Big Game, Big Ideas.

I love to watch all kinds of sports, especially football.  I also love to make great game food, especially on Big Game Days like this past Sunday for Superbowl 45.  This year we went to someone else's house to watch the game.  We had pizza and I brought a big salad, and some low fat cupcakes- nobody even knew.

But if I had stayed home and hosted the game, here's what I would have served:

Turkey Meatball Marinara Sandwich

I start by making a batch of the Turkey Parmesan Meatloaf found in the Weight Watchers Momentum cook book, but instead of forming it into a loaf, I form them into 16 meatballs.  Each meatball is 2.5 points.  These not only taste divine, but they are so versatile.  I can put a tbsp of bbq sauce on them and serve them as meatloaf (for a complete meal add a baked potato and a steamed vegetable).  I can simmer them in marinara sauce and serve them over whole wheat spaghetti noodles for a Spaghetti and Meatball dinner, or I can serve them up on a toasted sandwich roll with onions, peppers, marinara and mozzarella, sound good?  Here's the recipe:

Turkey Parmesan Meatballs:

1 tbsp. olive oil

1 medium onion, finely chopped

1 1/4 lbs. ground skinless turkey (I use one 20 oz. pkg of Jenny O extra lean ground turkey)

4 slice whole wheat bread, made into fine crumbs

1/2 cup fat free milk

1 egg white, lightly beaten

3 tbsp. ketchup

2 tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese

1 tsp. minced fresh garlic

1/2 tsp dried basil

1/4 tsp. dried thyme

1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a 9x13 inch glass baking dish with healthy oil spray.  In a small non-stick skillet, heat the olive oil and saute the onion until tender, 4-5 minutes.

In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well by hand.  Shape into 16 equally sized meatballs and transfer to pan.  Bake about 22-24 minutes.  Let stand for a few minutes, then serve.

For Meatball Marinara Sandwich:

Spray a non-stick skillet with healthy oil spray.  Cook 1/4 of a bell pepper sliced, and 1/4 of an onion, sliced with a tsp. of minced garlic.  When tender, add in two meatballs (halved) and 1/2 cup of marinara sauce and simmer for a few minutes.  Meanwhile, toast an Orowheat sandwich thin (or desired whole wheat bread roll).  When toasted, layer on meatballs (split side down) top with onions, peppers, and marinara, and 2 tbsp of shredded low fat mozzarella cheese.  11 points of total yum!



Or I'd serve Pepperoni Pizzas on Pitas.  These are so good!



Pita Pepperoni Pizzas

Pre-heat your oven to 425 degrees.

1 whole wheat Alternative Pita (by Western Baking Co, 3 pts)

2 tbsp. pizza sauce (I like the Trader Joe's brand best, 1 pt.)

1 tbsp. sliced black olives

4 white mushrooms, sliced

2 tbsp. sliced onions

8 slices of low fat turkey pepperoni (I like Gallo or Hormel best, 8 slices for 1 point)

1/4 low fat shredded mozzarella cheese (2 pts)

Assemble pizza and bake on a wire rack for about 10 minutes.  Crust will be crisp and cheese will be browned.  Cut into four pieces and enjoy.  I make this a complete meal by serving with a green salad.

Enjoy one of these and you're sure to be a winner not only on game day, but at your next weigh in!