A peek inside Sarah's snack cupboard: Part I

When true snackers feel the need, that need is now. True snackers learn to keep snack stuff on hand.

On hand, for me, means stocking a designated cupboard with treats I'm guaranteed to find satisfying. Staples include:

• nuts (almonds, walnuts, peanuts, etc.)
• seeds (pumpkin, sunflower)
• dried fruit (apricots, dates, figs, raisins)
• trail mix (versions of the above items, only combined)
• dark chocolate (bars or chips).

Other items sometimes make guest appearances, such as:

• veggie chips
• dried peas (wasabi flavor)
• chocolate-covered nuts.

While a handful of any one of these is fab on its own, they are highly mix-and-matchable. Huge variety is possible from from just a few such "building block" items.

This is perfect, as I'll nibble to suit my mood. (Fred is less choosy — all that matters is that he has a full bowl and a spoon.)

Of course, one needn't go whole hog. These items can easily be enjoyed in moderation, as toppers to other snacks. For instance, I regularly get sprinkle-happy when eating cereal, fresh fruit, Greek yogurt or frozen yogurt.

More deets to follow, on another day. Snack-a-doodle-doo.

DIY chocolate fondue

Had a hankering for some chocolatey goodness, so on a whim, Fred cobbled together a fondue kit.

Step 1: He gathered some hardware.

 

That was it. Just castoffs, really. A ceramic bowl, a tea candle and a wire coathanger.

Then, Step 2: he set it up. Like this:

As you can see, Fred merely cut and coiled the wire so that it supported the bowl just above the candle. Nothing to it, but wire snips and pliers helped.

Finally, Step 3: We tossed a few squares of dark chocolate into the bowl and lit the candle. Three minutes later, we were twirling chunks of fresh fruit in the melted chocolate.



We went with pear and apple, but you can dip pretty much whatever you wish. Bliss.

Hey, if you get a hankering — or wanna impress your friends — you too can be like my personal handyman Fred and just fonDO it.