Norwalk, CT (January 22, 2009) – Pepperidge Farm is encouraging people everywhere to embrace wholesome Game Day snacking with Baked Naturals – snacks that celebrate everything that is real and good. Celebrity natural food chef and star of Bravo’s hit show, “The Real Housewives of New York City,” Bethenny Frankel, continues her partnership with Pepperidge Farm to share some snack recipes and tips that will delight the biggest fans.
According to Nielsen Media Research, 38 million women watched the football event of the year in 2008. With the record number of female viewers, along with the growing amount of more health-conscious men, the Sunday Game Day Party has moved beyond the tailgating-inspired favorites of the past.
“People are constantly looking for snacks that are wholesome, but are also satisfying and great tasting,” said Michael Simon, Senior Vice President/General Manager – Snacks Division at Pepperidge Farm. “Baked Naturals are a simple, yet delicious Game Day snack solution that will help elevate the tailgating cuisine of yesterday and please all football party guests.”
“The nature of fabulous football party snacking has evolved as consumers’ tastes and eating habits have changed,” said Bethenny Frankel. “Gone are the old and boring spreads of years past. These days, I’m constantly entertaining at home and therefore know firsthand that today’s tasteful party-goer is looking for more wholesome options that are both fulfilling and flavorful. My new recipes paired with Baked Naturals will be the real winner at your Big Game bash!”
Now is the perfect time for consumers to change their game-plan by offering guests more wholesome Game Day party cuisine. Armed with a number of tricks-of-the-trade from her celebrity clientele, Bethenny has created winning recipes that will score high with guests.
Prep: 10 minutes
Makes: 1 1/3 cups
1 can (about 16 ounces) chickpeas (garbanzo beans)5 large fresh basil leaves (about 1/2 cup)1 clove garlic, peeled1 tablespoon lemon juice1 tablespoon olive oil¼ teaspoon ground black pepper1 teaspoon soy saucePepperidge Farm® Baked Naturals Toasted Wheat Crisps
1. Drain the chickpeas, reserving 1 tablespoon liquid. Rinse the chickpeas.2. Place the chickpeas, reserved liquid, basil, garlic, lemon juice, oil, pepper and soy sauce into a food processor container. Cover and process until the mixture is smooth. Serve with the wheat crisps for dipping.
Makes: 2 cups
1 container (8 ounces) reduced fat vegetable cream cheese, softened1 cup reduced fat sour cream1 cup crumbled blue cheese (about 4 ounces)1 teaspoon garlic powder¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper1 teaspoon minced fresh parsley1 teaspoon minced fresh dill weedPepperidge Farm® Baked Naturals Savory Cheddar Pretzel Thins
1. Place the cream cheese, sour cream, blue cheese, garlic powder, pepper, parsley and dill into a medium bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is blended.2. Sprinkle with additional parsley. Serve with the pretzel thins for dipping.
Bethenny’s Game Day Entertaining Tips:
Bring on the Challenge! Take the competition off the field and into your living room. In addition to the standard touchdown pool, have your guests participate in some fun indoor activities such as football charades. Have your guests divide up into teams and act out some fun Game Day and football words. Some fun examples are referee, goal post, touchdown, cheerleader or your favorite team’s mascot. This fun, engaging game appeals to all your guests, both men and women alike!
Big Game, Little You. Take advice from Bethenny’s book, Gain 25 Thin Thoughts. Lose 25 Heavy Habits and Be: NATURALLY THIN!, and allow yourself to have it all, just not all at once. For special events like the Big Game, indulge in a little bit of all the things you love rather than depriving yourself. Also, remember that your diet is a bank account so prepare for this day by accounting for your snacking at meals before and after your Game Day party and even the next day.
Score with a Winning Theme. Incorporate a little unexpected flair into your entertaining décor. After setting the stage with your favorite team’s winning colors, use candles, balloons and old team jerseys to kick the festivities up a notch. Don’t be scared to go with fun, bright colors such as hot pink, turquoise and lime green. The bright accents could turn your fabulous football party into a game day fiesta everyone will enjoy!
Pepperidge Farm Baked Naturals crackers come in six delicious varieties – Toasted Wheat and Zesty Tomato Herb Wheat Crisps. Simply Pretzel and Savory Cheddar Pretzel Thins and Artisan Cheese and Toasted Sesame Snack Sticks. All are available at major supermarkets, grocery stores and mass merchandisers nationwide with a suggested retail price of $3.49. For additional information on Baked Naturals and to see more recipes from Bethenny Frankel, visit www.BakedNaturals.com.
About Pepperidge Farm Pepperidge Farm, Incorporated, based in Norwalk, Connecticut, is a leading provider of premium quality fresh bakery products, cookies, crackers, and frozen foods. Among the company’s most popular products are Chocolate Chunk and Milano® cookies, Goldfish® crackers, and more than 50 varieties of fresh baked breads including Swirl, Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse , 100% Natural and Whole Grain.
Pepperidge Farm was founded in Connecticut in 1937 by Margaret Rudkin, an entrepreneurial homemaker who began baking fresh, all-natural bread for her allergic son. The company is now a nationwide business with 8 manufacturing facilities, almost 5,000 employees, almost 4,000 independent distributorships, and over $1 billion in sales. Pepperidge Farm was acquired by Campbell Soup Company in 1961.
About Bethenny Frankel Bethenny’s number one priority is to create healthy food choices while never compromising great taste. After graduating The Natural Gourmet Cooking Institute in New York, Bethenny’s passion for health and healing combined with innovative culinary skills, inspired her to create bethennybakes®, a company that ranges from a line of wheat, egg and dairy free baked goods to cooking for private clients to her custom meal delivery service creating nutritious meals tailored to one’s specific needs whether vegan, macrobiotic, post-pregnancy, weight loss or simply to eat healthfully.
Bethenny was named the “break-out star” on NBC’s “The Apprentice: Martha Stewart” in 2005. She was the runner-up in the premiere television program and was praised for her talents both in the conference room and kitchen by Martha herself. Bethenny is also a contributor and TV expert for Health magazine, and served as the hostess for Chefdance 2007 and Chefdance 2008, a 10-day culinary event during the Sundance Film Festival.
Well-known and respected amongst Hollywood elite, Bethenny creates meals specifically designed for her “A” list celebrity clients. As her name and brand recognition continue to evolve, Bethenny just completed writing Gain 25 Thin Thoughts. Lose 25 Heavy Habits and Be: NATURALLY THIN! Which illustrates her goal to “democratize health” by making a healthy, balanced lifestyle accessible to all. Bethenny also stars in “The Real Housewives of NYC” starting March 4th on Bravo. She currently resides in New York City with her dog, Cookie. For more information about Bethenny, as well as tips and recipes, please visit www.Bethanybakes.com.
CONTACT: Geri Allen Pepperidge Farm 203-846-7351 [email protected]
Shauna Mayer DeVries Public Relations212-891-0419[email protected]