It’s that time of year Buckeye fans… time to bust out the grill and the crock pot and get your tailgate party on! We all have some tried and true favorite recipes that are sure to please the team on those game day Saturdays; but I thought I would share some unique ideas for you to try this season to help elevate your tailgate.
No Ohio football party is complete without a little something special brewing in the crock pot, so let’s start off with some great ideas to make or keep food warm for the crowd in the slow cooker.
With an autumn inspired twist on the usual cheese dip; this queso brings pumpkin into the mix for a slightly lighter version that’s packed with flavor. Serve it with corn chips or veggies for dipping.
PUMPKIN CHILE CON QUESO
Serves 16
Ingredients:
1 3/4 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
2/3 cup 365 Everyday Value® 100% Pure Pumpkin
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 (10-ounce) can 365 Everyday Value® Organic Petite Diced Tomatoes with Jalapeños & Cilantro, drained, liquid reserved
1/2 pound (about 2 cups) shredded Mexican blend cheese
1/4 cup light sour cream
Method:
In a medium pot, vigorously whisk together broth, pumpkin, flour and reserved tomato liquid until well combined. Bring just to a boil over medium-high heat, whisking often, and then lower heat to medium-low and simmer until silky and thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and gently stir in cheese, a handful at a time. When completely melted, stir in tomatoes and sour cream and serve warm.
Nutritional Info:
Per Serving: Serving size: about 1/4 cup, 100 calories (60 from fat), 7g total fat, 4.5g saturated fat, 20mg cholesterol, 180mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (1g dietary fiber, 2g sugar), 5g protein
Chili is a favorite for fall sports watching. Here is an interesting take on the normal recipe with white beans and cauliflower adding a rich creaminess to the chicken based meal. To serve an even larger crowd, pile it over some whole wheat spaghetti, creating a lighter version of that Ohio favorite- Cincinnati Chili!
SLOW COOKER WHITE CHILI
Serves 16
Ingredients:
6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 (16-ounce) bag dried 365 Everyday Value® Organic Cannellini Beans, picked through
1 (16-ounce) bag frozen 365 Everyday Value® Sweet White Corn
2 poblano peppers (or 2 green bell peppers), chopped
1 head cauliflower, trimmed and cut into small florets
1 yellow onion, chopped
2 quarts low-sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 cup lowfat sour cream
2 teaspoons fine sea salt
Method:
Arrange chicken in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Top with beans, corn, poblanos, cauliflower, onion, broth, cumin and chili powder. Cover and cook on low until beans are very tender and cauliflower has fallen apart, about 10 hours. Stir in sour cream and salt, ladle into bowls and serve.
Nutritional Info:
Per Serving: 300 calories (50 from fat), 6g total fat, 1.5g saturated fat, 35mg cholesterol, 600mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (9g dietary fiber, 8g sugar), 22g protein
Speaking of cauliflower, what if you turned your veggies into that all-time favorite buffalo goodness? Just as spicy, these bites are an interesting healthy alternative to chicken wings. I recommend grilling – you just can’t beat the flavor of the char of a grill. Grilled or oven-roast until cauliflower is browned and nutty, then toss them with a tangy sauce that can be as spicy as you like.
BUFFALO CAULIFLOWER BITES
Serves 6
Ingredients:
1 head cauliflower, broken into small florets
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup sweet paprika
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
Method:
Preheat the oven to 450°F or prepare a grill for medium heat cooking. Roast cauliflower on a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet or place it on a grill rack and cook, turning occasionally, until browned and tender, 10 to 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, whisk vinegar, sweet paprika, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt and 3 tablespoons water together in a large bowl. Taste the sauce; if you’d like it hotter, add a bit more cayenne. Toss the cauliflower in the sauce until well coated and transfer to a platter.
Nutritional Info:
Per Serving: 45 calories (5 from fat), 0g total fat, 0g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 85mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (4g dietary fiber, 2g sugar), 3g protein
Vegan substitutes not your thing? Not to worry, here is a delicious recipe for chicken wings with hoisin and lime that are grilled and will be a half-time favorite at your party.
ASIAN-STYLE CHICKEN WINGS WITH HOISIN AND LIME
Serves 8 to 10
Ingredients:
Canola spray oil
3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 cup hoisin sauce
1/3 cup lime juice (with its pulp)
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
2 pounds chicken wing drummettes
1 teaspoon sesame seeds, toasted
2 green onions, thinly sliced
Method:
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with foil and generously spray with oil.
Using the side of a chef’s knife, mash salt and garlic together to form a paste. Transfer to a large bowl, whisk in hoisin, lime juice and sugar, and then set aside about 1/3 cup of the mixture in a small bowl. Toss chicken with remaining mixture and transfer to a prepared baking sheet. Roast, flipping once, for 30 minutes.
Brush chicken with reserved sauce and continue to roast, basting and turning again every 5 or 10 minutes, until very tender and charred in some places, about 20 minutes more. (Alternatively, preheat a grill to medium heat and finish the wings on the grill, turning and basting every minute or so, until cooked through, about 10 minutes more.)
Transfer to a platter, top with sesame seeds and green onions, and serve.
Active cooking time: About 30 minutes
Total cooking time: About 1 hour
Nutritional Info:
Per Serving:270 calories (150 from fat), 17g total fat, 4.5g saturated fat, 75mg cholesterol, 500mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (0g dietary fiber, 7g sugar), 19g protein
Have a game day favorite recipe you can’t do without or want to share with us how your tailgate grub worked out? Send us an email. Featured recipes and photos are from WholeFoodsMarket.com.
With “A Kitchen Inspired” we will share with you the current and up and coming ingredients, products and cooking methods that inspire our team members, chefs and the kitchen at Whole Foods Market Dublin.
Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (wholefoodsmarket.com, NASDAQ: WFM), is the leading natural and organic food retailer. As America’s first national certified organic grocer, Whole Foods Market was named “America’s Healthiest Grocery Store” by Health magazine. The company’s motto, “Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet”™ captures its mission to ensure customer satisfaction and health, Team Member excellence and happiness, enhanced shareholder value, community support and environmental improvement.
All facts and information about our food waste in the United States came from the Natural Resources Defense Council website.