Snacks

Amy of Simply Sugar and Gluten Free is doing a round up today of snacks. So I thought I would get this posted really quick, and link you over there.

I've decided I have two categories of snacks. Snacks that are for when I am away or traveling, and snacks for when I am at home or at work. Some things transfer of course, but some travel less well.

Away Snacks

Fruit - Apples travel really well

Dried fruit - raisins, dates, prunes, apricots, figs

Nuts - almonds and cashews are my favorites

Fruit Leather - I always get the Archer Farms/Target brand

LaraBars

NutThins - I only like the Almond and Pecan kind, although they keep coming out with more varieties

Home/Work Snacks

Hummus with crudite (secretly I have always wanted to use that word) or NutThins

Peanut or Almond butter on apples or celery or a spoon

Fruit or Veggies

Muffins - I am a huge fan of muffins, as you can see here, here, here, and here

Yogurt (this is a dessert for me)

Applesauce

Black Bean "Hummus" Dip

I'm on a new diet regime and I shouldn't be eating garbanzo beans. But I was feeling deprived, so I decided to invent a hummus with black beans. I couldn't decide if it would taste good with tahini, so I used an avocado instead (creaminess factor).

1 can rinsed black beans

1/2 ripe avocado

1 bunch cilantro

1 tbs lime juice

1 1/2 tbs olive oil

1 tsp sea salt

Dump everything in the food processor and pulse. If your hummus is too thick add a tablespoon of water.

Food Processor

Last night was a food processor night.

First I used it to make fresh pesto. A friend at work brought in a huge bag of basil from her garden. It looks way better than mine, so she shared a bit with me.

Pesto
Fill the bowl of the food processor with fresh basil leaves.
Add a handful or two of grated Parmesan cheese.
Add a 1/4 teaspoon of garlic.
Add a teaspoon of salt.
Start pulsing the food processor. Drizzle in olive oil.
You need enough olive oil to make it a liquid-ish/saucy consistency.

I served the pesto over pasta, then added a few pieces of chopped tomato from my garden and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.

Secondly I used the food processor to make hummus. I found this recipe. At first I was doubtful about actually making hummus cheaper than buying it, because the tahini costs about $6 per jar. But I decided to try it.

Following the recipe exactly made enough hummus to fill one of my rectangular gladware containers really really full. That is at least twice as much hummus as I get when I buy it at the grocery store for $3.69 per container. So I decided it is cheaper to make it. And it tastes good.

But the next time I make it, I will do a half batch, because it was a little overwhelming for my little food processor.