I have great memories of family gatherings filled with good eats, laughter, and football. There is something about the sound of a game that makes me feel all cozy and happy inside. Today was college football day, and I got to relax and cook all day. It was awesome! And I made it healthy!

Introducing healthy nachos:

-Baked tortilla chips
-a little Mexican cheese
-black beans
-jalepenos

Baked at 400 degrees until cheese is melty. Top with diced tomatoes and scallions, and served with low fat sour cream and salsa. Whoop, whoop, healthy football food!

Next up, healthy buffalo chicken:

-2 chicken breasts cut in chunks
-whole wheat panko bread crumbs
-whole wheat flour
-1 egg
-cayenne pepper
-paprika
-Franks hot sauce

You need 3 dipping stations, or 2 if you do the double flour dip. I tried both ways. We’ll call them original and extra crispy.

In the first container put whole wheat flour seasoned with a little salt, pepper, Paprika and cayenne pepper.

Next container, beat one egg with a splash of water and Franks hot sauce.

Last container, whole wheat panko bread crumbs with salt, pepper, paprika, and cayenne pepper.

For the extra crispy, dip in flour, shake off excess, then dip in egg wash, then cover in bread crumbs. For the original recipe, dip in flour, then egg, then back in flour. Place on baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

In the meantime, mix 1 tablespoon of melted butter with a half cup of Franks Hot sauce. When chicken is done, toss in sauce and serve with carrots, celery and yogurt blue cheese dressing. Or jut eat the chicken without the hot sauce. It tasted just like fried chicken, no joke!

And for some not so healthy football treats. Chocolate Macadamia Chewies.

Chocolate Macadamia Chewies

Ingredients:

-3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks butter or margarine, softened (*tip: if you forget to get it out of the fridge earlier to soften, pop it in the microwave on defrost for about 45 seconds)
-2/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
-1 large egg
-1 teaspoon vanilla extract
-1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
-3/4 teaspoon baking soda
-1/4 teaspoon salt
-3/4 cup (3 1/2 ounces) coarsely chopped macadamia nuts (*tip, buy just what you need in the bulk bins if you can)
-1/2 cup shredded coconut
-1 3/4 cups M&M’s chocolate mini baking bits

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy; beat in egg and vanilla.

In medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt; blend into creamed mixture. Blend in nuts and coconut. Stir in M&M’s.

Drop by heaping spoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheet; flatten slightly with back of spoon (or fingers).

Bake 8 minutes or until set. Do not overbake. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet; cool completely on wire racks (if you don’t have them, aluminum foil or a large cutting board will do just fine).

Store in tightly covered container. Or your favorite cookie jar that has been around since your childhood:

Every one will love these cookies, even your kitties:

Beware of the food coma:

What a blessed day! I made new comforting memories and lots of delicious goodies!