While the NFL’s main event is considered a good excuse to partake in loaded nachos and hoagie spreads fit for a team of running backs, with a plant-based powerhouse on the field, it hard not to think: WWTBD? (What would Tom Brady do?)
Sure, he’s playing in this game—and most likely fueling up with a vegan protein-packed pregame snack—but if he were watching with the rest of the Brady-Bündchen clan, it’d likely be fewer mozzarella sticks, more carrot sticks. (You don’t lead a team to their seventh Super Bowl appearance since 2000 by carbo-loading, apparently.)
I tapped Tom and Gisele’s part-time vacation chef, Joanne Gerrard Young, for some game-day recipes the star quarterback and supermodel would actually approve of. From a bean dip (hold the queso) to cauliflower Buffalo “wings,” these might end up being the real MVPs of your Super Bowl party while you watch the New England Patriots face off against the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday, February 5. BYO avocado ice cream, of course.
Scroll down for 4 deliciously healthy Super Bowl party recipes from Tom Brady’s personal chef.
Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Wings
Yields 8-10 servings, depending on size of cauliflower
Ingredients1 whole head cauliflower1 cup flour or gluten-free flour2 tsp garlic powder1 cup almond milk1 cup buffalo sauce or sauce of choice1 Tbsp olive oil
1. Preheat oven to 450°. Break cauliflower into bite-sized florets.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the flour, milk, and garlic powder, adding in the the cauliflower last to coat. Place in a baking dish and bake for 18 minutes.
3. While the cauliflower is baking, whisk together buffalo sauce and oil. Remove the florets from the oven and toss in the sauce. Return to oven for 6-8 minutes.
3-Layer Smoky Black Bean Dip
Yields 10-12 servings
Ingredients
Bean dip5-6 cups tortilla chips3 cups salsa, about 24 oz.Olives, sliced, to tasteGreen onion, chopped, to tasteCilantro, to taste2 15oz. cans black beans, drained and rinsed well3 Tbsp water1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper1/2 cup chopped white onion2 medium garlic cloves2 Tbsp fresh lime juice1 1/4 tsp ground cumin1/2-1 tsp smoked paprikaSea salt & pepper, to taste1-2 Tbsp fresh finely chopped jalapeño
Guacamole4 ripe avocados1 small handful cilantro leaves, chopped1/4 cup finely diced onionJuice of 1 limeSea salt
1. Purée the beans in a food processor.
2. Heat 3 Tbsp water in a small pan at medium-high and cook bell pepper and onion at medium-low for 5 minutes.
3. Add garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Add the spices, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper and cook for 2 minutes.
4. Add the cooked onion and peppers to the processor and process with the beans until smooth. Add the chopped jalapeño and pulse until combined.
5. In a serving bowl, begin to assemble the dip. You can either layer the tortilla chips on the bottom or serve them on the side to dip. Then, layer the dip with salsa, guacamole, and black bean mixture—with the salsa on the bottom—adding in the cilantro, green onion, and olives in between the layers, as needed.
For the guacamole
1. Peel and pit the avocado and place in a mixing bowl. Add all of the remaining ingredients. Mash with a fork or potato masher until combined.
Notes*For best results, prepare a day ahead.
Vegan Chili with Cornbread Muffins
Yields 10-12 servings chili, 12 muffins or 24 mini muffins
Ingredients
Chili1 1/2 cup cooked quinoa1 Tbsp water1 large onion, diced3 cloves garlic, minced2 15 oz. cans diced tomatoes1 15 oz. can tomato sauce1 1/2 cups vegetable broth1 small diced green chili2 1/2 Tbsp chili powder2 tsp ground cumin1/8 tsp cayenne pepperSea salt and black pepper2 15 oz. cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed well15 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed well1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen corn1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
Cornbread muffins
3 cups cornmeal1 cup flour or gluten-free flour2 tsp baking powder1/2 tsp cayenne pepper1/2 tsp salt1 Tbsp nutritional yeast1/4 cup plus 1 Tbsp coconut oil2 Tbsp non-dairy yogurt2 Tbsp maple syrup2 cups almond milk2 tsp apple cider vinegar1 jalapeño, sliced
1. Heat water over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté for four minutes. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
2. Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, cooked quinoa, vegetable broth, green chilies, chili powder, cumin, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer for 20 minutes.
3. Add kidney beans, black beans, corn, and cilantro. Simmer for 20-40 minutes.
For the cornbread muffins
1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together almond milk and apple cider vinegar. Set aside.
3. Mix dry ingredients together: cornmeal, flour, baking powder, cayenne, salt, and nutritional yeast.
4. Add the oil and maple syrup to the almond milk/apple cider vinegar mixture and whisk until frothy, about 2 minutes.
5. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix together using a wooden spoon or spatula.
6. Pour batter into prepared muffin tins and bake for 25-30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If using mini muffin tins, bake for 19-22 minutes.
Crispy Baked Avocado Tacos with Citrus Slaw
Yields 10-15 servings
Ingredients
Tacos30 tortillas5 ripe avocados, halved1/2 cup almond milk1 Tbsp coconut oil1 cup ground gluten-free panko bread crumbs1/2 tsp smoked paprika1/2 tsp onion powder1/2 tsp cumin powder1/2 tsp sea salt1/2 tsp black pepper1/2 cup flour of choice
Citrus slaw1 head cabbage3 large carrots, julienned3 green onions, chopped1 jalapeño, julienned1 1/8 cup of chopped fresh cilantro or basil1 orange, zest and juice1 lime, zest and juice1/2 tsp sea salt
1. Preheat the oven to 450°.
2. Whisk the almond milk and coconut oil together in a small bowl.
3. Then, combine the breadcrumbs, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl and stir well.
4. Pit, peel, and slice each avocado half into 3 or 4 bite-sized pieces. Take a slice of avocado and roll each one in the flour. Dip each avocado piece into the almond milk and oil mixture, then roll it in the breadcrumb mixture. Place on a foil-lined baking sheet.
5. Bake for 10 minutes, then turn the pan inside the oven. Bake for an additional 10-12 minutes. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce, on a sandwich, or atop a salad.
6. To assemble the tacos, warm tortillas on a baking sheet in the oven for 3 – 7 minutes. Place a piece of baked avocado on top of each tortilla and top it with citrus slaw. Option to add fresh sliced jalapeño and chopped sweet white onion.
For the citrus slaw
1. Shred the cabbage. Place cabbage, carrots, green onions, jalapeño, and remaining cilantro in a large salad bowl. Add the orange, lime zest, and juice. Salt and toss together.
If you’re still in need of more healthy Super Bowl snacks, forget the guac—these avocado hummus bowls are a total touchdown. Or channel Tom Brady on the beverage front with these electrolyte-rich, DIY sports drinks.
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