Unlike most of my family I am not a huge football fan. I watch football, but only if someone else is. I am a Payton Manning fan though, so I like to see how he’s doing, and I enjoy a good college Bowl game. Watching my family watch football is way more entertaining for me. The yelling, the pillow or remote throwing, the taunting of one another, the prayers. Yes so entertaining.
For me I find more fun in the kitchen, baking goods to eat during the football game or snacks to enjoy. I am all about the food when it comes to any type of occasion. Tailgating parties don’t have to filled with only unhealthy fare. Chili’s and soups are great for tailgating and they can be quite nutritious. Football is during the time of year where warming foods are most enjoyed and warming drinks. Soups are one of my favorites.
I love to use winter squashes during this time and apples or pears. Baked apples are a hit for a great snack or baked carrot fries. Then there’s the great dips. Dips can be where we get into trouble calorie and fat wise, but not when using yogurt. I love substituting yogurt for sour cream in most dips, to still lend the creaminess, but not sacrificing taste.
Greek yogurt is my favorite yogurt. It has the healthy fats we all need, calcium, and is a great source of probiotics (just check the label, because not all yogurt has the healthy bacteria). Chobani yogurt tops the list. Plain Chobani yogurt can be used in many football game day dishes. From chilis, soups, dips and desserts. So bring it along to your next tailgating party.
Our favorite way to use Chobani is in soups or desserts like breads and muffins. I also love it in pancakes. It makes muffins and breads more moist and fluffy, and pairs well with pumpkin bread or muffins. I recently created a recipe with Chobani to share with all of you. Butternut Squash Soup. It’s an old favorite in our family and perfect for game day.
I like my soup to be more savory, using thyme, oregano, and basil. In place of milk I added in a cup or so of Chobani yogurt. It’s just what you need for a creamy, thick soup. And why not add some healthy fats and bacteria. Great for the gut. Best paired with sourdough bread and a great Football game of course. 😉
- 2 tbs grapeseed oil (or oil of your source, I like grapeseed because it withstands high heats)
- 1 onion chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, chopped or minced
- 4 carrots, chopped
- 4 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeded & cut into cubes
- 4-6 cups veggie broth
- 1 c plain Chobani Yogurt
- 1 tsp thyme
- 2 tsp oregano
- 1-2 tsp basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Saute onions and garlic with oil for 5 minutes on medium heat in a stock pan.
- Add broth, carrots, celery, and squash and bring to boil.
- Reduce to simmer and cover. Simmer for 40-50 minutes, or until carrots and squash are tender. Add in spices while simmering,
- Once soft, scoop soup into food processor or blender and process/blend until smooth (will have to do this in batches).
- Return mixture to stock pan, add yogurt. Heat through. Once it’s back at desired temp, serve and enjoy.
Hope you enjoy it as much as we did on game day 1, and 2, and then 3. Yes there are many game days in this family. Be sure to check out Chobani’s website to find more recipe inspirations for your own game day eats. You can also head over to madewithchobani.com, or you can find some recipes using the hashtag #MadeWithChobani. They are doing a tailgating series to celebrate this year’s football season, and what’s better to celebrate with than food?!
Oh and if you are looking for a great breakfast to start off you tailgating fun, try pancakes. You can top with Chobani yogurt or mix in to the batch. My favorite currently are pumpkin pancakes with a couple spoonfuls of Chobani. Great way to start game day. Enjoy
Until Next Time Be Whole and Be Fit
What’s your favorite way to use Chobani yogurt? Favorite game day recipe?
I love Chobani plain yogurt for so many things. It makes wonderful smoothies for my family, dips at the Holidays, and a moist tang to baked goods. I received a butternut squash in my CSA box, I cubed it and froze, this would be the perfect way to use that up. My family and I love soup and as usual you have created a lovely, delicious recipe for us to try!
Thanks Lisa!! i hope you enjoy this recipe.