Snack Attack

It’s 7:30 pm. Your stomach is growling. You already ate dinner, but of course, while studying, your appetite spikes up again and you are craving something sweet or salty. You want something quick, easy and tasty, and most importantly cheap, but not lacking in flavour. Here are some super-easy recipes for yummy treats, all tested courtesy of moi. Holy Moly Guacamole: I love avocados. In fact, they are one of my favourite foods. They’re creamy and filling and very versatile. This recipe takes minutes to make, and it’s full of the vitamins and good fats you need to study! For my healthy, yet easy and scrumptious guacamole, take one ripe avacado (it should be slightly squeezable) and remove all of the flesh. Using a fork, squash it along with ¼ tsp of salt, ¼ tsp pepper, ¼ tsp paprika, and 3 tbsp of lemon. Add some chopped tomato if you like. Eat this as is, or with restaurant style tortilla chips, or spread over some toast.

Spruced up Popcorn: I suggest making popcorn the old-fashioned way for this one because the microwave ones tend to have a weird taste (sorry Dr. Orville!). Take a medium saucepan and place in 2 kernels. On medium heat, pour enough oil (any kind except for strong olive oil) to cover the kernels. Cover. Once you hear those kernels pop, add enough kernels to cover the bottom of the pan. Pay attention to the rate of popping –once it slows, take off the heat and pour into a large bowl. While its still hot, add 1 tsp of cayenne pepper, ½ tsp of ground pepper, 1 tsp of salt and 1/3 cup of melted butter. Mix and enjoy!

Dreamy Creamy Dulce de Leche: Ok –I haven’t even tasted this one because I’m not a fan of caramel (sorry!), but everyone I have made it for LOVES it. The name sounds exotic and complicated, but surprisingly, it’s as simple as opening a can, no joke. It’s a dense caramel that you typically find in gourmet restaurants. First thing you do is grab a can of sweetened condensed milk. This shouldn’t be more than $2.00. Place the can, with the label off, in a large pot, with enough water to cover the can, by about a few inches. Boil the can on medium-low heat, covered, then walk away . . . 3 hours later, during which you’ve been studying of course, you’ll return to a luscious caramel. Wait till the can cools before you open! Eat it with ice cream, mix with yogurt or eat it right out of the can (like a certain someone I know ☺). Store it in a container in your fridge and it will last a long time and be useful for those snack attacks.

  Desiree