Skinny Super Bowl Snacks: Buffalo Wings with Bleu Cheese Dipping Sauce

If I had to choose only one snack to eat for the Super Bowl (or any other football game, for that matter), it would be Buffalo wings. I want them to be crispy and smothered in a sauce on the hotter side of the Scoville scale. I want to cool them off by dunking them into a pool of Bleu cheese dip. I want an endless mountain of fresh cut carrots and celery to snack on while my mouth is cooling off in between wings. Luckily, these taste just as good baked as they do fried, and are quick and easy to make.

Skinny Buffalo Wings

Serving Size: 2 wings

WW PointsPlus Value: 5

2-3 lbs chicken wings and drumettes

1/2 cup Buffalo style hot sauce (I used Frank's Red Hot)

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

• Season wings with salt and pepper, then broil for 10 minutes per side, until outsides are crispy and juices run clear. Toss in hot sauce, and serve while still hot with dipping sauce (recipe follows).

Skinny Bleu Cheese Dipping Sauce

Serving Size: 1/4 cup

WW PointsPlus Value: 2

1/2 cup nonfat Greek yogurt

1/4 cup Blue cheese, crumbled

1 Tablespoon mayo

Salt to taste

Directions:

• Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Serve with Buffalo wings and lots of fresh carrots and celery to dip.

Skinny Super Bowl Snacks: Spinach Artichoke Dip

With the Super Bowl coming up this weekend, I thought I'd post some healthy makeovers of classic football snacks. Most food served at Super Bowl parties is far from "skinny," so if you're having a party of your own, make sure to keep plenty of healthy snacks on hand. If you plan on attending a party, make one or two healthy snacks to bring, and make sure to eat a meal before heading over. You'll be more likely to overeat if you're hungry...especially after a couple beers.

This is a great dip which I like to make when I have people over. It's packed with healthy spinach and artichoke, but it's creamy and cheesy. Every time I make this, it disappears. I would serve this with multigrain tortilla chips or pita chips and fresh cut veggies.

Skinny Spinach Artichoke Dip

Serving Size: 1/4 cup

WW PointsPlus Value: 2

1/2 lb fresh spinach

2 cans quartered artichoke hearts in water (not oil), drained

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus 1/4 cup for topping

1/2 cup lowfat sour cream

4 oz lowfat cream cheese

salt, pepper, and red crushed pepper flakes to taste

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook garlic and spinach over medium-high heat in a saucepan until spinach wilts. Remove from heat, and add remaining ingredients, except for 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
• Spoon spinach artichoke mixture into an oven-safe baking dish and top with remaining cheese.
• Cook 25 minutes, or until cheese is browned and bubbly. Remove and let cool 5 minutes before serving