Pecans headline Heart Healthy Recipes for Super Bowl

These just came in, and I thought I'd share.  Be sure to make all the appropriate gluten-free adaptations needed (like bread crumbs in the chicken fingers -- easy to do!) I love pecans, so I know these will make it to the recipe box!

In fact, I have two bags of freshly shelled pecans in my fridge....hmmmmm. 

Thanks you to my friends at the National Pecan Shellers Association (http://www.ilovepecans.org/).

xoxo

GING

Reprinted from the email:

PECANS SERVE UP A HEART HEALTHY ALTERNATIVE TO TRADITIONAL SUPERBOWL SNACKS

The Super Bowl is right around the corner and instead of celebrating with the usual fried wings, dips and chips that may have unhealthy saturated or trans fats, try a few fan-friendly snacks made with heart healthy pecans.

Super Bowl snacks don’t need to be unhealthy to be good.  While the guys probably won’t welcome vegetables and hummus, there are great recipes that will taste great and incorporate ingredients that will give your Super Bowl treats a healthy boost. 

“Whether you’re tailgating, going to a big party or watching the Super Bowl at home this year, try working pecans into your menu,” says Vickie Mabry, National Pecan Shellers Association (NPSA) executive director.  “Pecans have a hearty, meaty texture that works great in recipes or eaten alone.  They will stay with you longer than other high carb snacks and make an ideal snack choice for everyone, including kids.”

Pecans can be a heart healthy benefit to any dish when enjoyed as part of a healthy eating pattern. They play a role in reducing the risk of heart disease because they have an abundance of “good” heart healthy fats.  These unsaturated fats can have a protective effect by lowering total blood cholesterol when eaten in moderation.  Pecans contain no cholesterol and no trans-fat. Save time and money by purchasing pecans that are already chopped.  They have the same nutritional value plus convenience.

So swap your usual football fare for heart healthy recipes made with pecans to overtly (or covertly) present healthier options during the game. Here are a few suggestions from the NPSA*:

·         Karen Hatfield's Sweet and Salty Brown Butter Roasted Pecans

·         Crab Tacos with Corn, Pecan and Avocado

·         Turkey Pecan Enchiladas

·         Emeril Lagasse’s Pecan Crusted Chicken Fingers

·         Pecan Orange Slaw

·         Pecan Banana Bread

Regardless of who wins the game, you’ll score points among your fellow fans with these healthy Super Bowl snacks. For more recipes using pecans, visit www.ilovepecans.org or visit us on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter!

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PECANS SHELLERS ASSOCIATION
The National Pecan Shellers Association (NPSA), a non-profit trade association, is committed to educating culinary and health professionals, food technologists and the general public about the nutritional benefits, variety of uses and all around great taste of pecans. For more information on the health benefits of pecans and where to find them, visit www.ilovepecans.org.

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