Healthy Super Bowl Appetizers

Nothing can sabotage a New Year's Eve resolution to lose weight like a Super Bowl party. With a standard menu of chicken wings, cheesy nachos and beer, it's easy to fall off the healthy-eating wagon. To help you eat better during the Big Game, here are some healthy Super Bowl recipes that are short on calories but long on flavor! A bonus- these recipes can be made a day or two in advance of your Super Bowl party.

Sweet and Savory Chicken Bites (adapted from a Cooking Light recipe).

Honey and ginger add plenty of flavor to these tasty appetizers, making them a great alternative to chicken wings or fried chicken tenders. Marinating the chicken at least a couple of hours (overnight is best) before cooking is key to their savory and exotic taste that will rival your favorite Chinese food take-out.

Ingredients:
2/3 cup of honey
2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
2 teaspoons sesame oil
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 ¼ pounds skinless, boneless, chicken thighs (approximately 16 thighs) cut into bite sized pieces
Salt and pepper to taste
2 teaspoons cornstarch

Directions:

1. Mix first eight ingredients together in a mixing bowl. Pour marinade into a large plastic Ziploc bag. Add chicken. Let marinate at least two hours. Turn occasionally.

2. Preheat oven to 425° degrees.

3. Line a baking sheet with foil and coat with cooking spray. Remove chicken from bag (save marinade) and arrange on a sheet and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for 20 minutes, stirring once.

4. While chicken cooks, heat marinade in sauce pan, bringing to a boil.

5. Mix cornstarch with just enough water to make a smooth paste. Add to marinade and cook for one minute. Remove from heat and pour glaze into a large bowl.

6. Toss cooked chicken pieces into the marinade bowl, coating well.

7. Return to oven and cook additional five minutes.

Makes about 12 servings (1 ½ ounces each) with 179 calories and 4.4 grams of fat per serving.

Quick Corn and Black Bean Salsa

This is such and easy and tasty Super Bowl recipe, you'll want to make it year round! Make it a day or two in advance to let the flavors meld. If you want to spice things up, throw in diced jalapeno peppers for added kick.

Ingredients:
15 oz can black beans (rinsed and drained)
15 oz can whole kernel corn (rinsed and drained)
16 oz jar of your favorite salsa

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl. Chill and serve with baked tortilla chips or fresh veggies. Viola!

Traditional Hummus

If you have shied away from hummus because you aren't a big fan of chic peas, think again! Roasted red peppers and kalimata olives give this recipe extra flavor. With less than 50 calories a serving, you can eat it guilt free!

Ingredients:
¼ cup chopped roasted red peppers
¼ cup kalimata olives (pitted)
2 teaspoons olive oil
¼ teaspoon salt
2 cloves fresh garlic
15 oz can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

Directions:
Place all ingredients in a good processor and process until smooth. Serve with pita chips, fresh vegetables or baked chips.

Makes about 1 ½ cups. Serving size is 2 tablespoons with 49 calories and 1.3 grams of fat per serving.