Super-Fast and Easy Appetizer Recipes

It's that time of year when even nonfootball enthusiasts gather around the television for a few hours to watch a predictably spectacular football game (and half-time show) … satisfaction guaranteed.

If only we could say the same for the often super-caloric Super Bowl party food!

But this year you can have your Super Bowl appetizers and eat lighter, too. Check out our four appetizer recipes, each of which you can whip up in five minutes or less. You'll be in and out of the kitchen in a flash, with nary a touchdown or pass completion missed.

Super Bowl Ranch Dip and Veggies

Journal 1/2 cup of dip as: 1 serving of plain low-fat yogurt.
Journal each 1/2 cup of veggies as: 1 serving of vegetables without added fat.

You can add food coloring to this dip to show which team you are rooting for!

1 envelope Hidden Valley Ranch Dip (1 ounce)
16-ounce container fat free (or light) sour cream (my favorite is Naturally Yours Fat Free)
Assorted raw veggies: Try baby carrots, celery sticks, zucchini coins, jicama sticks, cherry tomatoes

• Mix the ranch packet with 16 ounces of sour cream. If you have time, refrigerate dip for one hour before serving, to thicken and blend flavors.
• Serve with assorted raw veggies.

Makes 8 servings of dip.

Per 1/2 cup of ranch dip served with fresh veggies (1/2 cup carrot sticks, 1/2 cup celery sticks and 4 cherry tomatoes): 180 calories, 9 g protein, 34 g carbs, 0.4 g fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 4 g fiber, 900 mg sodium (because of the ranch powder). Calories from fat 2 percent.

Football in a Blanket Bites

Journal 2 Bites as:1 slice of bread + 1 teaspoon of butter or margarine + 1/2 serving of lean meat/moderate-fat meat without added fat.

Serve these with ketchup, mustard, or even BBQ sauce!

1 can refrigerated reduced-fat crescent rolls
About five lower-fat turkey franks (such as bun-length Louis Rich)

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Unroll roll dough; separate into eight triangles. Cut each triangle in half to make two triangles.
• Cut each hot dog into three pieces, about 2 inches each (depending on the length of the hot dog)
• Place each hot dog piece in the center of one of the small triangles of dough and wrap the dough around the hot dog. Place on nonstick baking sheet. Repeat with remaining crescent dough and turkey franks.
• Bake for 11 to 13 minutes or until dough is golden brown.

Makes 16 Bites (8 servings).

Shrimp Taco Dip

Journal 1 serving of dip as: 1 serving lean fish + 1 teaspoon fat.
Journal 4 low-fat crackers (16 grams) as: 1 serving low-fat crackers; Journal 1 ounce of reduced-fat tortilla chips as 1 serving regular crackers.