parties & gatherings | reluctantentertainer.com Reluctant Entertainer I Sandy Coughlin - Lifestyle, Entertaining, Food, Recipes, Hospitality and Gardening

There really is a way to bring some wholeness and goodness to one of the most popular snacking occasions of the year – The Big Game- known in our household as Super Bowl Sunday, and that’s by creating a menu with less fat and great tasting recipes and tips!

Last week I shared my veggie platter with Swiss Cheese Onion Dip recipe, served with Pepperidge Farms Baked Naturals® Cracker Chips collection, that includes Simply Multi-Grain and Simply Cheddar varieties.

I believe guests really appreciate a healthy alternative to classic game-day recipes (the typical potato skins, delivered pizza, chicken wings, indulgent dips, etc.).

So today I’m sharing another recipe which would be perfect for a Game Day menu: Stuffed Endive with Walnuts and Honey Appetizers, served with a bowl of Pepperidge Farms Baked Naturals® Cracker Chips. (Recipe below, inspired by my friend, Kristin, I used pecans instead of walnuts.)

Why serve Baked Naturals® Cracker Chips?

Because they are a unique snack that delivers wholesome goodness with a great tasting crunch, yet 50 percent less fat than the leading potato chip, the newest Cracker Chips flavors—Simply Potato and Cheddar & Sour Cream Potato—are an ideal alternative to potato chips (a hard-to-avoid snack… Until now!).

An alternative to potato chips? I’m so jazzed about this new, healthier product!

So what would my menu look like, if hosting a Super Bowl party?

First of all, I find that if everyone contributes, it’s really helpful. Being the hostess, of course I’ll fill in the gaps and make sure we have enough food, but delegation really helps take the pressure off of a reluctant entertainer. And also, we should focus a little on health and portion control (not always easy to do on rare, occasional celebrations).

Game Day Menu Ideas:
Smoked Turkey Mango Chili
Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread Muffins (She Wears Many Hats)
Spinach and Edamame Salad (Bev Cooks)
Pasta Salad Skewers (Cooking During Stolen Moments)
Healthy vegetable tray
Swiss Cheese Onion Dip
Classic Hummus
Many bags of Baked Natural Cracker Chips
Mediterranean Stuffed Mushrooms (Aggie’s Kitchen)
Endive Filled with Blue Cheese, Walnuts, and Honey (recipe below)
Desserts brought by other guests, although I will be making these yummy Lemon Meringue Bites!

Whether entertaining a starting line-up of close friends, or simply keeping your own “home team” satisfied throughout the game, we want to see how you plan to entertain as football season comes to a close!

Will you be delegating part of the menu for Super Bowl? And how will you add a “healthy spin” to your menu?

Recipe: Stuffed Endive with Walnuts and Honey {ReluctantEntertainer.com}

Summary: I added chili powder for an extra “kick” to these delicious bites.

Ingredients

8-oz. package cream cheese
8 oz. Blue Cheese
1/2 c. sugar
1 tsp. chili powder
2 c. walnuts, chopped (I used pecans)
1/4 c. butter
1 1/4 lb. or so (about 10 small endives or 4 large)
Honey (for drizzling)

Instructions

Let cheeses soften to room temperature. Mix together with a fork until smooth: cream cheese and bleu cheese.
Mix together the sugar and chili powder; set aside.
To prepare the pecans, in a skillet, on medium heat, slowly brown the butter and sugar/chili powder mixture until sugar’s melted. Add the nuts and stir constantly until golden.
Turn the caramelized nuts out onto wax paper, spreading to avoid clumping. Let cool.
Prepare the endive by cutting the ends off and separating the leaves. Spread each leaf with the cream cheese/ blue cheese mix, arranging on platter as you go.
Garnish the leaves with the caramelized pecans. Drizzle each piece with honey.
You may need to warm the honey slightly if it’s too thick.
Add fruit or crackers to the middle of the platter. Serve.

Preparation time: 10 minute(s)

Number of servings (yield): 12

(I am being compensated by Pepperidge Farm® for my time and materials used in the Pepperidge Farm® Baked Naturals® Cracker Chips post.)