Super Simple Snack

Everyone enjoys a bit of picking, noshing, snacking, grazing. Especially my family. While I find nothing wrong with little meals, I sometimes find that what is available for snacking is not all that healthy. Chips are satisfying I won't argue with that. The salty crunch and fantastic fat content makes them near irresistible. But I just can't do it. I can't keep a nice crinkly, inflated bag on hand for them to tear into. When they do slip past my keen nutrition senses and make it in the house, the larger than life bag only lasts for mere hours.

I have recently tried to whip up more snacks for them. Of course I coax them into fruits, veggies, yogurt and the like, but I do understand the need for a crunchy sort of salty nibble. My favorite growing up was Funions. Oh how I loved those with a bottle of New York Seltzer Water - Peach. Remember that drink? My favorite snack of all time would have to be a tortilla with a bit of butter heated for 10 seconds in the microwave. I have a certain profile of tortilla for this, but I won't go in to that. What's your favorite snack?

I like just plain nuts of any kind, but I thought perhaps the masses would enjoy some kicked up fanciness in theirs. Enter - tamari almonds. These are so simple with minimum ingredients but are extremely addicting. I first saw this recipe in a pretty good cook book I have, Vegetarian Slow Cooker. I've since seen similar, but I sort of tweak a few things, and I don't feel like bending down to pull out my slow cooker and the oven works great.



Tamari Almonds

• 2 cups raw almonds
• 2 Tablespoons Tamari sauce (you can use soy, but I use Tamari because it is gluten free)
• 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1-2 shakes of cayenne pepper

Toss the almonds and other ingredients together. Spread out on a lined baking sheet (I LOVE my silpat). Bake in oven on 375 for about 6-8 minutes. Watch them, if your oven runs hot these babies could burn quick.



I send these off to work with my love to keep him out of the vending machine. These would pair so nicely on a cheese plate with a nice sharp cheese and some dried apricots. Or with a beer and ball game, or hiking, or road trips, or Tuesdays when you're at your computer checking out baby gear when you should be working. Get to work!