A healthy meal for Bowl Game viewing

It’s going to be (yet) another sports weekend in our house – outdoor activities and must-watch sporting events. To create a festive mood for game time, I’m making a taco salad for dinner – it’s healthy, delicious, low-fat and quick. This recipe can be doubled or tripled to feed a crowd for a Bowl Game Party. Thankfully, taco salad combines many of my favorite snack items so I’ll be less tempted by chips and dip…

Quick and Healthy Taco Salad

4 servings

Ingredients

• 12 ounces ground round or lean turkey
• 2 cups chopped yellow, red, or green bell pepper (or 1 medium onion, diced)
• 2 cups bottled salsa
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 4 cups coarsely chopped romaine lettuce
• 2 cups chopped plum tomato
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup crumbled baked tortilla chips (about 12 chips)
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions
• Optional toppings – low fat sour cream, pickled or fresh jalapenos, additional salsa, diced avocado, or guacamole

Preparation

1. Cook meat and bell pepper or onion in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until meat is browned; stir to crumble. Add salsa; bring to a boil. Stir in cilantro; keep warm.
2. Place 1 cup lettuce on each of 4 plates; top with 1 cup meat mixture. Sprinkle each serving with 1/2 cup tomato, 1/4 cup cheese, 1/4 cup chips, and 1 tablespoon onions.

For vegetarian guests, pan cook tilapia fillets (about 3- 4 minutes/side) on medium-high, remove from pan; keep warm. Sauté some diced onions for 5 minutes until soft then stir in some salsa, bring to a boil. Place lettuce on the plate, 3 oz of fish, generous ladle of onion salsa mixture, and other toppings.

Serving suggestion for a crowd – create a taco bar: Set out plates or bowls with the lettuce and meat and invite your guests to top their own taco salad.

Any suggestions for a healthy, delicious and low fat dessert for half-time?

Recipe inspiration: Cooking Light, October, 1999 myrecipes.com; Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Mama Says: There is no reason to order a pizza when you can whip-up a thrifty, quick and tasty meal in minutes. Ask a friend prepare the toppings while you saute the meat and salsa.