5 PM Hunger Pangs!!

Here we are, working hard for 8 hrs and you come home to what......"the 5PM hunger pangs" :-) Its that time of the day when its too early for dinner and a light snack is all we need to stave off hunger till dinner time. A quick option is the vending machine, if available or the snack in a packet which may not always be healthy. This blog is all about a few relatively healthy snacks that can be conjured up in just a few minutes. Make it ahead of time, freeze it and voila... you have a snack in less than 10 min.

Keeping up my promise of giving more recipes using mint pesto, here's a snack/appetizer that is easy to make, healthy but delicious. Any bread that you have on hand will work and for a more classic touch a baguette may be used.

Bruschetta with Mint pesto
Ingredients:
6 slices of multi grain bread (any kind would do)
Mint pesto
Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Method:

1. Spread each slice with generous amount of mint pesto.
2. Sprinkle with cheese (salt and pepper if required).
3. Toast in a 400F pre-heated oven for 5-8 min or until golden brown and cheese is melted.
4. Cut into pieces and serve warm.

Corn Meal Appam (Savory appam)

I used a non-stick appam pan that I hauled all the way from India. Little did I know that it is available in many stores for around 20 dollars, only that it is called Aebleskiver pan rather than an appam pan.

Ingredients:
1 cup corn meal
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 small onion
2 green chillies, finely chopped
1 tsp cumin (Jeera)
1 tsp fennel (saunf)
1 tsp red chilli powder (optional)
3/4 cup buttermilk or as required
2 tbsp cashew nuts or peanuts
salt to taste

Method:

1. Mix all the ingredients well. Add buttermilk as necessary to get a thick batter.
2. Heat an appam pan and grease well with oil (Normally just a few drops in each slot is just sufficient).
3. Pour batter in each slot and cook on a medium heat for few min or until one side is browned.
4. Turn over to the other side and cook until golden brown.
5. Serve with tomato ketchup or chutney.

Happy munching :-)