Having a job that constantly requires us to work long hours or go to several places daily can sometimes make us very hungry. We’re usually in a rush too so we don’t even find the time to prepare something to eat for when we’re on the go or even when we’re just in the office. That said, we help remind you that preparing your snacks is easy and can be really beneficial.
However, just because we’re rushing, doesn’t mean we have to rush the food preparations. We caught up with chef Miko Aspiras at the California Raisin event to give us some tips on making healthy and tasty snacks.
#1 Have a good food stash
Firstly, chef Miko advises that you should have a stash that’ll not spoil easily. “Just keep dry ingredients in dry spots like in the cabinet. Likewise, keep wet ingredients in the chiller,” he says.
#2 Don’t be lazy to make snacks
We always want something that’s readily made so we don’t have to go through the hassle of making something. But chef Miko advises that it’s much cheaper to make your snacks at home, and he’s also found that it’s tastier too. “Snacks like salads, sandwiches, and trail mix are so easy to do,” he says. “It’s also best to make your own because it’s cheap and you know what ingredients you’re using.”
#3 Rushing is bad, too
As mentioned earlier, we’re always in a hurry. However, chef Miko advises that rushing the snack preparation might compromise the flavor. “Sometimes when you’re rushing, you forget to add flavor to the fresh ingredients and it’ll become bland. So it’s best to either take your time or make your snacks in advance,” he advises.
#4 Make something that’s healthy and filling
Quick snacks should be easy to tote around and munch on for when you’re always on-the-go. Trail mix is one of chef Miko’s top snack picks because you can munch on different kinds of nuts and dried fruits, and also feel full as time passes. “When you look at it, trail mix doesn’t look appetizing sometimes. But it’s super healthy and filling,” he says. For days when you want to make it extra special, you can add chunks of dark chocolate.
#5 Dry and fresh ingredients are the best combo
To add texture to your sandwich or salad, chef Miko suggests to use dry ingredients like nuts, fruits, or protein on top of fresh ones. He adds, “Once you have all of it, you can mix the ingredients with something that’s preserved to balance out the flavors.”
#6 Stop your picky eating tendencies
If you’re someone who’s picky about eating vegetables and other food, it’s time you become creative. Since we’re going for healthy snacks, chef Miko says, “[You] have to research on how you can make your food tastier without using any preservatives.” He adds that it’s also good to slowly incorporate veggies that you’re not used to eating to both snacks and your daily meals.
#7 Your container can ruin your snack
The last thing to do when preparing a quick snack is putting it in an easy-to-carry container. When asked if the container can affect a snack’s flavor, chef Miko says yes. “As you know, our country is very humid. It affects the flavor, the freshness, the texture―everything,” he says. “You can put your snacks in a plastic container, but not in plastic bags or in a Ziploc because it might lose its form.” And we don’t want mushy sandwiches, do we?
Art by Dorothy Guya
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