Six Yummy Organic Recipes For Your Super Bowl Party

Forget football, the Super Bowl is perhaps the most important snacking event of the year! Chips, dips and finger foods are the way to please your game loving crowd, but you and your guests don’t have to indulge in fatty foods to have a good time. Instead try our 6 yummy organic munchies at your big game party this year -- we promise they'll win big!

HOMEMADE TORTILLA CHIPS

Forget the store bought chips, making your own tortilla chips is fast and easy and allows you to add extra zing with your own spices! Just cut corn tortillas into sixths, and spread on a cookie sheet sprayed with cooking spray. Bake in the oven at 400 degrees for about 6 minutes, then flip. Lightly spray the other side with cooking spray and sprinkle with your favorite dried spices. Try basil, cayenne, rosemary, or just plain sea salt, and bake that side for 6 more minutes. Cool and serve for a hearty crunchy snack!

LOW FAT MEXIDIP

Dip your chips in your own creamy fresh and fat free Mexican inspired dip. Use versatile fat free Greek yogurt, and combine in your food processor with a red pepper, purple onion, bunch of chopped cilantro, can of black beans, dash of balsamic vinegar and cayenne pepper to taste. The dip is creamy, hearty and great for chips, pretzels and fresh veggies.

MEDITERRANEAN SALSA

In case you have some vegans in the house, whip up some fresh salsa with a little flair. Mediterranean salsa is just as fresh and yummy, but olives and basil add a new kick. Finely chop 2 large seeded tomatoes, 1 small jar roasted red peppers, ½ red onion, one bunch fresh basil, ¾ cup Kalamata olives, 1 garlic clove and ½ zucchini or cucumber. Toss with 2 tsp lemon juice, 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil, a dash of salt, pepper and balsamic vinegar. Serve with your chips or pita chips.

HOMEMADE HUMMUS PINWHEELS

Hummus is cheap, healthy and easy. Just throw one can of chickpeas, one tablespoon tahini, 3 garlic gloves, a squeeze of lemon and ½ cup water in your food processor, with salt to taste (pepper too if you’d like.) Spread the mixture on whole wheat tortillas, covering the entire wrap, then roll. Slice into 1 inch pieces, and you have a garlicky-good finger food!

EGGPLANT SLIDERS

Sliders are synonymous with sports parties, and the smoky flavor of eggplant meshes well with mini brioche rolls! Choose a small eggplant, and cut into medallions, leaving the skin on. Brush with olive oil  and sprinkle salt and pepper, and bake the medallions for 7 minutes at 400F, then flip and repeat. Lower the heat to 300, and let cook for about 15 minutes (eggplant will be tender). Now get creative- top with goat cheese and roasted red pepper, or cheddar and barbeque sauce! Give your guests a variety and watch them devour!

PARTY CHILI

A Crock Pot not only seals in flavor while slow cooking, but also doubles as your serving dish. Veggie chili practically makes itself. Just dump 1 can organic pealed tomatoes, I can organic black beans and 1 can organic chick peas into the pot. Dice 2 zucchini, 1 onion, 2 carrots, 2 celery stalks, 1 red pepper and green chilies to taste. Add garlic gloves, oregano, cumin, salt and chili powder to your liking, and let simmer for 4 hours. Serve with bread or chips!

Your guests are sure to be satisfied with your savory treats, and you can pair them with some organic brews, like Peak Organic’s Amber Ale!

[via inhabitat]

4th of July Food Ideas: Red, White, Blue and Delicious!

Looking forward to our nation’s birthday? One of the best ways to make this July 4th memorable is a patriotic picnic.

So how to make a picnic patriotic? However you can, show your colors: red, white and blue.

Perhaps the easiest way is with everything but the food. Plates, cups and utensils – get them in red, white and blue – or each in one of the three colors. Make sure your table cloth or ground cover also sets the colors right.

And think green, with red, white and blue. Try to use reusable, such as white or blue cloth napkins, white china plates, and blue cups. Get fun decorations like streamers and flags. And for picnics heading into the dusk, sparklers add festive light.

Next, you’ll want to think of foods and drinks that are easy to carry and serve. And of course, you’ll want to enjoy foods that fresh and unique to the season, so plan on favorites like grilled foods, fresh fruits, summer salads, and of course corn on the cob.

Here are some 4th of July food ideas that show your colors

Fruit Salads - One of the best ideas for a patriotic picnic is a fruit salad. First, there are so many fresh summer fruits that are red or blue. Mix blueberries with strawberries, raspberries, or chunks of watermelon. Then top it with whip cream – or put it on yogurt – for a cool, sweet, patriotic treat.


Tomato Salad – Another great choice. There are many varieties of tomatoes, so choose the right color for your Independence Day salad. Top with mozzarella salad, serve in a blue bowl, and you’ve got a great flag-saluting side dish.

Red Potato Salad - While we all know russet potatoes, the fact is there are many varieties. For the 4th of July, pick red potatoes. Top with shredded mozzarella or white cheddar, and serve in a blue bowl. Tasty and colorful!

Coleslaw - Another great salad idea for your holiday picnic. With so many varieties of cabbage, you can choose white, red and purple varieties to create a colorful mix. And as an added plus, cabbages are among the most healthy vegetables, and tastes great chilled – making in an awesome summer salad.

Iced Tea or Lemonade - Cool and refreshing, both tea and lemonade come in many varieties – and colors. As an added plus, many teas have super healthy antioxidants, which slow aging and help prevent cancer. So choose a red tea or strawberry lemonade, and float some blueberries on top. Serve in white cups or with white napkins, and you’ve saluting your flag.

Chicken - There aren’t any meats that are red, white and blue – and if you see some, you probably shouldn’t eat them. But your picnic can still feature a great meat dish. Chicken is a great choice because it’s easy to eat with fingers, not too greasy, and a healthy lean meat. And it’s delicious and popular cold, perfect for being outside at a picnic. Try it baked, grilled and fried.

Dessert - This is where you can really let your colors show. Some ideas include patriotic parfaits, a patriotic sundae, or red, white and blue ice creams or sorbets. Won’t be using a cooler? Try making a blueberry cobbler topped with strawberries and whipped cream, or bite-size cheesecake squares with blueberries and pitted cherries.

[via Happy Green Mama]