EASY PEASY (Snacks and Standbys)

Member Name: Wee_Jackie_163

Product:	Snacks and Standbys
Date:	25/03/09 (89 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Quick, easy

Disadvantages: Probably not enough for an actual meal... just a snack really!

I have an illness which affects my stomach, my immune system, and (rather unfortunately as I love food) my appetite. Therefore, I often need reminding or encouraged to eat, or to eat a 'proper' amount of food, the right type of food, or indeed, any food at all that isn't yoghurt!

For this reason, I often cook snacks or smaller meals for myself, or my lovely other half will make them for me, if I am too tired or having one of my bad days. I very seldom have the appetite to cope with a huge plateful of food, and find it off-putting to say the least. A small bowl of soup followed by a sandwich is my normal evening meal, sometimes just the soup is enough, and I find that after a while I get so bored or fed up with eating this all the time, that I go off it completely and my poor other half is flapping about in a panic because I show no inclination to try and eat something else. (I should point out at this time that another side-effect of my illness is rather dramatic weight loss, and at the moment, I am doing well and am only about half a stone underweight.)

Anyhow, I thought it might be useful to share a few of my little "snack" recipes, which to be honest, are more like my evening meal most of the time. Saying that, I have used some of them at parties, or when guests are visiting, and they have all been well received. See what you think....


*~* CHEESY MUSHROOMS ON TOAST *~* (COOKING TIME: 10 MINS)

INGREDIENTS (serves 1)

one tin of creamed mushrooms
two slices of crusty bread
grated cheese
pinch of mixed herbs
black pepper

1. Empty tin of mushrooms into a pan and heat slowly.
2. Place sliced bread under grill until lightly toasted and grate cheese.
3. Season mushroom mixture to taste, i like it with plenty of black pepper and some herbs added.
4. Spread the heated mushroom mixture onto your bread and sprinkle the grated cheese on top.
5. Pop topped bread back under the grill until cheese melts. Delicious!
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*~* EASY PEASY NACHOS *~* (TIME: 10 MINS)

INGREDIENTS (serves 1)

Small/regular bag of doritos or other tortilla chips
Spoonful of salsa
Handful of grated cheese
Spoonful of sour cream to taste

1. Spread the tortilla chips onto a plate and spread the salsa over them
2. Sprinkle the grated cheese over the top (I like lots!) :-D
3. Pop under the grill until the cheese has melted and top with some sour cream for dipping.... Yum! :-D
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*~* QUICK LEEK AND POTATO SOUP *~* (TIME: 15-20 MINS)

INGREDIENTS (will make a pot of soup)

one leek
a large potato
stock of your choice (I like vegetable with this)
Small piece of onion

1. Wash the leek and cut into small pieces.
2. Peel and dice the potato.
3. Peel and dice the onion, and fry slowly in a small amount of oil over a very low heat, until lightly golden (do not cook too quickly or you won't get the same flavour).
4. Add the potato to the onion and some stock and boil for few minutes.
5. Add the leek and continue to boil, seasoning with salt and pepper to your taste (I like lots of black pepper).
5. Continue to simmer until your potato is soft to the touch and your leek is cooked.
6. Blend the soup if preffered. A small dash of cream can be added as a garnish, although I prefer it without. Enjoy!
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*~* TUNA PASTA *~* (TIME: 10-15 MINS)

INGREDIENTS (serves 2)

Handful of pasta (per person) (I like macaroni but you could probably use any)
A red onion
One tin of tuna (drained)
Salad cream or mayonnaise
seasoning to taste

1. Cook the pasta
2. Stir pasta and tuna together in a large bowl.
3. Chop the onion finely and add to the mixture.
4. Add plenty of mayo or salad cream, and combine until all the ingredients are coated
5. Season to taste and chill in the fridge for at least half an hour
(This is a huge hit at buffets and parties alike, and so quick to make!!)
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*~* CHEAT'S CHEESY GRATIN *~* (TIME: 15 MINS)

INGREDIENTS (serves 1)

Handful of frozen broccoli
Handful of frozen Cauliflower
Packet of cheese sauce mix (usually requires milk and butter to make)
Handful of homemade breadcrumbs (Stale bread works best)
Spoonful of mustard to taste
Handful of grated cheese
Seasoning

1. Cook the vegetables together (I find it quickest to do this in the microwave, but these can also be cooked earlier in the day, and left until needed)
2. Meanwhile, make the cheese sauce, following the instructions on the packet and stir in your mustard and season to taste.
3. Mix the vegetables and sauce together in a large bowl or pot, coating them evenly.
4. Place the mixture into a casserole dish, or similar ovenproof dish, and spread evenly.
5. Spread the breadcrumbs over the top evenly, and finish off with the grated cheese.
6. Pop under the grill until the breadcrumbs are golden and the cheese melted.... delicious!

Hopefully these snack suggestions of mine have given you a few tips for a quick and easy snack. The gratin is not only quick and easy but is very cheap to make, and as long as you watch the amount of added cheese, is still fairly nutritious, and provides two of your recommended "five-a-day" portions of veg. It's a huge hit anytime I make it for friends.

Summary: Some easy little snack ideas :-D