Okay, okay. I know I promised an entry filled with wonderful vegan goodies, but this will have to be a two parter. In this part, I'll tell you why making your own snacks will save you money and what my favorites are. Tomorrow, I'll have more stuff to share.
I used to live for convenience eating. I'd buy a bunch of energy bars, dried soups, frozen burgers, and all that other good stuff. It was so draining on my pocket. I'm not going to lie and say that I make snacks all the time. I've always been super envious of people with enough initiative to cook a bunch of stuff on one day. Things always seem to get in the way when I try to do that...like the internet and television and my supreme procrastination.
But it seriously saves tons of money to make your own stuff. Take a granola bar. If you've got a decent price, you are paying a dollar for it. Now, buy some oats in bulk, throw in some bulk fruits and nuts, and you probably paid less than a dollar for an entire pan of granola bars. It speaks for itself.
Today I made some pesto white bean hummus and plantain bread (not pictured). I love having hummus on hand because it's so completely versatile. I can have it in a sandwich or use it in hot pasta, among other things. The bread was a way to use up some overripe plantains. It's got a different flavor than banana bread. I like it! I often keep muffins and breads on hand for a quick breakfast or an easy snack. I hate waiting to cook something if I'm hungry. Having access to snacks means that I won't feel the need for huge portions later.
Best Snacks to Make At Home
- granola and granola bars
- muffins
- bagels
- soups/broths
- seitan
- burgers
- sausages
- cutlets
- bread
- hummus/dips
- waffles/pancakes
Wow. This list is making me want to spend Sunday stocking my already packed freezer! More to come tomorrow. Squee! We're half way done! I can't wait until next week. It is going to be AWESOME!
13 comments:
Yes! Snacks and dips are so expensive to keep buying from the shops. I love making my own dip now. And I hope to make some crackers and bars as well.
That hummus looks amazing! I really should try to make my own hummus. That I can see doing. It makes sense in my head. But... you make your own granola bars? Really?! People do that?? I actually never knew, if you can believe it. I'm fascinated. Largely because commercial granola bars make me angry. (If you ever see a girl in a grocery store holding a box of them yelling, "you are made of nothing but whey and sugar and sawdust!", well, that's probly me.
I always try to make my own things like hummus and pasta sauces and cakes and biscuits etc etc. Not only does it save me a heap of euros but I know exactly what's gone into things and I HATE artifical anything that you get in store bought things.
Great post Mo.
:)
I love snacks! I try to make my own stuff, but it can get really hard when things get busy. I used to be really good about it - I'd always have homemade granola bars in the freezer and stuff like that. I can't wait for your snack post!
Somehow I always end up buying snacks, another reason why I shouldn't shop when I'm hungry. I would love to make my own snacks at home but I never seem to find the time. Lately, I've been eating fruit as a snack. :-)
Before I go searching through your entire blog, Mo, can you recommend any good granola recipes? I would LOVE to make my own--for the freshness AND for the money I would save! Please share!
snack really do add up. i can't believe we've never made our own granola bars - totally making a point too. i always forget that you can make 'n freeze waffles & pancakes - and having some muffins around sounds perfect for an on-the-go breakfast. mmmmmmm! dan loves snacking on veggies & i think making a batch of hummus each week would be a stellar addition. thanks for all the awesome ideas, Monique!
Laura Jill-I've made a raw one before but don't remember where. I plan to try Jen's and this gem from Ina Garten.
Thank you so much, Mo, for both links! I'll check them both out!
Mmmmm....not having snacks and quick bites around is my biggest problem. I have two little picky, noshy kids, and you never know when they'll only want a bite of this and a bite of that. Thanks for the snack list. Now I gotta get to work making some snacks!
Faith
I keep all those things :) I also keep a bag of popcorn and some homemade parma around. it really helps. lately i've been making raw bars and throwin' 'em in the freezer too. not only are snacks expensive; but if you don't keep them around you'll probably over eat! i've been on a kick where i make a butt load of food on Sundays and just hope it lasts until Thursday; when i'm done working for the week.
I'm all about taking a day to stock the freezer. While the bread machine's making burger bun dough (followed by pizza dough, then regular ol' sandwich bread) you can have the black beans cooking for a week's worth of soup. It just takes jumping in, I think, and finding the rhythm. Like in dry weather, breaking out the dehydrator and loading up on fruit leather--those things are crazy expensive, and what does it take? Whizzing up some fruit and apple sauce then pouring it into trays...five minutes of work.
Lacey-I really think I'm going to start doing that. I did a little by making my own veg broth and freezing it. I think I'm going to be doing that with pesto either today or tomorrow. And I love to make raw parm and keep it in the freezer. So delicious!
Vegtasticvoyage-I completely admire that. I'm gonna try to focus and do that this weekend.
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