Go Dairy-Free for Game Day!

Fall is here and that means back-to-school, colorful leaves, holidays, and…FOOTBALL! Watching grown men in tights tackle each other on the field is one of the greatest American pass times. The other is eating and we love to do these in tandem. Traditional game day fare is tempting, mouth-watering, and typically dairy-laden. This is a big problem for those of us on the non-dairy path but solutions abound.

 

Many traditional game day recipes like sour cream-based dips and cheesy snacks can be converted to dairy (and even gluten free) easily and still other tasty treats, like roasted nuts or raw veggies and hummus, are naturally non-dairy. If you are attending a viewing party at a friend’s house, honesty is the best policy. Let your host know about your dietary restrictions, ask which foods are friendly, and offer to bring a dish or two.

If you are hosting, score a touchdown with your guests by serving some dairy-free versions of your favorite snacks. You don’t even have to tell them. In this case, what they don’t know definitely won’t hurt them. In fact, you’ll be doing everyone a favor. Many of these alternatives have less fat and calories than their dairy-laden counterparts. Happy snacking!

Dairy Free Seven Layer Bean Dip

1 can GF vegetarian refried beans (Eden Organic is currently the only brand I can verify to be truly *CFGF)
1 medium yellow onion, diced
2 medium tomatoes, finely chopped
2 ripe avocados, halved, pitted and peeled
1 can jalapeno chiles, chopped
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
2 T. fresh lime juice
1 c. Tofutti Non-Hydrogenated Sour Supreme
1 c. Daiya Deliciously Dairy Free Cheddar Style shreds*
6 scallions, thinly sliced
1 small can sliced or chopped black olives
1-2 bags GF tortilla chips, for serving

Directions

1. Dice tomatoes finely, set half aside. Chop half the can of jalapenos. Mash avocados with lime juice, the chopped jalapenos, 2 T. of the chopped onion; set aside.

2. Spread beans evenly in the bottom of a clear glass baking dish. Top with evenly thick layers of Daiya cheddar shreds, remaining onions, remaining tomatoes except for 1 T., Sour Supreme, Guacamole (avocado mixture), and scallions. Distribute the remaining jalapenos (sliced), remaining tomatoes, and the olives on top. Refrigerate for 1 hour.

Make and refrigerate up to 24 hours ahead. Serve with basket of GF tortilla chips on the side.

*CFGF = Casein free, gluten free product
**Serving idea: create individual servings in glass jelly jars.

Happy snacking!