Super snacks to make Superbowl XLV super tasty

When Superbowl XLV (45) kicks off Sunday, Feb. 6 at the Dallas Cowboy’s stadium in Arlington, Texas, football enthusiasts around the world will be tuned in for the action.

As we all know, Superbowl Sunday is a time for fun and flavorful snacks to accompany the entertainment of the game.

With consumers becoming more and more health conscious, listed below are some recipes shared by Weight Watchers (PointsPlus program) for those who might want to lighten up the snacks they offer to friends and family.

Spicy Beef Tacos

Prep time: 12 minutes

Servings: 4 (total 8 tacos)

Ingredients:

Non-stick cooking spray

2 medium-sized cloves fresh garlic, minced

¾ lb. uncooked lean ground beef (7 percent fat or less)

1½ tsp. ground cumin

1½ tsp. ground coriander

¾ tsp. salt (or to taste)

1½ cup canned, diced tomatoes with jalapenos or green chiles

8 small corn tortillas, lightly toasted just before serving if desired

2 cups shredded lettuce

½ cup low-fat shredded cheddar cheese, sharp variety

1/3 cup salsa of choice

Directions:

Coat a large skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium-high heat. Add garlic; cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30 seconds to one minute. Add beef; cook until browned, breaking up meat as it cooks, five to six minutes. Add cumin, coriander, salt, and diced tomatoes; cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid is almost absorbed, five to six minutes.

Place tortillas on a flat surface. Top each with about 1/4 cup beef, 1/4 cup lettuce, 1 tablespoon cheese and 2 teaspoons salsa. Fold tortillas in half and serve.

To toast tortillas, coat a baking sheet with cooking spray and place tortillas on top and coat with cooking spray. Heat in 300 degree oven until slightly crisp, but not so they break when folded.

Creamy Mexican Dip

Prep time: 10 min

Servings: 8 servings (total 2 cups)

Ingredients:

1 cup plain fat-free yogurt (Greek recommended)

½ cup salsa, hot chipotle variety suggested

½ medium-sized avocado, diced

1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

¼ cup red onions, chopped

½ tsp. ground cumin seed

½ tsp. salt (or more to taste)

Garnish:

¼ medium-sized avocado, diced

1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped

1 tablespoon red onion, chopped

Directions:

In a medium-sized bowl, stir together yogurt and salsa until blended. Stir in remaining ingredients except garnishes. Cover and refrigerate up to one day.

When ready to serve, transfer to serving bowl and sprinkle with garnishes.

This dip combines all those favorite Mexican flavors like salsa, avocado and cilantro using fat-free Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.

It also makes a wonderful topping for tacos or other Mexican foods — which saves having to set out separate bowls of salsa, sour cream, avocado, cilantro and onion.

Serve with fresh vegetables as well as chips to please everyone in the crowd.

Chipotle Bean Nachos

Prep time: 10 minutes

Servings: 4 (Total of 20 chips with topping)

Ingredients:

Non-stick cooking spray

1 tsp. canola cooking oil

1 medium shallot or 1 small onion, finely chopped

1 clove fresh garlic, minced

1-15 ounce can kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1/8 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. chili powder, chipotle variety (or more to taste)

20 pieces baked, low-fat tortilla chips

7 tablespoons low-fat shredded cheddar cheese, sharp variety

1/3 cup salsa

3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, minced, plus extra leaves for garnish

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400ºF. Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Heat oil over medium heat; then add shallot and garlic.

Cook while stirring frequently until shallots become tender, usually about five minutes. Add beans, salt and chili powder; mash with back of spoon or potato masher to make a pulpy mixture. Remove from heat; set aside.

Place tortilla chips on a rimmed baking sheet, spoon bean mixture over top and sprinkle with cheese. Bake until cheese melts, about three minutes. Remove from oven and spoon salsa over top; immediately sprinkle with cilantro.

Note: Turn the bean mixture into a super dip by thinning it out with chicken broth and sprinkling low-fat cheddar cheese on top.

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