202 Magazine September 2013 Edition September 2013 | Page 55

eating and living well / 202 NUTRITION /

Low-fat touchdown brownies
These fabulous football-shaped brownies won’t sideline your diet! Creamy, reduced-fat fudge frosting, created with low-fat cream cheese and Splenda, adds a special touch to these moist brownies which start easily from a box mix. Be sure to chill before cutting. These brownies travel well to a tailgate wrapped in wax paper; they'll be a big hit with football fans of all ages! Recipe: 1 box Low-Fat Brownie Mix (such as Betty Crocker) 1/2 cup chopped walnuts 1 package (8 ounces) reduced-fat cream cheese 1 tablespoon light butter 2 cups Splenda 1/2 cup cocoa powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon pure vanilla 3 tablespoons reduced-fat milk 1/4 cup white chips Directions: Prepare brownie batter according to package instructions. Stir in walnuts. Spread into greased 15x10x1-inch pan. Bake at 350?F for 12-15 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool pan on wire rack. In a mixing bowl, cream together the cream cheese and butter on medium speed for one minute. Reduce speed to low; gradually add Splenda, cocoa powder, salt and vanilla. If needed to thin mixture, add milk by teaspoons. Spread frosting over cooled brownies. Loosely cover and chill for one hour or until frosting is set. Cut brownies into diamond shapes. In microwave, melt chips at 50 percent power; stir until smooth. Place in small ziptop baggie; cut small hole in corner of bag. Pipe laces onto brownies. Yield: 36 brownies. Calories: 163; Fat: 3g; Protein: 2g. Cost per serving: $0.49

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SCORE POINTS!
10 Tailgating Tips

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1. uuBefore your party, eat small snacks containing fiber and protein to keep you less tempted to overeat. 2. uuChoose low-fat snacks, such as popcorn, pretzels and baked tortilla chips. 3. uuEat from a plate rather than continually grazing from the buffet to keep track of calories. 4. uuAlternate alcohol with zero-calorie soft drinks to keep alcohol calories in check. 5. uuSelect fiber-filled, high-protein foods, such as wraps and salads made with beans. 6. uuUse low-fat cheeses and dressings in salads to keep calories low. 7. uuOpt for the salsa, an excellent low-fat choice which can be paired with fresh veggies. 8. uuThink about food safety: bring a meat thermometer to make sure burgers and brats are cooked to 160 degrees and chicken to 170 degrees. 9. uuUse a thermometer in your cooler to make sure foods stay at 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or less. 10. uuDo not leave food unrefrigerated at a tailgate for more than two hours. In hot weather (90 degrees or above), the time limit is one hour.

ABOUT THE WRITER – Suzette Zara is an author, nutritionist and creator of “Too Busy to Diet” and Devil’s Salsa. For more great recipes and nutrition tips, visit Suzette’s blog and website at DevilsSalsa.com.

202magazine.com / SEPTEMBER 2013 / 202 MAGAZINE

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