Are you ready for some football?

Dear Foodie-

I'm planning on having some people over for the Super Bowl. Every year I order up a big pile of chicken wings (which I think about for months beforehand) and no one really digs them.

Since some of my friends are vegetarians and/or calorie conscious I'm in search of alternative game foods. Got any suggestions that will satisfy my gluttony as well as their concerns?

Love,
Super Fan

Well Super Fan,

One, I hope you are rooting for the Colts or at least for Ms. Foodie to win one of her three wagers placed on Super Bowl XLI.

Two, there are so many options to give you, I am not sure where to begin! But here are a few ideas:

Depending on your culinary ambition, time and skills you can do a few things. You can make (0r buy) some hummus and serve with pitas, pita crisps (simply toast in oven), crackers and a variety of vegetables like sugar snap peas, carrots, etc (no one seems to eat the celery or califlower in a crudite). Making hummus is super easy if you have a food processor; even a small one like mine works well.

All you have to do is blend: one can of drained chick peas, a few cloves of garlic, chopped fresh parsley, lemon juice, olive oil, salt & pepper to taste. I also add some chicken stock until I get the desired consistency but you can add some vegetable stock to satisfy the vegetarian crowd. Also, feel free to jazz it up a bit with some chopped roasted red pepper or pitted kalmata olives - be creative!

Another simple dip is to roast some garlic and blend in a food processor with white beans, rosemary, good olive oil, thyme and as always salt & pepper to taste.

Even better still, add a platter of (store-bought are fine) roasted veggies with some whole wheat rolls for some simple sandwiches. And hey, they can always use the hummus as a nice change from mustard!

You can also make (or buy) some vegetarian pizzas with low fat fresh ingredients or try and make some mini-Mexican style ones. Just take some tortillas, spread some refried beans (canned are fine), add some salsa, reduced-fat shredded Mexican cheese and bake in a 250 degree oven until the cheese melts. Guilty pleasure without the guilt!

Lots of mindless eating goes on during games (I know whereof I speak) so with these few ideas your guests will feel like they are sharing in the feast without sacrificing their waistlines!

Enjoy!
"Foodie"

P.S. Maybe you can help Ms. Foodie out with some suggestions on how to handle her post-football depression. Sunday's won't be the same after this week!