The Gourmet Mama

We all know that kids aren’t the only ones who need to have snacks throughout the day. Here are a list of easy to pack snacks that you can take with you for when you are waiting for ballet class or soccer practise to be over, so that you can make it through the day. I don’t know about you but I’m awfully grumpy by dinner if I don’t have a snack halfway through the afternoon.

1. Yoghurt cups

2. Veggies - one of my favorite way to pack veggies is to chop up a bunch the night before and put them in a little tupperware container with a drizzle of salad dressing. Then you shake it all up so that they are all coated and by the morning its mixed with the juices for a scrumptious and delicious treat.

3. an apple

4. granola bars

5. grapes - these stuck in a little ziplock bag are perfect for taking with you places.

6. leftover pizza…ok, I know its not the healthiest, but thats what I had for a snack today so I’m putting it in here.

7. banana

8. muffin

9. mixed nuts

10. A V8 juice…very tasty and very healthy!

Happy snacking!!!

If you ever want to find a quick and easy dessert to whip up last minute to impress company or just your kids, Banana Cream Pie is the best way to go. You can get most of the supplies way ahead of time and have them waiting there for you when you need a quick sugar fix and you can get it all put together in less than five minutes! How’s that for a fast dessert? Here’s what you need.

1 pre made crumb pie crust

1 package instant banana pudding (you can substitute chocolate pudding if you are a chocoholic)

1 cup milk

1 large or two small bananas

1 can of whipped cream (if you are ambitious, you can make it from scratch instead)

optional chocolate syrup for decoration

Now all you have to do is put it all together. Mix the milk and pudding mix together as described on package.  Pour into pie crust and even out with a spoon…only use your tongue to even it out if the pie is to be consumed only by you.  Peel and slice banana and sprinkle over pudding. Top with whipped cream and drizzle chocolate syrup over top. Ta Da!!! A perfectly quick and easy Banana Cream Pie.

Photo by Noonch

There is a potluck lunch at work tomorrow and being as busy as I am, I completly forgot about it until late tonight. I have the reputation of always coming with one of those dishes that everyone wants the recipe for so I had to come up with something that they would all love. After a quick stop at the grocery store, I decided on my famous quick and easy bruchetta.

Bruchetta is a salad that consists mainly of tomatoes and feta cheese and makes a great appetizer, side salad or a topping to anything bland such as a lettuce salad or chicken. There are many complicated recipes out there but mine has been tried and tested and developed into a super simple recipe…mainly from lack of money, ingredients and patience, but nevertheless, it is one of the best bruchetta’s around!

Quick and Easy Bruchetta

3-4 medium tomatoes

1 clove garlic chopped

small handful cilantro, chopped

1/2 cup feta cheese, drained and crumbled (I like to use sundried tomato feta but plain works too)

Chop tomatoes into 1/2 inch dice. Add garlic, cilantro and feta cheese. Mix together. Yup…it’s that simple! You can serve on toast, as a salad, spoon onto chicken or pork chops.