Snack time

Let's take a moment and have some snack time. Who doesn't like snacks? Crisp chips, sweet crunchy and melt-in-the-mouth biscuits, chocolate, amongst others. I love my snacks and I always have many snacks on hand, which is, I know, a bad habit. Like the saying goes, though, you live only once, so why not? I love snacking on chips and chocolate. They have recently introduced sweet potato chips and I am seriously enjoying them far too much. Otherwise I am really into matcha sweet. There is something so special about green tea flavour. Also, popcorn has become the 'new' snack it seems. I mean they are quite nice. These are recent snack findings. I find it so funny how some brand always come with new flavours. I mean what's not to like, but some taste really bad or strange. Anyway keep snacking. #smallpleasuresoflife

These roll cookies are crisp, light and very addictive. 

Matcha goodies- chocolate and cookies- YUM

Sweet potato chips and chia crisps - all super nice

New flavours of the month:

Magnum with amaretto- I love the icecream flavour, but the chocolate coating was too thin to my liking

Snacktime

I am not sure what's happening, but I am becoming an avid snack eater. I know it's no good for my health (anyone's really), but it grows as a bad habit. I'm trying to eat more wholesome food to sustain myself from slipping away into indulgence. Easier said than done. The sad thing with snacks is that once you start, it's hard to keep your hand off the delicate crisps, sweet biscuits, decadent chocolate and what not. It's almost impossible to refrain full stop. I am probably exaggerating, but I do feel sometimes snacks are quite addictive and alluring. The last in mind is the sweet and salty popcorn which I nearly finish within a few minutes #guilty. 

Well, I have been pairing meals with 'healthier' snacks such as dried fruits (apricots-my favourite) and mixed nuts (walnut, almond, cashew). I also have an apple on occasion (because as per the saying goes: an apple a day keeps the doctor away). It does not make it better, but at least I am gaining some more nutritional value. I think it is perfectly fine to indulge once in a while, it's not biggie and won't hard. However, it should not become a habit. Self-control and restraint is something to be learnt. I think I am mostly targeting myself in this case.

Anyway, these are some of my latest findings and treats. 

Snacktime

This is another random snack time post. Essentially these are a few purchases from the shops perfect for a snack time, to hold back any major sweet cravings or keep your energy levels going before lunch or dinner time. Basically, it's for a quick fix to any growling stomach and to hold any hunger. So we've got biscuits, chocolate, mochi, nuts, buns and doughnuts.  If you however do not want to go for pre-made food or sometimes sickly sweet biscuits, feel free to make some raw dates balls, which is one healthy energy booster.

Praline coated popcorn

Yesterday the new SBS food network channel was launched. I got to see so many cooking shows. I think it's such a great move for people like me. So far, I have watched Giada at Home, Rachael Ray’s 30 Minute Meals and Reza: Spice Prince of Vietnam. All seem to be great shows. 

In Giada at Home, I came across some pizza popcorn and it gave me some inspiration to make my own popcorn at home- which I did. I bought some popping corn, and looked for some recipes online. These are actually so easy to make and I cannot believe I only tried making them just now. They are really 'popped' corn.

I had some praline from Morish nuts and decided to use that instead of making my own caramel sauce, which turned out great. Essentially, you only need 3 ingredients, which made the job even more easy. I shall try some savoury popcorn next time, maybe some butter and herbs flavoured ones.

Recipe 

For the popcorn:
1/3 cup corn
2 tbs oil

For the praline:
75g praline
2-3 tbs water

Method:
1.In a small pan, heat up the praline.
2. Once hot, pour the water and bring up to boil and let to cool.

3 Heat oil in a heavy base pan
4. When hot, try popping 1 corn. Once it pops up nicely, put all the remaining corn in the pan and the lid on. You should hear the corn popping. it's only a matter of seconds. Shake the pan a little.
5. Once all corns are done (you won't hear any sounds), stir in the praline mix and mix well, still with the heat on.
6. Once coated, turn of the heat and let cool in the pan for a few minutes.
7. Transfer to an air tight container and enjoy.

These are really crunchy, with just that little hint of sweetness which make it so tasty. You definitely want to try this.

Sugary praline bubbling away

Just popped

With caramel coated

Honey Joys

Alright be prepared for a massive posting about right now (that is, starting from this post). Yes, I mean it. I'm definitely catching up on all my due posts because nothing's worst than leaving this year's cooking to 2014. Right. Also since it's Summer Solstice today, the longest night of the year, there are no excuses. Bring it on. To begin with I'm posting on a few sweet treats, starting with some honey joys. I discover these from my volunteer trip to Busselton last October and enjoyed it so much. I looked up for the recipe (didn't even know what they were called- I happen to search for honey bites - good to know I was not far from its true name) only to realise that not only is it so easy to make, but quite popular as well. Hard to believe that I only tried it there for the first time, just to emphasise on how much there is to yet explore and experience. So like I just mentioned these honey joys are super sweet and tasty and so perfect for snack times.

 

 

Recipe (adapted from Kellogg's cornflakes)

Ingredients:
90g butter
1/4 cup sugar
2 tbs honey
4 cups corn flakes

Method:
Preheat 150 degrees.
Melt butter. sugar and honey together in a saucepan until frosty.
Stir in the corn flakes and coat well.
Spoon into paper cups (approx 20) and bake for 10 minutes.
Allow to cool. Enjoy