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Budgets & bites: A super bowl party that won't break the budget or your waistline

Go Broncos! (Oh, wait. Never mind. We can still enjoy good food though!)
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY staff)

If you’re planning a Super Bowl Party – it is possible to pull it off without spending too much money or gaining too many pounds.

Aim for healthier snacks. We’re not saying you have to set out salads and whole wheat crackers without dip. But there are ways to make your favorite football snacks a tad healthier.

If you want sliders, try turkey instead of beef. You can make seasoned turkey sliders with just a few ingredients. If you don’t want to indulge with bread, use lettuce instead.

Veggie skewers are another great option. They look cool and they keep everybody’s grimy hands out of a communal tray. Plus, those trays can get pricey.

Dips! Can’t forget the sauces and dips! You can make a healthier blue cheese dressing by mixing it with non-fat Greek yogurt. And if you want guacamole, consider making an edamame version. It only calls for one avocado, plus lot of edamame beans, cilantro and sour cream.

Just say no to the potato chips. Enjoy pita chips instead – you’ll still get that satisfying crunch!

Don’t worry about the wallet, either. Everything was made and set up on a cute football-themed table for less than $70.

RECIPES:

Asian turkey lettuce sliders:

Makes 24 sliders, about 270 calories each.

About $17 for all ingredients.

- Ground turkey, 2 pounds.

- Hoisin sauce, ¼ cup.

- Fish sauce, 1 tablespoon.

- Cucumber, thinly sliced.

Large lettuce leaves (optional).

Hamburger buns.

Mix turkey and sauces and form small patties. You can also place the meat on a cookie sheet and divide it up into about 24 pieces.

Broil until meat is brown, glazed and reads 165 degrees Fahrenheit, about 8-9 minutes. Add cucumber or other desired veggies to cooked patties.

Wrap in lettuce or hamburger buns.

Buffalo chicken skewers:

About 90 calories per skewer.

About $8 for ingredients.

- Bamboo skewers.

- 3, 8 oz. boneless skinless chicken breasts (thighs work as well).

- Hot sauce of your choice, 1 cup.

- Any other sauces to taste (cayenne pepper, garlic, etc).

Thaw chicken, cut and add on to skewer.

Place skewers on broiler pan and broil 8-10 minutes, until chicken is cooked through.

Blend sauce and spices and generously coat each skewer with the mixture. Do this while the chicken is still hot!

If you have leftover sauce, pour it in a bowl for extra dipping opportunities.

Edamame “guacamole”:

About 88 calories per ¼ cup.

About $5 dollars for ingredients.

- Frozen, shelled edamame beans, 1 cup.

- 1 avocado.

- Peeled lime, 2 teaspoons.

- Salt and pepper blend, 1 teaspoon.

- 1 Roma tomato, finely chopped.

- Cilantro and red onion, 1 tablespoon each.

Jalapeño to taste (if you want a little extra kick!)

Cook the edamame in a saucepan with boiling water until tender, 10-12 minutes. Drain and set aside to cool.

Use a blender or food processor to blend lime, salt and pepper and edamame beans. Add mix to a bowl and fold in tomato, cilantro, onion and jalapeño.

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