I Can Practially Taste Them Now!
This post is a perfect follow-up to the last post about the number of calories in popular Super Bowl Snacks. We’ve seen what we definitely DON’T want to do, so now let’s see something we DO want to do. If you’re as crazy about pecans as I am, you’re already drooling.
Instead of celebrating the Super Bowl with the usual fried wings, dips and chips that may have unhealthy saturated or trans fats, try a few fan-friendly snacks made with heart healthy pecans.
Super Bowl snacks don’t need to be unhealthy to be good.
“Whether you’re tailgating, going to a big party or watching the Super Bowl at home this year, try working pecans into your menu,” says Vickie Mabry, National Pecan Shellers Association (NPSA) executive director. “Pecans have a hearty, meaty texture that works great in recipes or eaten alone. They will stay with you longer than other high carb snacks and make an ideal snack choice for everyone, including kids.”
Pecans can be a heart healthy benefit to any dish when enjoyed as part of a healthy eating pattern. They play a role in reducing the risk of heart disease because they have an abundance of “good” heart healthy fats. These unsaturated fats can have a protective effect by lowering total blood cholesterol when eaten in moderation. Pecans contain no cholesterol and no trans-fat. Save time and money by purchasing pecans that are already chopped. They have the same nutritional value plus convenience.
So swap your usual football fare for heart healthy recipes made with pecans to overtly (or covertly) present healthier options during the game. Here are a few suggestions from the NPSA*
Brown Butter Roasted Nuts
Makes six to eight small portions
2 oz. butter
2 c. pecans (or other nuts)
1/8 c. honey
1 tsp. kosher salt
½ tsp. ground sumac or paprika (optional)
1 lg. sprig rosemary, destemmed
1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. In a large saute pan over moderate heat, melt butter and begin to brown.
3. Once the butter is browned and smells strong and nutty, add the rest of the ingredients; stir to coat everything evenly.
4. Transfer mixture to oven-proof pan; bake for about 10 minutes or until completely toasted.
5. Drain onto a paper towel and serve once cool.
Crab Tacos with Corn, Pecan and Avocado
Serves 6
8 oz. crabmeat
10 grape or cherry tomatoes, quartered
½ cup drained canned corn
¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
½ green bell pepper, seeded and finely chopped
¼ cup fresh lime juice
2 to 3 Tablespoon chopped pickled jalapeno
2 Tablespoon pickling liquid from jalapenos
1 Tablespoon finely chopped cilantro
1 ripe avocado
¼ teaspoon salt
2/3 cup pecan halves, toasted
6 corn taco shells
Several hours or day before serving, combine crabmeat, tomatoes, corn, red onion, bell pepper, lime juice, pickled jalapenos and their liquid, and the cilantro in a medium bowl. Mix well, cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight. Just before serving, stir pecans into crab mixture. Peel and pit avocado; mash with salt to form a paste. Spread a thin layer of avocado paste inside each taco shell. Fill shells with crab mixture and serve.
More Healthy Super Bowl Snacks Starring Pecans!
Emeril Lagasse’s Pecan Crusted Chicken Fingers
Regardless of who wins the game, you’ll score points among your fellow fans with these healthy Super Bowl snacks. For more recipes using pecans, visit www.ilovepecans.org or visit us on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter!
ABOUT THE NATIONAL PECANS SHELLERS ASSOCIATION
The National Pecan Shellers Association (NPSA), a non-profit trade association, is committed to educating culinary and health professionals, food technologists and the general public about the nutritional benefits, variety of uses and all around great taste of pecans. For more information on the health benefits of pecans and where to find them, visit www.ilovepecans.org.
