4 Last Minute Game Day Treats
Every decade or so my beloved Chicago Bears get to play in February. Not this year. Still, it's an excuse to get together. Looking for some new recipes for the big game? Check out a few of my favorites. Some are keto-friendly, others are more of a splurge, but all are pretty easy and yummy.
Keto-Friendly Fried Chicken Nuggets
This is so good, you won't believe it is low carb.
Ingredients:
3 chicken breast, cut into cubes
2 eggs beaten
Coconut flour (enough to dredge, start with half a cup and add more if you run out)
1 bag pork rinds (same as the coconut flour--just crush as much as you need to cover all the nuggets)
Instructions:
Dredge the tenders in the beaten egg, then in the coconut flour, then in the crushed pork rinds. Fry in a few tablespoons of oil until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F, just a few minutes. You will need to do this in batches and make sure your oil doesn't get too hot.
DIPPING SAUCE:
Mix together:
1/2 cup mayo
1/2 mashed avacodo
1/2 tsp chili flakes
2 tsp lime juice
1/4 tsp garlic powder
Mini Sausage Quiches
This is one of my go-to party recipes. Everyone loves them.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter, softened
3 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 cup flour
1/2 pound Italian sausage (my recipe calls for Bob Evans Italian Roll sausage)
1 cup (4 oz) shredded Swiss cheese
2 eggs
1 cup half-and-half
1/4 tsp salt
Dash cayenne pepper
Instructions:
Beat butter and cream cheese till creamy. Blend in flour. Refrigerate about an hour. Roll into 24 (1-inch) balls; press each into mini muffin cup. Preheat oven to 375°F.
To prepare filling, crumble sausage into skillet. Cook over medium heat till browned, stirring occasionally. Drain off any drippings. Sprinkle evenly into pastry shells in muffin cups. Sprinkle with Swiss cheese. Whisk eggs, half-and-half, salt and cayenne until blended. Pour over sausage in pastry shells.
Bake 20-30 minutes until set. Remove from pan and serve.
Buffalo Chicken Dip
Another keto-friendly recipe when you are looking for a little spice.
Ingredients:
8 oz cream cheese (softened)
1/2 cup ranch dressing
1/2 to 1 cup buffalo sauce (I say go HOT!)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups shredded chicken breast (throw some breasts in a crock pot if you have time or buy a rotisserie chicken)
1 cup sour cream
Celery sticks, carrot chips, crackers, pita squares for dipping
Instructions:
In a saucepan prepared with non-stick cooking spray, melt cream cheese, ranch, buffalo sauce and cheese. When melted, add in the chicken. Remove from heat and add the sour cream. Mix it all together well. Taste, and add more buffalo sauce as needed!
Serve with cut up veggies or crackers.
Photo & recipe courtesy of The Diary of a Real Housewife.
Cookie Butter Pretzel Dip
This stuff is seriously scary and definitely NOT keto-friendly. Don't say I didn't warn you.
Ingredients:
8 oz cream cheese (softened)
1/2 cup cookie butter or Biscoff spread
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 Tbsp. powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients and blend until smooth. Serve with pretzels, crackers, apples slices, or your favorite dippers.
Photo and recipe courtesy of Lemon Tree Dwelling.
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