The Observer, February 1, 2008
Volume XL, Issue 15
Lighten Up: Super Bowl Snacks
This Sunday, most of us will be watching, or at least pretending to watch, Super Bowl XLII. Whether you watch the game or not, enjoying the delicious snacks that go along with Super Bowl Sunday is part of the game's tradition. Since nachos, wings, and pizza are not the best choices for sticking to New Year's Resolutions, here are recipes for some delicious snacks that will give your self-control a break.
Hot Pepper Cheese Ball
2-8 oz. packages of 1/3 less fat cream cheese
1/3 cup Robert Rothschild hot pepper peach or raspberry preserves
1 Tbsp. finely chopped onion
1 Tbsp. finely chopped jalapeņo pepper
1 package (8 oz.) reduced-fat shredded monterey jack cheese,
split into one 6 oz. portion and one 2 oz. portion
Cream together all ingredients and 6 oz. of shredded cheese and chill for about one hour. Form into a ball then roll into remaining cheese. Keep chilled until ready to use. Can be made up to two days ahead of time. Serve with crackers.
Black Bean Salsa
2-16 oz cans black beans, rinsed and drained
1 red pepper, cored, seeded and diced
1 green pepper, cored, seeded and diced
1/2 red onion, diced
2 ripe tomatoes, chopped or 15 grape tomatoes, quartered
1 package frozen sweet corn, thawed according to directions
6 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
3 Tbsp. white wine vinegar
3 Tbsp. fresh cilantro, chopped
Mix all ingredients together and allow to marinate for1/2 hour. Serve with baked tortilla chips.
Chewy Chocolate-Cherry Cookies
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 large egg
2/3 cup dried tart cherries
3 Tbsp. semisweet chocolate chips
Cooking spray
Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, stirring with a whisk. Place sugar and butter in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at high speed until well blended. Add vanilla and egg; beat well. With mixer on low speed, gradually add flour mixture. Beat just until combined. Fold in cherries and chocolate chips. Drop by tablespoonfuls two inches apart onto baking sheets coated with cooking spray.
Bake at 350° for 12 minutes or just until set. Remove from oven; cool on pans five minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely on wire racks. Each cookie contains 80 calories and 2.7g of fat.
Sweet Potato Fries
1 medium-sized yam or sweet potato
Lawry's Seasoning Salt (to taste)
Slice potato into desired thickness of fries. Season with Lawry's. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray; arrange fries on baking sheet
Bake fries at 450 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Turn fries over and bake an additional five minutes (or until crispy). Serve immediately.
