Super Bowl XLVI is coming up this weekend with the New York Giants and the New England Patriots, and most of us are having or going to Super Bowl parties. I have had so many email requests for easy, healthy ideas for game, so I wanted to share one of our favorite lightened-up football snack recipes. Rosemary Infused Nuts are a tremendous hit! This simple, 20 minute recipe is filled with cashews, almonds and pumpkin seeds. Nuts are a great source of healthy fat, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber and protein. By consuming this type of fat, you’ll feel less hungry, and your sugar cravings will diminish. They are filled with the following power food nuts:

Pumpkin Seeds: I love using pumpkin seeds in this nut mix because they are high in zinc and have been linked to so many benefits including great looking skin and boosting your immunity.

Almonds: Almonds are a power nut high in Vitamin E and potassium and one of the most nutritious nuts.

Cashews: Cashews are also a rich source of iron and zinc, and they have been linked to hair, skin and bone health.

Other Lightened Up Super Bowl Snack Ideas

Chicken Chipotle Dip   

Spinach Dip with Greek Yogurt

Panko Roasted Drumsticks

If you’re looking for a super easy appetizer for New Year’s Eve, Super Bowl Party or just any occasion, I have one for you. This Chipotle Chicken Dip is one of my newest favorite lightened up appetizer recipes. Take a shortcut by using a rotisserie chicken and add light cream cheese, nonfat Greek yogurt, green chilies, chipotle seasoning. Serve it with your favorite whole grain crackers, pita chips or fresh vegetables, and you’ll have a crowd favorite.

Lately, I’ve had so many requests for an easy, healthy fall weeknight dinner recipe that kids will love too. This recipe for Lightened Up Chicken Tetrazzini is one that really sticks out in my mind. I purchase a rotisserie chicken for the chopped, cooked chicken which makes my life easier. I also used light cream cheese, low sodium chicken broth and whole wheat noodles to make this dish healthier. The panko breadcrumb topping is probably my favorite part, giving it a toasty crunch and pretty golden color. This is a great make-ahead recipe or wonderful to take to someone who is ill or just had a baby. Feel free to make this recipe ahead of time and freeze. To thaw, place in the refrigerator overnight and let stand at room temperature 30 minutes before baking as directed.

As I mentioned last week, football is just kind of big around here during football season. Each week, we rotate going to friends’ houses to watch the game or head to the games (if we are lucky enough). I have such a great time coming up with creative ways to make tailgating (and game watching) a little healthier, so everyone  doesn’t feel so stuffed (and guilty) when the games are over. These Panko Roasted Drumsticks are definitely one of my new popular crowd pleasers. They appeal to adults as well as kids, and they are so simple to make. Your guests won’t believe that this recipe is a “lightened up” version of one of their favorite party foods.

This is not one of my typical “lightened-up” recipes, but I had to share these Any Occasion Chocolate Cupcakes with you. My daughter, Leigh, made this recipe for me the night I arrived home from being in Italy for a week. I was so excited to come home to my family and true comfort food. These are so spectacular. You don’t even need to make homemade icing. I wanted to post the recipe for Father’s Day, but I was traveling again this past week. I realized that this recipe is perfect for so many occasions: Father’s Day, birthdays, parties, showers or just because. I thought they would be a great way to start off the week so enjoy.

Passover, one of the most widely celebrated Jewish holidays, is only a few weeks away, beginning on April 18th. I have had so many email and tweets for recipe ideas, so I thought I would share this Mediterranean Chicken recipe which is a family favorite. This recipe and a Passover menu will be featured in the spring issue of “Yum Food” Magazine. This chicken is simple, yet elegant, and it’s perfect for Easter as well as all holidays.

I love Veal Piccata and realized that it can be lightened up tremendously, and it is oh so easy -only 20 minutes to prepare. This recipe also works great with chicken cutlets and sliced pork loin, both easily found in the grocery store. Both of these options come thinly sliced which eliminates having to pound the meat. I used egg whites for the liquid and a simple whole wheat flour mixture for the breading. Then, I lightly fried in olive oil. Serve these with a salad and a vegetable, and dinner is on the table in less than 30 minutes.

I have been so fortunate to have made so many new friends lately that have been so helpful with my upcoming cookbook. A few weeks ago, I met Nancy Bynon, through a publisher friend of mine (thank you Sheila), and it was truly my lucky day. Nancy was one of the Editors of the “Tables of Content” cookbook for the Junior League of Birmingham. It’s an amazing cookbook-one of my all-time favorites, and many talented women of Birmingham worked hard to develop such a fabulous book. Nancy has been so wonderful to me by helping me test recipes and offering great suggestions. The night I met her, she was making a version of this recipe. It was delicious, and I told her my kids would love it. When I made it the other night, everyone was fighting over it. It is truly great and a perfect weeknight or weekend main-dish pasta salad. Thanks to all of you (you know who you are) who are have helped me out. One more month to go.

We have been eating a lot of cold dishes lately since it is beyond hot here in Alabama. I love trying new versions of chicken salad, and this Greek Chicken Salad is so easy and so flavorful. I used rotisserie chicken to make this recipe even easier. Serve on lettuce leaves or in a pita for a really simple main-dish.

T-Shirt Giveaway:

Enter for a chance to win an Ingredients, Inc. T-shirt by leaving a comment below telling me what’s your favorite cold-main dish and/or your favorite grilled cheese sandwich. I will select a random winner on Wednesday August 4th.