02.03.2021

Shanthi Appelö is a registered dietitian and health and wellness spokesperson for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan based in Detroit. Passionate about the science of nutrition and behavior, Shanthi has experience working in clinical nutrition, public health and teaching in the university setting. She earned her Master of Science in Public Health Nutrition from the University of Tennessee and has a research background in maternal and child health nutrition and public health, as well as a Certificate of Training in Obesity Interventions from the Commission on Dietetic Registration. In her free time, she enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, exploring the outdoors, working on art and spending time with family.

Game Day Appetizers

Are you planning any upcoming football-focused festivities? If you’re in the mood for sliders and wings, we’ve got you covered!

Here are more helpful tips to keep in mind as you tackle football feasting:

Include a vegetable platter or other healthy foods as part of the spread.

Try to wait 20 minutes after eating to consider whether you need to go back for seconds.

Offer water in addition to other beverages to quench thirst over alcoholic beverages or sugary drinks.

Scroll down for some healthy plant-based wing and slider substitutes that are sure to pack in extra nutrients and cut calories from saturated fat.

Serving Amount

Ingredients

2 heads cauliflower (1 head for each sauce)
Spray oil
¹⁄₃ cup flour
¹⁄₂ tsp garlic powder
3 tbsp milk
¹⁄₂ cup panko breadcrumbs
¹⁄₃ cup honey
¹⁄₄ cup chili garlic sauce
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp ginger, minced
3 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 tbsp oil (canola, olive or avocado oil)
Garnish: chopped green onion
2 tbsp chipotle in adobo sauce
1 tbsp olive oil
2 Juice of limes
1 Zest of lime
Freshly ground black pepper and salt to taste
Garnish: chopped green onion cilantro

Instructions

Step 1
Separate cauliflower head into individual florets.
Step 2
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and preheat large baking dish with parchment paper along with it.
Step 3
In a bowl, spray cauliflower with olive oil and toss with flour and garlic powder.
Step 4
Add milk of choice and toss, then add panko breadcrumbs and toss to coat the cauliflower.
Step 5
Place cauliflower on baking dish, attempting to leave space between each floret.
Step 6
Bake on the center rack 25 minutes.
Step 7
Combine ingredients from desired sauce above while cauliflower is baking.
Step 8
Toss in sauce and bake for another 5-10 minutes until desired color.
Step 9
Top with garnish and enjoy with a dipping sauce of choice.