Maple Bacon Popcorn

I can report that I've been to some of the most cosmopolitan movie theater houses in the nation, and by far this recipe for maple bacon popcorn surpasses any seasonings and flavored butter popcorn bar out there!  If you enjoy mixing salty snacks with sweet treats, this snack is sure to satisfy your taste buds on all levels, not to mention it has BACON! Perfect for Romantic Movie Nights, Poker Parties and I enjoy this with my Posh Super Bowl Menu. 

Ingredients:

Bag of preferred microwaveable popcorn 

2-3 slices of bacon

2-3 tbsp. pure maple syrup
Salt to taste

1. Cook slices of bacon, reserve 2-3 tbsp. of the bacon grease.
2. Microwave bag of popcorn per bag instructions/ microwave settings.
3. Transfer popped popcorn to bowl.
4. Crumble bacon strips into popcorn bowl (add salt as desired), toss popcorn to mix in bacon at all levels.
5. Mix reserved bacon grease with maple syrup (in a coffee mug), and using a spoon drizzle the mixture all over the popcorn.
6. Toss popcorn one more time to evenly distribute the mixture and serve.

Lisa's Easy Tzatziki

Tzatziki is a Greek condiment used as an accompaniment for grilled meats and vegetables and a wonderful, healthy alternative to most dips and salad dressings.  It's ingredients are perfect for summertime dishes and is a staple I use in My Big, (Low) Fat Greek Meal Prep menu.

Ingredients - makes about 2 1/2 cups

1/2 cucumber, peeled, end removed, finely shredded

2 cups zero fat, plain Greek yogurt

1/2 lemon, squeezed fresh juice

3 tbsp. garlic paste

1 tsp. dill

Salt (optional) to taste 

1. Mix all ingredients until mixture is smooth and well blended...Enjoy!

Healthy Peanut Butter Wrap with Apple

This is a healthy wrap I use for breakfast because it's a perfect balance of fruit, healthy fats, protein and fiber.  I don't personally eat a lot of fruit except in the mornings, but this can also be a well balanced lunch or afternoon snack that will boost your energy.  The trick is finding the low carb tortillas.  When I say low carb, what you want is high fiber.  The carb count is not all that different, but the high fiber counteracts the carbs you ingest.

Includes Nuts

Calories-480 | Total Fat-21g | Trans fats-0g | Saturated Fats- 21g | Polyunsaturated Fats-6.5g | Monounsaturated Fats-8.5g | Carbohydrates- 57g | Fiber-31g | Protein-17g | Sugars-8g | Sodium-615mg

Ingredients:
1 low carb tortilla
2 tbsp. natural peanut butter
1/2 apple, thinly sliced
1 tbsp. raisins

1. Spread peanut butter over on 1/2 side of the tortilla.
2. Cover the peanut butter side with the apple slices.
3. Sprinkle raisins on top.
4. Fold, and cut in half.

Healthy Peanut Butter Wrap with Banana

This is a healthy wrap I use for breakfast because it's a perfect balance of fruit, healthy fats, protein and fiber.  I don't personally eat a lot of fruit except in the mornings, but this can also be a well balanced lunch or afternoon snack that will boost your energy.  The trick is finding the low carb tortillas.  When I say low carb, what you want is high fiber.  The carb count is not all that different, but the high fiber counteracts the carbs you ingest.

Includes Nuts

Calories-536 | Total Fat-21g | Trans fats-0g | Saturated Fats- 5g | Polyunsaturated Fats-6.5g | Monounsaturated Fats-8.5g | Carbohydrates- 68g | Fiber-32g | Protein-21g | Sugars-3g | Sodium-625.5mg

Ingredients:
1 low carb tortilla
2 tbsp. natural peanut butter
1 banana
1 tbsp. Manuka honey

1. Spread peanut butter over on 1/2 side of the tortilla.
2. Slice the banana into thin slices and cover the peanut butter side.
3. Drizzle with honey over the banana slices.
4. Fold, and cut in half.

Tip: If you are taking this as a to-go breakfast or snack, I recommend carrying honey in a separate container or baggie, until you are ready to eat.  Otherwise it will run all over the place after some time.

Lisa: All Hail to Peanut Butter!

'MACHOS' Jalapeno Stuffed Boneless Buffalo Wings

I was so fortunate to be in my home state of Colorado during Superbowl 50, cheering on the Broncos for the Super Bowl this year.  Although I did my best to lay a neutral table spread, I have to always root for the Broncos.  This year, my Super Bowl spread and menu consisted of Deviled Eggs (which I couldn't keep people away from to get a full dish for the picture), a 7-layer Dip (made to look like the football field), Crack Potatoes, Football Sliders, and some really cool blue tortilla chips (these looked amazing, but had so much food coloring in them, we ultimately got rid of them as we felt they were that unhealthy...but of course we ate the Cheetos balls)!!!  While there is nothing special about most of the recipes included in my spread, my creation of 'MACHOS' Jalapeno Stuffed Boneless Buffalo Wings was unique, to the best of my knowledge.  And it combined two great Super Bowl snack favorites: Boneless Buffalo Chicken Wings and Jalapeno Poppers.  I'm excited to share this exclusive dish made for the discriminating pallet (albeit spicy pallet) of the American Football Fan.  I am posting this after the fact, but I hope it becomes a staple at your gatherings this 2016 - 2017 football season.

'Wing" Ingredients:

1 lbs. ground chicken

1 package low-fat cream cheese/ Neufchatel cheese

3/4 cup marinated jalapenos (medium to hot spicy) minced or to be truly 'Machos' fresh jalapenos (very spicy) minced

3/4 cup tequila

1 egg

1/2 cup onion minced

1/2 cup bread crumbs/ panko crumbs/ cracker crumbs

Salt & Pepper to taste

Garlic Powder & Red Pepper Flakes to taste

Sauce Ingredients:

1/4 cup vinegar (can be flavored or not)

4 tbsp. melted butter

2 tbsp. hot sauce

1 tbsp. ketchup

1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

2 tsp. low-sodium soy sauce

2 tsp. Chipotle-flavor spicy mustard 

1/4 tsp. garlic power

1/4 tsp. onion powder

1/4 tsp. cumin

cayenne pepper to taste 

Optional/ Recommended: 

Serve with celery sticks and blue cheese dressing.

Prep (suggested night before or 4-6 hours prior to making dish will also work)

1. Let package low-fat cream cheese/ Neufchatel cheese soften
2. Mix tequila, cheese and diced jalapenos thoroughly
3. Roll into 1/2 size desired meatball size and refrigerate.

Making the 'Wings'

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. 
2. In a large bowl, combine all wing ingredients except the cream cheese, jalapeno balls; mix well.
3. Divide mixture into meatballs (we prefer large meatballs, and I find that easier to stuff, but you can adjust according to preference). 
4. Form each meatball around a cream cheese, jalapeno ball, making sure to cover cheese completely. Place on prepared baking sheet. 
5. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until no longer pink in center. 
6. Mix all 'Sauce' ingredients together in a bowl.
7. Roll and drench each cooked meatball in sauce and serve (possibly with water or milk...)