Appetizers Pigs in a Blanket, low fat style Many of your guests may be looking for lighter big game party fare, but don t want to sacrifi ce the football foods they love. Our super-balanced menu gives you a game day party that will score big with all of your fans! 1 package (14 oz.) Johnsonville Chipotle or Apple Chicken sausage 1 package (2 ct.) puff pastry sheets Gourmet mustard to taste Apple-onion relish Pre-heat oven to 400 F. Cut puff pastry sheets in half and wrap Johnsonville Chipotle or Apple Chicken sausage in puff pastry. Bake 15 minutes or until pastry is golden brown. Serve with gourmet mustard (Meijer Gold) and apple-onion (see below) relish on the side. Apple-Onion Relish 2 cups chopped red onion 3/4 cup Meijer distilled white vinegar 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 tsp. tri-colored peppercorns, crushed 1/4 tsp. ground McCormick cumin 1 cup chopped Michigan apple (about 1 large apple) Combine onion, vinegar, sugar, peppercorns and cumin in a small saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low and cook the onions for 15 to 18 minutes. Add apple and cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Cool completely. Place the relish in a covered container and let marinate overnight in the refrigerator. Keep refrigerated up to two weeks. Nutrition Information (1/4 cup per serving): 87 calories, 0g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 1mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate, 1g fiber, 0g protein
Ten Minute Tortilla Soup Serves 4 1 can (14.5 oz.) Meijer Naturals Mexican Style Stewed Tomatoes, chopped 2 cups Meijer Naturals Chicken Stock 1 can (4 oz.) diced jalapeños, optional 1 cup shredded cooked chicken breast (rotisserie chicken), optional 2 Hass avocados from Chile 8 to 12 Meijer Multigrain Tortilla Chips ½ cup Meijer Reduced Fat Cheddar Cheese or Mexican Flavored Cheese Cilantro for garnish Meijer Non-Fat Sour Cream for garnish, optional In medium saucepan or microwaveable bowl, combine tomatoes, chicken stock, jalapeños and chicken, if using. Over medium high heat, heat to simmering or microwave on high 3 minutes. Meanwhile, rinse avocados, cut in half and spoon out pit. Cut into slices or chunks. Spoon stock/tomato mixture into bowls and add avocado slices or chunks. Top with tortilla chips and sprinkling of cheese. Garnish with cilantro and dollop of sour cream. Recipe source: chileanavocados.org Nutritional Information (per serving): 200 calories, 14g fat, 2.5g saturated fat, 5mg cholesterol, 575mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate, 4g fiber, 7g protein
Entrée Fiery Adobo Pork Skewers Serves 4 3 tbsp. puréed chipotle chiles in adobo sauce 3 tbsp. Meijer Light Brown Sugar 2 tbsp. fresh lime juice 1 (1 lb.) pork tenderloin, trimmed, cut into 1-inch cubes 1½ orange, yellow or red bell peppers, seeded, cut into 1-inch pieces 1 red onion, cut into 1-inch chunks Salt and Pepper to taste Combine puréed chiles, brown sugar and lime juice in a large bowl, season with salt and pepper to taste. Add pork, stir to coat. Transfer to a large, resealable plastic bag and refrigerate 4 to 6 hours. Coat grill rack with nonstick cooking spray and preheat to medium (350 F). Remove pork from marinade and discard marinade. On each of 4 skewers, alternately thread bell pepper, onion and pork. (If using wooden skewers, soak in water at least 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning.) Grill 6 to 8 minutes per side for medium-rare (145 F) or to desired doneness. Remove skewers from grill; let stand 5 minutes. Recipe source: Try-foods Int l., meijermealbox.com Nutrition Information (per serving): 182 calories, 3g fat, 0g saturated fat, 73mg cholesterol, 117mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate, 1g fiber, 24g protein Side Dishes Zesty Dill Potato Salad Serves 4 1 lb. medium red potatoes, scrubbed Salt to taste 2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar 1 tbsp. white-wine vinegar 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1/4 cup diced red bell pepper 1/4 cup diced green bell pepper 1/4 cup chopped green onions 1 tbsp. chopped fresh dill Freshly ground white or black pepper, to taste Boil potatoes in salted water in a saucepan until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and let stand until cool enough to handle. Cut potatoes in half lengthwise, then cut into approximately 1/2-inch slices. Place in a serving bowl. Sprinkle the potatoes with balsamic vinegar, white-wine vinegar and oil, tossing gently to coat. Add red and green bell peppers, green onions, dill and pepper, and toss gently to mix. Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve at room temperature. Recipe source: eatingwell.com Nutrition Information (per serving): 122 calories, 4g fat, 1g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 84mg sodium, 21g carbohydrates, 2g fiber, 2g protein
Desserts Philly Fruit Tart Serves 8 Broccoli Gouda Salad Serves 8 ½ cup Meijer Light Italian Salad Dressing ½ tsp. dried basil 1 garlic clove, minced 3 cups small broccoli florets ½ cup coarsely chopped Roma tomatoes ½ cup slivered almonds, toasted ½ cup halved, thinly sliced red onion 5 oz. smoked or plain Gouda, cut into ¼-inch cubes (about 1 cup) 3 cups Water Mix salad dressing, basil and garlic in a measuring cup, set aside. Place 3 cups water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Add broccoli and cook 1 minute or until broccoli brightens. Drain and rinse in cold water. Combine broccoli, tomatoes, almonds, onion and cheese in a medium bowl, toss to mix. Whisk dressing, drizzle over salad and toss to coat. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve. Recipe source: Try-foods Int l., meijermealbox.com Nutrition Information (per serving): 139 calories, 9g fat, 3g saturated fat, 20mg cholesterol, 335mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate, 2g fiber, 7g protein 1 Meijer Prepared Graham Cracker Pie Crust 1 (8 oz.) Philadelphia Milk, Dark or White Chocolate Indulgence (let stand at room temp. to soften) 1 quart (16 oz.) fresh strawberries, washed, hulled and sliced in half 1 pint (8 oz.) fresh blueberries, washed and pat dry 2 tbsp. Meijer Apple Jelly 1 tsp. Water Stir Philadelphia Chocolate Indulgence until smooth and creamy. Spread evenly into pie crust. Top generously with strawberries and blueberries to cover Chocolate Indulgence Cream. In a small microwave safe dish, add apple jelly and 1 tsp. water and heat 15 seconds on high. Remove and stir. Heat an additional 15-20 seconds and stir (should be the consistency of honey). Using a pastry or basting brush, lightly glaze fruit with melted apple jelly. Refrigerate 1 hour and serve. Nutrition Information (per serving): 294 calories, 15g fat, 34mg cholesterol, 291mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate, 3g fiber, 4g protein. Baker s One-Bowl Chocolaty Football Treats Makes 18 treats 6 squares Baker s semi-sweet chocolate 1/2 cup light corn syrup 1 tbsp. margarine 1/2 tsp. Meijer vanilla extract 4 cups cocoa sweetened rice cereal Decorating Icing or Gel Microwave chocolate, corn syrup and margarine in large microwaveable bowl on high 2-1/2 minutes, stirring after 1-1/2 minutes. Blend in vanilla. Add cereal; mix well. Cool 10 minutes. Shape into 18 (3-inch-long) football shapes with lightly moistened hands. Place on large sheet of wax paper; cool completely. Use decorating icing or gel to add "lacings" to "footballs." Let stand until icing is firm. Nutrition Information (per serving, 1 treat): 118 calories, 3.7g fat, 2g saturated fat, 73mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate, 1.2g protein.
Tips to Lighten up Game Day All foods can fit into a healthy diet when consumed in moderation, so you don t have to completely give up your hot wings. But defining moderation can often be difficult! Here s a snap shot of how you can reduce calories while still eating many of your big game party favorites: Game Day Favorite Lightened-up Defender Final Score 5 Chicken Wings or Hot Wings 350 25g Fat 15g Carb 3 Chicken Wings or Hot Wings 210 15g Fat 9g Carb 140 1 Bratwurst on Bun 440 25g Fat (8g Sat. Fat) 21g Carb 15g Protein Johnsonville Apple Chicken Sausage 270 12g Fat (2.5g Sat. Fat) 21g Carb 14g Protein 170 6 Meaty Sub 520 19g Fat 50g Carb Roast Beef Wrap Sandwich 400 10g Fat 56g Carb 120 12 Meat and Cheese Nachos (10 oz. serving) 645 38g Fat 55g Carb 8 Meat and Cheese Nachos (6.5 oz.) 432 25g Fat 37g Carb 213
Tips to Lighten up Game Day Game Day Favorite Lightened-up Defender Final Score 2 Slices Pepperoni Pizza 596 24g Fat 68g Carb 1 Slice Pepperoni Pizza 298 12g Fat 34g Carb 298 Potato Chips (2 oz., about 20 chips) 311 21g Fat 28g Carb Tortilla Chips (about 2 oz.) 249 12g Fat 33g Carb 62 French Onion Dip (about 1/4 cup) 120 9g Fat 6g Carb Traditional Salsa (about 1/4 cup) 20 0g Fat 5g Carb 100 1/3 lb. (5.3 oz.) Plain Cheeseburger 520 34g Fat 38g Carb 1/4 lb. (4 oz.) Plain Cheeseburger 390 26g Fat 28g Carb 130 1 Brownie 2-1/2 square 225 11g Fat 30g Carb Rice Krispies Treat 90 2.5g Fat 17g Carb 135 1 (12 oz.) Can Regular Soda 145 0g Fat 40g Carb 1 (12 oz.) Can Diet Soda 1 Calorie 0g Fat 0.1g Carb 144