Super Snacking Sunday is fast approaching

BY MICHELE D. BAKER

Professional football as we know it has been around since 1920, but the first Super Bowl, the annual championship of the National Football League (NFL), only dates back to January 1967.

Super Bowl Sunday is widely celebrated in the US, especially in the Deep South. It’s the most watched annual television program in the U.S. and ranks second (Thanksgiving is first) as the day for most food consumption. Over 20 million Americans attend Super Bowl parties and half of all Americans say they would rather go to a Super Bowl party than to a New Year’s Eve party.

It’s amazing how food has become associated with football – from tailgating to the food for the game. Think of all the hand to mouth munching on chips, dips, and wings; a swig or two or three; a cookie here and there. Superbowl LVII is coming up February 12. These recipes are healthier takes on the usual nibbles, festive, easy to make, and are sure to please every football fan!

Soy Garlic Ginger Chicken Wings

These baked chicken wings are coated in a sticky sweet sauce made from honey, soy sauce, garlic and ginger for an Asian kick. Great for Game Day!

For the chicken wings:

• 2 pounds chicken wings, tips removed, and drumettes separated (24-26 chicken wings)

• 1 Tablespoon avocado oil or vegetable oil

• salt and pepper, to taste

1. Preheat oven to 425°.

2. Use a paper towel to remove any moisture from the chicken wings; toss the wings with the oil, salt, and pepper.

3. Place a piece of parchment paper on a baking sheet then place a wire rack on top. Spread out the wings in a single layer on the baking sheet.

4. Bake for 40-45 minutes until crispy, turning once.

For the soy garlic ginger sauce:

• 1/2 cup honey

• 1/3 cup soy sauce

• 4 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 Tablespoon ginger, finely diced

• 1/4 cup water

1. While the wings are cooking, make the sauce. Add the honey, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and water to a small pot. Bring it to a boil and reduce the heat to low letting it simmer for 10 minutes – or until slightly reduced and thickened.

2. Remove the sauce from the heat and let it cool. It will continue to thicken as it cools.

3. Remove wings from the oven. Toss the wings in the sauce and place them back in the oven on the baking sheet and cook for an additional 10 minutes.

Blt Guacamole

Ingredients:

• 3 ripe avocados

• 1 cup romaine lettuce, roughly chopped

• 10 grape or cherry tomatoes, quartered

• ¼ cup crumbled bacon

• 1 green onion, sliced

• 2 Tablespoons chopped cilantro

• 1 teaspoon minced garlic

• ½ teaspoon salt

• juice of 1 lime

Remove the skin and pit the avocados – mash in a large mixing bowl with a fork. Add the remaining ingredients and mix well. Serve with tortilla chips or veggie sticks.

Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Ingredient:

• 4 zucchinis (about 6-8” long)

• Italian sausage

• Jar of marinara sauce

• mozzarella

• mini pepperoni slices

1. Cook the sausage until browned, drain the fat, and stir in the marinara sauce.

2. Slice the zucchini in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds to create a channel for toppings. Fill each with sausage mixture, sprinkle with mozzarella, and top with mini pepperoni. Bake at 375° for 20-25 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil. Makes 8 servings.