Sunday, August 4, 2013

Football, bar food and tailgating---have your wings and eat smart too!
The season of our greatest American past time, football, is just around the corner and whether you are an NFL Patriot’s fan or a college Tiger fan, the one thing all of us have in common is bar food and tailgating.  Every year I have the challenge of preparing food that is both smart and comforting, meeting our expectations for finger licking good.  Let’s face it, no one wants to be seen eating a “smart” salad bowl at kickoff.  So, here is my solution to the dilemma for those of you who want to belly up to the bar and still eat smart to feel good.

5.  Add apple cider vinegar, chili peppers and spices. 

BTB original Duck Cakes Caramel
Natural cider vinegar, chilis and spices such as cinnamon, ginger and turmeric are especially anti-inflammatory.  So, whatever your choice for bbq sauce, potato salad, cheese quesadillas, or ribs, add a double dose of each to balance out the bad affects of the sugar, trans fats and refined grains which are surely included as a main ingredient.

4.  Cook from scratch.

Of course, this is the best way to eat smart.  Every food that comes in  a bottle, can, bag or box has either added sugar, salt, trans fats, refined grains or chemicals. 

3.  Make smart menu choices.

BTB Bison Shortribs
 When in a restaurant, choose items that can be served without the pasta, bread or sauce.  Instead of white potato fries, choose sweet potato fries.  Instead of white rice, choose brown.  And remember a plant based diet is the best diet.  

2.   Drink less eat less.

I think this is a no brainer.  But, for those of you who don't know this, drinking alcohol stimulates the appetite and the only foods that seem to quench it are salty, comfort foods such as ice cream and potato chips or foods laden with fat. 

BTB Rabbit Wings in a tangy tomato bbq sauce


1.  Order out or eat in at Beyond the Bull.

Check out the smart food for lunch, dinner and tailgating.  Instead of the a steady diet of hot dogs, pizza, subs and wings, try duck cakes and rabbit wings with BTB special dipping sauces or tangy tomato bbq sauce and spicy salsa.  They pair well with lagers and ales and are not only smarter but taste better too. 

Buon Appetito e Buona Salute, Chef AngelaB
Beyond the Bulll (an "eat smart" kitchen)