Snacks for game watching or parties are fun to have on hand. They do not have to be unhealthy to taste really good. My kind of snacks have always been a big hit with family and guests – so give them a try. I have never heard that they didn’t go over well. In fact, I get many requests for the recipes. The sports season begins this week, so get ready.

Sweet and Spicy Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds can be seasoned, roasted in the oven and eaten as a healthy snack. They’re a very good source of phosphorus, magnesium, manganese and antioxidants; and they’re also a good source of protein, zinc, copper and iron. Besides – they taste good.

Make a double batch – they go fast.

Ingredients

• 2 cups raw, dry pumpkin seeds (be sure they are not salted)
  
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin
  
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
  
• 2 tablespoons honey

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Toss the seeds with the olive oil, salt, pepper, cinnamon, cumin, cayenne and honey in a mixing bowl.

Spread the seeds on a baking pan.

Roast the coated seeds until golden, about 15 – 20 minutes. Scrape the pan and stir the seeds as they cool to prevent sticking. After about 10 minutes cooling on the pan, the seeds will stick together.

They are easy to separate and will finish cooling without sticking after they are separated.

Remove to a serving bowl or store in an airtight container.

Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus

Pimentón is the Spanish version of paprika that adds a little smokiness to a recipe. It comes in three types with varying levels of heat. Dulce is slightly sweet with very little heat, agridulce has only a trace of sweetness but a lot of heat and picante is quite hot with just a trace of bitterness.

This is not the typical hummus made with tahini (sesame paste). This hummus uses sun-dried tomatoes and has delicious flavor from the Pimentón. The dip go very well with the homemade pita chips.

Ingredients

• 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained but reserve the bean liquid
  
• 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in olive oil
  
• Salt and pepper
  
• 2 cloves garlic, more to taste
  
• 1 tablespoon pimentón agridulce
  
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  
• Pita chips (recipe below) and  raw vegetables, for serving.
  

Directions

Drain the chickpeas, reserving the bean liquid separately.

Put the chickpeas and lemon juice into a blender or food processor and process until chunky.

Add salt, pepper, the garlic and pimentón and process; then add the sun-dried tomatoes and sun dried tomato oil. Process until very smooth.

Add some of the reserved bean liquid to thin the sauce to dipping consistency.

Serve with homemade pita chips and cut up vegetables.

Homemade Pita Chips

Za’atar seasoning is a Middle Eastern spice mixture that contains ground dried thyme, oregano, marjoram, toasted sesame seeds, salt and sumac.

Ingredients

• 1 package of pita pocket breads (6 pitas in a package)
• Olive oil
• Za’atar seasoning

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Oil two large rimmed baking pans.

Separate each pita into two rounds. Brush each with olive oil and sprinkle with the Za’atar seasoning mix. Cut each pita circle into 6 triangles.

Arrange the triangles on the baking sheets and bake until crispy and brown, about 20 minutes. Rotate the pans after ten minutes, Cool and store in a large ziplock bag until needed.

Small Wraps

Small hand foods are popular and easy to eat while you are watching a game. These can be filled with anything you like and cut as small as you like. Here are some suggestions.

Ingredients

• Whole-grain tortillas, lavash bread or lettuce leaves
• Drizzle of oil and vinegar

Protein Filling Ingredients

• Thinly sliced roast turkey, chicken, ham or roast beef
  
• Tuna
  
• Hummus
  
• Cheese
  
• Eggs
  
• Nut Butters
  
• Edamame

Vegetable Filling Ingredients

• Greens: lettuce, baby spinach, kale, Swiss chard
  
• Tomatoes
  
• Cucumbers
  
• Peppers
  
• Carrots
  
• Mushrooms
  
• Avocado
  
• Zucchini Slices
  
• Onion
  
• Celery
• Pickled Cucumbers, Peppers or other Pickled Vegetables

Spreads

• Light Mayonnaise
  
• Greek Yogurt
  
• Mustard
  
• Hummus
  
• Mashed Avocado
• Relish
  

Directions

Choose a type of wrap or use a variety. Choose a spread and cover the wrap on one side.

Layer the wrap with a protein and veggies of choice. Drizzle with a little oil and vinegar. Roll-up tightly and place on a serving dish. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate until game time.

Pepper and Corn Salsa

The fresh flavors of this seasonal salsa is what makes it taste so good. Homemade chips make it taste even better.

Ingredients

• 3 bell peppers, seeded and diced (use a variety of colors)
  
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and finely diced
  
• 1 cup fresh corn kernels, cooked
  
• 1 tomato, seeded and diced
  
• 1/2 red onion, finely diced
  
• 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
  
• Juice of half a lime
  
• Pinch of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper Flakes
  
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Homemade tortilla chips

Directions

Place the diced vegetables and corn to a medium serving bowl.

Add the lime juice, salt, pepper and cayenne to the bowl. Mix well. Let the flavors combine for at least twenty minutes before serving.

Serve either at room temperature or slightly chilled with tortilla chips.

Homemade Tortilla Chips

Ingredients

• Olive oil
  
• One package (8-10) large (12 inch) flour tortillas
• Taco seasoning mix, recipe below

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Oil two rimmed baking sheets.

Brush the tortillas with olive oil and sprinkle each with taco seasoning. Cut the tortillas into 8 triangles and arrange them on the prepared baking sheets.

Bake until golden brown and crisp, rotating the baking sheets once, about 12 to 15 minutes.

Taco Seasoning Mix

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon chili powder
  
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
  
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
  
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
  
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

In a small bowl, mix all together. Store in an airtight container.

 

 

Posted by Jovina Coughlin in Appetizer, Beans, corn, Healthy Italian Cooking, Honey, peppers, pita, Sun Dried Tomatoes, tomatoes, Tortillas, Vegetables Tags: snacks for game watching