A few simple twists and you can do much better than this:
Updated from Aug 2015
Not-very-healthy Football Snacks
Courtesy of Readers Digest and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence
It's tempting to let football fans - god love 'em - to indulge during important sports events and to spoil them with their preferred high-fat, high-salt treats. But is that wise?
A few simple tweaks can minimise the damage unhealthy snacks cause and still offer sassy finger-licking food. Carrot and celery sticks may feature but the showpieces here are cleaned up 'dirty foods'.
Favourites
BURGERS & HOT DOGS. Low-fat chicken or fish burgers and chicken dogs will be accepted by nearly everyone, as long as the burgers don't have the texture of hockey pucks, and the condiments and salad are fresh, plentiful and have good flavour.
Try 67's Felafel Platter (vegetarian), popular amongst staff at a French bank. See also Burgers Don't Need to be Unhealthy.
Vegetarian chilli dogs are a good bet for those who won't eat meat. Try quorn or middle Eastern brands (67 loves Tivali from Health Food Shops.) Check before you buy; some brands are quite bready.
CHILLI. Using turkey mince instead of beef in 67goingon50's signature dish doesn't stint on flavour or heat but cuts cholesterol. Serve with separate bowls of grated cheese, finely chopped red onion, avocado mashed with lemon juice and dried chilli, tortilla chips, and finely diced fresh red chillis. Then you've got yourself a party.
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| Muscular Turkey Chilli, perfect for footie gatherings (with cornbread bacon muffins) |
BUFFALO WINGS - Bake them naked until the fat begins to run, then brush with sauce/marinade at regular intervals. Serve extra sauce on the side or poured over the wings. This year (2022) chicken wings have taken off, mainly due to their low price but also following the introduction of high-welfare chooks at M&S with bargain prices for wings, drums & thighs. Two new sensational recipes are succulent Lemon Pepper Wings and exotic Dukkha Wings with a crunchy Middle Eastern flavour.
SKINNIER SANDWICHES: reduce protein by adding plenty of salad, veg or fruit. Try cheddar with apple (dropped in lemon juice to stop browning); beef & sweet pickle with yoghurt mayo; smoked mackerel with olives & flaked almonds. There won't be as much need for expensive protein and money can be saved.
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| Ham & Celeriac, an unusually tasty sandwich filling |
Reduce carbs with open-faced sandwiches: devilled tuna, ham hock & celeriac salad, or the popular hoisin chicken. Vietnamese rice paper wraps provide an unexpected sensational treat.
OR go for a completely carb-free sandwich - slice a cucumber in half lengthwise - or in slices - , remove seeds, stuff with a layer of ham then cheese; press together.
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Courtesy of Empowered Substance and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence
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LOW-FAT DIPS
Have a look at Dips and Sauces for some wonderful low-fat, sassy dips.
DRINKS
If you're in the mood to party and your guests haven't far to go, try Party Sangria - one glass won't be enough to satisfy but too many and the floor will wobble. A no-alcohol version is also available
Go to Recipes I/Drinks on the NavBar for no/low alcohol drinks or double-duty options with alcohol and non-alcohol options from the same recipe.
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| Party Sangria: 'It's as good as in Spain' Taster |
Bar Snacks
⦁ NUTS. Make your own. Spray raw nuts lightly with olive oil and spread out in a baking tray. Roast in a 180C/350F/gas 4 preheated oven for no more than 5 minutes tossing half-way if they're getting too brown. Salt lightly; add finely minced fresh or dried rosemary or smoked paprika.
If packaged nuts are all that's available, pour them into a mesh strainer, shake vigorously to remove excess salt and rub with a paper napkin to reduce oil.⦁ CRISPS There are plenty of low-salt and/or fat-reduced crisps around. One of our favourite English food halls does a lentil based and a chickpea crisp which may not convince your kids but, with a creamy low-fat dip, makes a substitute no one will complain about. Organic crisps are also good, though expensive and not lacking in salt and oil.
TRY: ROASTED SPICED CHICKPEAS: they more than meet the craving for something crunchy and savoury but are low in salt and preservative-free. Try adding the Middle Eastern lemony spice, sumac, currently in supermarkets
⦁ CHIPS. Crispy sweet potato roasted wedges are as good as fries and have more food value. Cut 3 sweet potatoes in half lengthwise, then each half into three long spears. (If there's time and for a more chip-like texture, drop the wedges into boiling water turn heat down sightly & leave for 8 mins before draining and shaking) Place in a bowl and pour over a scant tablespoon of olive oil. Toss. Spread out on a tray lined with greaseproof paper; bake 45 mins or until crisp and brown, turning once halfway through (Or use an Air Fryer, following manufacturer's instructions). Sprinkle lightly with salt and a 1/2 tablespoon of cajun seasoning. If the fans must have potatoes, go for Garlic Potato Wedges.
⦁ SPARE RIBS: Reduce fat & tenderise the meat at the same time. Drop ribs
into boiling water with 2 onions and 2 cloves of garlic. Boil 5 mins; reduce heat to medium; simmer 30-45 mins or until tender & and nearly falling off the bone. (This step can take place up to 2 days before). When ready to cook, marinade
& roast as normal.
⦁ SAUSAGES. Enjoy the flavour & texture grease-free. Pierce with a fork several times. Drop into boiling water; turn off heat and leave 10 mins. Bake on a rack in a roasting tray so sausages don't sit in their own fat. To make up for the slightly drier texture, serve with tomato jam or no-sugar relish).
NO-BUTTER GARLIC BREAD - Completely guilt-free - NO butter - but still the tastiest, crunchiest garlic bread ever.
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B Lee/Bright Sun Enterprises accept no liability for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. These recipes have been developed by B Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises and may not be reproduced, in any form, without the author's written permission.
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