Snacks are an important part of our day. Whether it’s to beat hunger pangs between meals, grab a quick bite on the road, appease cranky children or offer unexpected guests, snacking, of some form or the other, is a habit deeply entrenched in our eating patterns. And with school holidays on, the family can have lots of fun congregating over plates of delicious snacks! Here are a few ideas to play with.
Sandwiches are one of the simplest snack ideas to put together, the fact that you don’t necessarily need to slave over a hot stove is an added advantage. And there is a world of sandwiches to pick from! There is no denying the yumminess of a simple butter-jam sandwich, but why not explore the world of sandwiches at snack-time? From the vegetable filled spicy Mumbai sandwich to the panini filled with choicest meats and spreads, there is so much variety out there. And where ideas end, imagination begins! All one needs is a little creativity and a few fixings! Explore different combinations of breads like white bread, crusty ciabatta, or sourdough, and spreads like flavoured butter, veg mayonnaise, hot sauces, pesto, harissa paste, hummus, fruit chutneys, or fillings like spicy meat, kebabs, cheese, thin slices of ham, shredded chicken, leftover cuts of roast lamb, or roasted vegetables. Or here is an idea, just put all the ingredients on a table and create an impromptu sandwich bar, where you let everyone create their own sandwiches!
Imagine a room of loud, raucous children come in from playing in the rain or friends meeting for tea party. The occasion calls for something hot and crunchy that is satisfying and addictive. Stock up on frozen snacks that can be quickly baked or fried and served with a delicious, tongue-tingling dip. Think chicken nuggets with spicy salsa, chili garlic potato bites, fish fingers or French fries with sriracha mayonnaise, kebabs with a mirchi chutney, or a lovely fry-up of sausages, quickly stir-fried with onions and bell peppers. Hot, freshly baked, or fried snacks can never go down wrong!
Sometimes, the occasion requires a light snack, when it’s a hot day, or impromptu guests drop in or plans for a sudden movie night come together. Stock up on pop corn, chips and dips and keep them handy. There is so many to choose from: potatoes, banana, soya snacks, corn, and now lentil chips, not to mention nachos and tortilla chips. And even more to dip it all into from chutneys, to yogurt dips, salsa, sriracha, mayonnaise, cheesy dips, and more. Pick up readymade options or mix up a batch of tzatziki, baba ganoush, guacamole, sundried tomato pesto, or a cheesy dip spiked with jalapenos at home. Here is a fun idea! Mix 2-3 different types of chips in a big bowl and serve it up with a couple of dips. Or layer different dips in a bowl and serve with chips.
Now, it might seem like with all this variety, it would be hard to snack healthy but thankfully, that’s not the case. A little creativity and you can combine health and taste. Think, for instance, of a fresh, crunchy lettuce leaf shaped into a bowl filled with chicken flavoured with red Thai curry paste and served with sweet Thai chili sauce! You can also serve up vegetable crudités with a range of dips. Another innovative snack is a quick bhel of puffed millets tossed with finely chopped onion, tomatoes, green chilies, coriander leaves, and seasoned with chaat masala and lemon juice. If you have a hankering for fries, opt to parboil and bake them at home for a healthy indulgent treat. You can also flavour them as per your preference, dust them in a mix of Italian herbs or with garlic powder and crushed black pepper.
Thankfully, you don’t have to run to the stores every time you have a craving. Sit in the comfort of your kitchen and enjoy the 25% off on a filling stack of snacks. What can we say except Thank Godrej Nature’s Basket it’s #FoodieFriday! 😉
Also you can buy white butter online from Natures Basket store at best prices!!
