DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. — Throughout the holidays, Americans consume nearly 4,000(1) calories on average per meal while dining on the festive fare of the season. Whether planning a party or cozying up with family, 'tis the season to cut calories without cutting the flavor, as Hillshire Farm introduces new Applewood Smoked Chicken Lit'l Smokies. At 100 calories and seven grams of protein per serving, this new poultry spin on the classic Lit'l Smokies offers a better-for-you appetizer or snack option this holiday season.
The first chicken Lit'l Smokies from the Hillshire Farm line of premium quality sausage products, Applewood Smoked Chicken Lit'l Smokies contain 60 percent less fat(2) and 40 percent fewer calories than regular Lit'l Smokies, offering consumers more variety when serving up holiday hors d'oeuvres and snacks. Chicken sausage is the fastest growing protein in the sausage category, seeing 25 percent growth in 2010.(3) With consumers continuing to incorporate more poultry into their meals,(4) the newest addition to the line-up of Lit'l Smokies products is a tasty chicken option the whole family can enjoy in just minutes.
"As we gear up for entertaining season, consumers are looking for more lower-calorie snack options they can feel good about serving their families and guests," said Daryl Gormley, Brand General Manager, Hillshire Farm. "Hillshire Farm Applewood Smoked Chicken Lit'l Smokies offer the satisfying flavor our consumers expect from our Lit'l Smokies product offerings while serving as a better-for-you option that does not compromise on taste."
Whether wrapping Lit'l Smokies in crescent rolls for a tasty take on pigs in a blanket, or throwing them on a skewer for an on-the-go appetizer, Applewood Smoked Chicken Lit'l Smokies pair particularly well with an array of dipping sauces. Dive into the refrigerator and create quick and simple sauces using many of the ingredients found at home already, including the recipes below:
Mustard-Maple Dipping Sauce
Ingredients:
— 1 package Applewood Smoked Chicken Lit'l Smokies
— 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
— 1/4 cup real maple syrup
— 2 teaspoons prepared horseradish
Directions:
1. Remove Lit'l Smokies from package and place on a microwave-safe dish. Microwave 3 minutes on medium-high power.
2. Mix mustard, maple syrup and horseradish in a small bowl. Serve with heated Lit'l Smokies.
Spicy Southwestern Barbeque Dipping Sauce
Ingredients:
— 1 package Applewood Smoked Chicken Lit'l Smokies
— 1/2 cup your favorite jarred barbeque sauce
— 1 small chipotle chili pepper in adobo sauce
Directions:
1. Remove Lit'l Smokies from package and place on a microwave-safe dish. Microwave 3 minutes on medium-high power.
2. Place barbeque sauce and pepper into the bowl of a small food processor or blender. Puree until smooth. Serve with heated Lit'l Smokies.
Warm Swiss Cheese-Apple Dipping Sauce
Ingredients:
— 1 package Applewood Smoked Chicken Lit'l Smokies
— 1 clove garlic, peeled and cut in half
— 1 cup shredded reduced fat Swiss cheese
— 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
— 1 teaspoon corn starch
— 1/2 cup apple cider
Directions:
1. Rub garlic halves around the inside of a medium microwave-safe bowl. Discard garlic.
2. Place cheese, mustard and cornstarch into garlic-rubbed bowl.
3. Place cider into a microwave-safe mug or small bowl. Microwave on high power 1 to 2 minutes, or until hot.
4. Stir hot cider into cheese mixture. Place mixture into microwave and cook on medium power 4 to 6 minutes or until cheese is melted, stirring every 2 minutes. Serve with heated Lit'l Smokies.
Buffalo Blue Cheese Dipping Sauce
Ingredients:
— 1 package Applewood Smoked Chicken Lit'l Smokies
— 1 garlic clove, minced
— 2 tablespoons of your favorite vinegar-based hot sauce
— 2 ounces blue cheese, crumbled
— 1/2 cup fat free Greek-style yogurt
Directions:
1. Remove Lit'l Smokies from package and place on a microwave-safe dish. Microwave 3 minutes on medium-high power.
2. Mix remaining ingredients together in a medium bowl. If desired, further break up pieces of cheese with spoon as you stir. Serve with heated Lit'l Smokies.
In supermarkets nationwide this holiday season, Applewood Smoked Chicken Lit'l Smokies cocktail links are available in 14 oz. packaging for a suggested retail price of $4.29. Visit www.hillshirefarm.com for more information on Hillshire Farm and Applewood Smoked Chicken Lit'l Smokies, including recipes and product details.
About Hillshire Farm
Hillshire Farm has been providing quality meat products since 1934. Hillshire Farm uses only quality cuts of meat, delivering products that are versatile, easy to use and available in a variety of sizes and flavors. The Hillshire Farm sausage portfolio includes Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausage, Hillshire Farm Link Sausage and Hillshire Farm Lit'l Smokies cocktail links. Visit www.hillshirefarm.com for additional information.
About Sara Lee Corporation
Collectively, Sara Lee's /quotes/zigman/240340/quotes/nls/sle SLE -2.25% leading portfolio of food and beverage brands, including Ball Park, Douwe Egberts, Hillshire Farm, Jimmy Dean, Pickwick Teas, Sara Lee and Senseo, generate nearly $9 billion in annual net sales from continuing operations and employ approximately 20,000 people worldwide. In January, 2011, Sara Lee Corp. announced that it will divide the company into two pure -play publicly-traded companies, one focused on the international coffee and tea market and the other on North American meats. For more information on the company, please visit www.saralee.com .
(1) http://blogs.webmd.com/health-ehome/2009/12/healthy-eating-for-the-holidays-better-for-you-better-for-the-planet.html
(2) Based on USDA data for pork and beef smoked sausage
(3) Source: Symphony IRI Group Sales Advantage, Dinner Sausage Reviews Category, Total U.S. — FDMx, 52 weeks ending 12/26/10
(4) http://www.wattagnet.com/US_chicken_consumption_increases_in_2010_after_three-year_decline.html
Source: Sara Lee Corporation
