It's Game Day, Baby: Crowd-Pleasing Football Food That's Top 8 Free!
Football season... it's the perfect recipe for fun! Friends, fall weather, a big game and... food. Of course it's that last part that gets a little tricky for food allergy families, but the best way to ensure that your crew stays safe and fully enjoys the party is to come with some delicious dishes of your own in hand.
Enter three of my family's favorite recipes that are absolute crowd pleasers on game day! In fact, this is exactly what we had for dinner over the weekend at our house while watching football. The best news is that these dishes can either be served together or on their own.
Also, they...
are free of the top 8 most common allergens (NO dairy, wheat, eggs, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish)
consist of whole foods - there is absolutely nothing out of a bag or box here!
are easy to prepare
are easy to share
do not involve large ingredient lists
can serve as a main course or appetizer
So, please don't let football season get away from you without giving these plates of yum a try! I promise you'll never go to a party empty-handed again after making them (because your friends won't let you).
Honey-Lime Chicken Wings
2 lbs chicken wings
1/2 cup olive oil
1-2 tablespoons honey
juice of one lime
1 teaspoon minced garlic
salt and pepper, to taste
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, honey, lime juice and garlic until well combined; set aside. Sprinkle chicken wings liberally with salt and pepper. Put wings in a large, gallon ziplock bag and pour oil mixture into bag, covering the wings. Close bag and shake it until wings are well coated with oil mixture. Heat grill or oven to 375 degrees and cook for approximately 30 minutes, or until meat thermometer registers at 165 degrees.
The flavor of these wings is just perfect. It's the hint of sweet with the tart of the lime that make them so special. And, they are totally kid-friendly because they aren't spicy like other types of wings. It' a perfect mild, yet flavorful, choice.
Homemade Sweet Potato Fries
2 medium sweet potatoes
olive oil (2-3 tablespoons)
salt and peper, to taste
optional: paprika or cinnamon for sprinkling
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Cut sweet potatoes in half, then slice them into rectangular "french fry" slices. Put slices in a large bowl and drizzle oil on top; toss until well-coated (and add more olive oil to fully coat, if necessary). Evenly distribute fries on a large baking sheet and sprinkle with salt and pepper, to taste. If you would like to add a little extra flavor, consider sprinkling paprika and/or cinnamon, as well. Bake for approximately 20-30 minutes, or until fries are soft in the inside, yet crispy on the outside.
What makes these fries so versatile is the fact that you can dip them in just about anything: ketchup, BBQ sauce, allergy-safe dressing, or... guacamole! Listen, if you do not try dipping these fries in guacamole, you will totally miss out on some serious plant-based, vitamin-packed goodness. Try it once, and you'll serve it that way every time thereafter. I promise!
Guacamole Dip
2 ripe avocados
2 tablespoons red onion, chopped
2 tablespoons cilantro, finely chopped
the juice of 1/2-1 lime
salt and pepper, to taste
Cut open avocados, take out pits, and scoop pulp unto a small bowl. Use a fork to mash pulp until relatively smooth. Stir in red onion, cilantro and lime juice until well combined. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Serve with tortilla chips; cut-up veggies like carrots, celery, peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes; or the sweet potato fries you've just made!
Here's to a football season full of games that have you on the edge of your seat and food that safely fills the tummies of everyone at the party. Enjoy!
