Snack time is the Best Time!

‘I spend a lot of time holding the refrigerator door open looking for answers’

The human species have conveniently fallen into the humongous trap set by marketers of binge eating from packets that look like they have a load of deliciousness inside but in reality consist of all the wrong doings you could do to your body (even though everyone is completely aware about it).

And it is unfortunate that a majority of the world is convinced that snacking can only come in the form of these processed goods. And even if they do believe in other options, it is too time consuming to actually cook your own food (I mean why take the effort, when I can just run to the store next door? )

So I thought why not do a post on something I often have a tough time working on myself?!

5 Snack options that will make you forget about junk food:

1. Sautéed Vegetables

Ingredients:

1 chopped Carrot

1 chopped Red Bell Pepper

1 chopped Onion

1 Slice Tofu

Steps:

Prep Time: 15 mins , Cook Time: 10 mins

• Cut the vegetables you need – I have used Tofu , Onion, Carrots and Bell Pepper. Sometimes I add steamed corn and broccoli. The choice is all yours!
• Pour 1 tbsp of oil in a frying pan
• Add some cumin seeds
• Add the vegetables into the pan and Sauté them
• Add a teaspoon of chilli powder, salt and pepper
• Sauté until vegetables turn light brown
• Add a pinch of tabasco sauce if you want more flavor

If possible cut the vegetables before hand (early in the morning) to save you some time.

2. Sweet Potato Wedges, Ranch Dip and Cheese Garlic Bread or Toast:

Note: I don’t encourage processed foods, but you can consume the ranch dip in limited quantity or alternatively choose to make your own dip!

Ingredients:

Sweet Potatoes

2 teaspoons of Salt

2 teaspoons of Pepper

1 teaspoon Chilli Powder

Ranch Dip

Bread

Cheese

Prep Time: 10 Mins , Cook Time – 20 – 25 mins 

•  Pre Heat the oven at (220 degrees C)
• Cut the Sweet Potatoes either in circles or in the form of wedges.
• Prepare a mix of the following in a bowl:

1-2 Tbsps of oil (depending on quantity of sweet potatoes),

2 teaspoons of Salt

2 teaspoons of Pepper

1 teaspoon Chilli Powder

• Dip the sweet potatoes one by one into the mix and place them on a baking tray.
• Place the tray in the Pre Heated oven at (220 degrees C) for 20 – 25 minutes until it can be easily pierced with a fork.

Cheese Garlic Toast: 

Ingredients:

• Whole Wheat Bread
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 Tablespoon Garlic Powder

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. Mix Parmesan cheese, butter, garlic powder, and parsley in a small bowl. Spread the mixture on top of the bread slices.
3. Bake in preheated oven until butter is melted and bread toasted for 5 – 10 mins 

3. Hummus and Pita Bread:

This is easily my favorite Mid – Day meal!

If you live in India there are a couple of options you can follow:

•      You can order the Pita Bread and Hummus from Big Basket

• You can also check out Snackible , they have some great healthy snack options!

My recent loot from the store !

Alternatively, you can also choose to make your own hummus, you can find the recipe here.

4. Cut Fruits and Homemade Bhel! 

Is your mouth watering yet?

Find the recipe for Bhel here.

5. Pita Bread Pizza 

Ingredients 

1 Pita Bread

1 chopped onion

1 chopped bell pepper

1 cup of Corn Kernels

1 Slice of Cheese

Hummus

Prep Time: 10 Mins, Cook Time: 10 Mins 

• Sauté the onions, bell pepper and corn in a frying pan for 5 mins
• Spread the hummus on the pita bread and add a slice of cheese.
• Once the vegetable are ready add them to the pita bread and place it in the microwave for 3 mins. And Voila you have found your solution for the Pizza you have been craving!

Happy Snacking! 😀