February 2, 2011

A Paleo SuperBowl Sunday!

Nell,
Here's an idea for your blog. With Superbowl coming up this weekend, I am going to be with family watching the big game. My husband and I are both Paleo, but my sister & bro-in-law are not. What snacks can we take that will satisfy us all? What else is there besides raw veggies?
-Linda

GREAT idea for a blog post, Linda!

I did a blog post about this a couple of years ago, and it's a great topic.  I'd be kidding myself (and my readers) if I suggested they try to sneakily replace the cheesy nachos, fried chicken wings and endless beer with carrots, celery and lime-infused sparkling water and that the guests would be so engaged in the game that they wouldn't notice. (Much to my chagrin…)

1) Crudite Platter- yes, you've been there & done that, but it's likely one of the easiest things to prep and serve.  Offer a variety of veg (my faves include blanched broccoli & cauliflower florets, baby carrots and sliced bell pepper) along with healthy 'dips', such as homemade guacamole (sans the sour creme), or chopped-tomato salsa.   Keep the platter colourful and make the gauc spicy to ensure the dish looks and tastes interesting!

 2) Add some sweet to the savory with a Fruit & Nut Plate- freshly washed red & green grapes, sliced apples (toss them in lemon to prevent the browning/oxidation that occurs otherwise and give them a sprinkle of cinnamon) & whole strawberries are easy to serve and won't be as messy when eaten with your fingers as some other fruits may be.  Scatter some raw walnuts, or some freshly toasted pecans on top.  If you want a little more zip to the nuts, toss them in some salt-free chili powder right after you toast them (375F for about 15 minutes, turning once halfway should do it).

3) Charcuterie Platter- Make an herb-roasted turkey breast the day before or choose sliced turkey or roast beef from your local food shop (check to the label to be sure that they are nitrate and nitrite-free, and that they don't have any additives). Roll the slices up as is, or fill with shredded cabbage, mandarin orange segments and a slice of avocado to create little 'wraps' in keeping with the finger food theme.

4) If you feel like you've gotta have that 'crunch' but you really don't want to default to potato chips, try thinly slicing & broiling eggplant and zucchini.  It sounds funny, I know, but if you slice it correctly and broil it while continuously turning it, it dries out and crisps up nicely and acts as a great substitute for a cracker!

5) Chicken, Shrimp or Beef Kabobs also make a great option for utensil – free eating in front of the tube; marinate ahead of time if you wish, then thread onto presoaked skewers with onion and bell pepper slices.  Grill or broil, finish off with a squeeze of lime and serve on a platter with a scattering of cilantro on top. 

6) Offer a wide variety of beverages including flat water, sparkling water, 'spa water' (make this ahead of time by simply slicing lemon, lime, cucumber & kiwi and adding a few pieces of each to a pitcher of filtered water) and chilled green tea.   Even those who are partaking of the alcoholic drinks will thank you later for at least keeping them from getting quite as dehydrated as they otherwise would've!
7) Why not try a glass of wine instead of bottomless pints of beer?  (No doubt some of you will think I'm being sacrilegious at the mere mention of it, but I'm just saying…). Choose a few of your favorite bottles and create your own Superbowl flight.  If you, or your guests are as sensitive to grains as I (who gets so ill upon ingestion that I won't touch the stuff with a ten foot pole!), it will be a nice option.  Inevitably, someone will end up bringing beer anyway, so you likely needn't feel that you must provide the basis for a grain fest in a can.

 

0 comments