl snack food my mind goes to chips & salsa, hot wings, pizza, fried everything, & beer. I can't deny that I actually ate all of those things on a regular basis, not just while watching the Super Bowl. Now I have a focus on putting good food into my body, but that doesn’t mean I have to miss out on social events.I am actually attending rather than hosting a Super Bowl party this year. I will take dishes that fit my healthier lifestyle & I know they will be a hit. So first up is a few sauce options. A sauce can be such a game changer. A good sauce can be used to dip fresh veggies in or chips ( I eat plantain chips).  Also, what good is delicious food without something to dunk it in?

Tomatillo Salsa

You will need:

• 4 tomatillos (husks removed)

• 4 garlic cloves

• 3 peppers ( I used 2 serrano & 1 jalapeno- seeds removed is optional - I leave the seeds in & sometimes add more peppers)

• ½ a white onion

• ½ cup of packed cilantro

• 2-3 limes to taste

• 2 tablespoons of olive oil

Steps:

1. In a medium saucepan ass olive oil, tomatillos, garlic, peppers, and onion. You want a nice char (just blackened)

2. To a food processor or blender add all ingredients from the saucepan, cilantro, juice of 2 limes, & a pinch of salt.

3. Blend & taste- you may need to add more lime juice, salt, or peppers depending on your taste preferences.

4. Store in a mason jar or Tupperware & keep in the refrigerator.

5. The perfect dip for corn tortilla or plantain chips

Classic Guacamole

You will need:

• 4 avocados

• ½ a red onion

• ¼ cup loosely packed cup of cilantro (stems removed)

• 2 limes

• 1 jalapeno (seeds removed will take away some heat)

• Salt

• Optional - 1 tomato

Steps:

1. Dice red onion into thin slices then into smaller pieces & cut up cilantro & jalapeno - set aside

2. Cut avocados in half, remove the pit, then squeeze the fruit into a medium bowl

3. Squeeze in lime juice

4. With a fork mash up the avocado & add the onion, cilantro, & jalapeno

5. Mix & add a pinch of salt

6. You may need to add more lime juice or salt depending on your taste preferences.

Serrano & Cilantro Sauce

You will need:

• 4-5 peppers (3 serrano & 2 jalapenos)

• 2 cups of loosely packed cilantro

• 4 cloves of garlic

• 2 limes

• ¾ cup sour cream

• ¼ cup olive oil

• 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar

• Salt

Steps:

1. Cut peppers in half then add to food processor

2. Wash and pull leaves from cilantro then add to food processor

3. Add garlic cloves, lime juice, sour cream, & a pinch of salt to food processor

4. Blend, & slowly add the olive oil & apple cider vinegar

5. Taste - add salt or more peppers according to your tastes

Vegan Ranch Dip

You will need:

• ½ cup of unsalted sunflower seeds

• 1 cup of canned coconut milk ( be sure to shake well)

• 1 ½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar

• 1 teaspoon of onion powder

• 1-2 garlic cloves (depending on the flavor you desire)

• ½ tablespoon fresh dill

• ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt

• ¼ teaspoon ground dry mustard

• ⅛ teaspoon celery seed

Steps:

1. Add all ingredients into a food processor or blender & mix on the highest level.

2. The sauce is ready to eat now, but if you let it sit overnight in the refrigerator it will taste that much better!

Here are a few baked not fried options that can be enjoyed as an appetizer for any game day or really whenever. Of course, all the recipes are not going to taste exactly like a fried version, but they are delicious.

Baked Dill Pickles

You will need:

• 1 jar of patted dry dill slices- I prefer homemade (recipe below) but store bought work too

• 1 cup of panko breadcrumbs

• 1 egg + 1 teaspoon water

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon pepper

• 1/2 teaspoon paprikaSteps:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees- get baking sheet with parchment paper

2. To a medium saucepan over medium-low heat add panko breadcrumbs. Stir continuously until they are a light golden brown color. Remove from heat & place on plate

3. Crack egg into a bowl, add water, & stir

4. Dredge each pickle slice in egg & then panko crumbs. Place slice on parchment paper

5. Bake for 7 minutes- flip & bake for another 7 minutes (or until browned)

6. Let cool before enjoying

Fast Homemade Dill Pickles:

You will need ( for two 16 oz mason jars- feel free to double or triple the recipe)

• 1 cup of white vinegar

• 6 medium garlic cloves

• 1/2 onion

• 4 tsp salt

• 2 tsp sugar

• 1 cucumber

• 3 tsp whole peppercorns

• 1 tsp celery seed

• 2 serrano peppers

• ½ cup of loosely packed dill

Steps:  

1. To a small pot add white vinegar, garlic, & salt. Bring the mixture just to a low boil.

2. While you wait for the mixture cut the cucumber into traditional pickle spears & onions into small pieces.

3. To your 2 sterilized (boiled in hot water) 16 oz mason jars (or any size mason jar you have) add 1.5 tsp peppercorns, ½ tsp celery seed, 1 sliced serrano pepper, ¼ cup loosely packed dill to each jar

4. Add slices to each jar- you will have to squeeze them in there.

5. Pour ½ the vinegar mixture into each jar. Then, add cool filtered water to submerge the cucumber slices.

6. Leave the jars uncovered & allow to cool- once cooled place in the refrigerator

7. I find letting the jar sit in the refrigerator at least overnight produces the best result.

Panko Onion Rings

You will need:

• 2 sweet onions

• 3 cups of almond milk

• 3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar

• 3 tablespoons of Sriracha

• 2 cups panko breadcrumbs

• 1 cup flour

• 2 eggs

• 2 teaspoons salt

• 2 teaspoons pepper

• 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper

Steps:

1. Clean then slice onions into ½ slices. Mix almond milk, apple cider vinegar, & Sriracha then place onion slices in mixture for at least 3 hours.

2. After 3 hours Preheat oven to 450° & line a cookie sheet (or 2) with parchment paper, & spray with olive oil

3. In a shallow bowl mix in flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, & ½ tablespoon cayenne.

4. To a shallow bowl add panko bread crumbs, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, & ½ tablespoon cayenne.

5. One onion ring at a time- remove a slice from almond milk mixture dip in flour, then in egg, then in panko. Flour- egg- panko

6. Place onion rings on parchment paper

7. Bake the onion rings 10 minutes then flip & cook an additional 10 minutes (or to desired golden brown color)

8. Onion rings are ready to dip & enjoy!

Cauliflower "Wings"

You will need:

For the “wings”

• 1 head of cauliflower

• 1 cup of almond milk

• ½ cup flour

• 2 teaspoons garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon cumin

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon ground pepper

• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs

For the sauce:

• ⅓ cup honey

• ⅓ cup Sriracha

• ¼ cup ketchup

• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 400 & cut parchment paper to a baking sheet

2. Wash cauliflower then cut into floret or boneless wing size pieces

3. In a medium bowl add almond milk, flour, garlic powder, cumin, salt & pepper then mix

4. To a shallow bowl add panko breadcrumbs

5. Dip each cauliflower floret into the wet mix then into the panko breadcrumbs & place on parchment paper

6. Once all the florets are on baking sheet drizzle with olive oil

7. Bake for 20 -25 minutes

**While the cauliflower wings bake to make the sauce

1. To a medium bowl add honey, sriracha, & ketchup then whisk

2. Remove wings from oven & toss in the sauce mixture

3. Throw the sesame seeds in wings as a final touch - serve with a dip or sauce

I love sharing the recipes I make for family & friends. I hope you enjoy 1 or more of these recipes.

*** Best practice- don't fry it just bake it! Happy Super Bowl everyone!