Superbowl Challenge…With Food
Not referring to the actual event, you see; rather, I’m writing about the challenge of making Superbowl -party friendly fare…that also happens to fit within Paleo parameters.
In response to my invitation to send me your challenges for dishes you’d like to create in healthier manner, one reader sent in the following request:
“What alternatives could you suggest for hot wings and guacamole with pita chips?”
I’d asked for more than just the names of a dish you’d like to see “Paleo-ized”; I wanted details such as what was it that you missed about these particular foods. Was it the crunch? The spice? The mouth feel?
I find that if the underlying factors are addressed, it’s easier to find something Paleo to eat instead of simply swapping out all purpose flour for almond flour and ending up with something that’s still rather processed and inflammatory.
(Reminder- this is in reference to Faux Paleo concoctions baked or bought and eaten daily…not as the rare, special occasion in which one might create a Paleo special occasion dessert for a birthday, anniversary, or something of the like..)
A quick google search revealed the following ingredients for a ‘hot wing’ recipe:
- 2 pounds chicken wings, tips discarded
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (add more if you can stand it)
- salt and ground black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1/2 cup hot sauce
Choose pastured chicken wings, swap the butter for coconut oil and use more cayenne, rather than commercially prepared hot sauce and you’re golden!
As far as guacamole, that’s already Paleo, with the exception of store-bought brands that use sour cream. Make your own with avocado, lime, cilantro and garlic. Couldn’t be easier!
What to dip into it? Crudites! Any and all fresh veg is fair game, from celery, to jicama, to carrot, cucumber, radish, bell pepper, broccoli and cauliflower.
I’m not pretending you’ll psych out the guests and convince them that the carrots are actually chips in disguise, but if it’s presented in a lovely manner, with all the color, flavor and taste inherent to True Paleo, it’ll be easier to have the guests partake than it would if you handed them a bag of raw spinach in lieu of a bag of chips when they walked in the door and hope they didn’t notice…
