A Healthier Spin on Super Bowl 50 Eats

How to enjoy the biggest game of the year based on the whole30® nutrition regimen
by Annemarie Wortz
Here at Hungry Fan we get it, you’ve made New Years resolutions to get healthy and you’re one month into 2016. And yet, it’s football season! (And not just football season, it’s Super Bowl time!) Fangating, game day parties and stadium visits test even the strongest-willed conscious eaters. But who wants to spend a whole game hungry or stressed out about your eating? We know we don’t.

We here at Hungry Fan thought some of you might appreciate an entire Super Bowl spread based on the Whole30® nutrition regimen. Even the most mindful of eaters will be allowed to indulge at this party. We will be releasing each recipe separately, so make sure you check back here frequently.

We’re kicking off recipe is First-Down Meatballs. Meatballs are a typical finger food found at most parties and we have created a delicious recipe for ’em that are sure to please! These meatballs pair well with our Blitz sauce (recipe to come) or go crazy with a curry sauce. Either way, these little spheres of meaty goodness are packed with protein and are a quick, easy snack food for even the pickiest of eaters.

First-Down Meatballs

1 1/4–2 pounds ground lamb**
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground ginger
Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
1–2 tablespoons ghee*
3 garlic cloves, minced

*Feel free to use extra virgin olive oil or clarified butter instead
**To feed 4 people, use 1 1/4 pounds; to feel 12 you will need closer to 2 pounds.

In a large mixing bowl combine the lamb, cumin, ginger, and a pinch of both salt and pepper. Mix well.

To make individual meatballs, roll a small serving of the meat mixture about the size of your inner palm into small balls. (They will shrink as they cook). Set aside on a plate. Once all the meat has been formed into balls, cover the plate with plastic wrap and cool in the fridge for an hour.

Melt 1 tablespoon of ghee into a large skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Once melted, add in the garlic and sauté until golden brown, but not burned. (The garlic will flavor the skillet and add a delicious depth of flavor the meatballs, which will also get cooked in the same skillet). Add in the remaining tablespoon of ghee if necessary and the refrigerated meatballs into the skillet. Stir or turn the meatballs frequently so they brown evenly on all sides (about 3–5 minutes).

Reduce heat to medium-low and place a lid on the skillet. Let the meatballs cook for an additional 10 minutes. As needed, test the meatballs’ doneness by gently cutting one open, checking for pinkness.

If no pink remains, remove the skillet from heat and let sit for another 5 minutes. (To get the best flavor meat needs time to settle before being plated.)

Finally, throw the finished meatballs in a bowl or on a serving plate (leaving out the minced garlic) and place toothpicks in each one for presentation. (Or not. We don’t judge.) Serve with your favorite dipping sauce or condiment!

Whole30® is a 30 day nutrition regimen that is described as, “a short-term nutritional reset, designed to help you put an end to unhealthy cravings and habits, restore a healthy metabolism, heal your digestive tract, and balance your immune system.” In short, one could say it is a one month detox that helps you understand what foods make your body feel a certain way (i.e. milk makes you feel bloated). To learn more you can visit the Whole30® website.