Easy snack recipes to try when you’re bored

by Kate Shackelford
Amidst the ongoing stay-home situation we find ourselves in these days, I think a lot of us are getting pretty restless. We miss school and friends and family. Taking on a new hobby just seems like too much work. Go-to meals are getting boring. If you are currently staring into your fridge or pantry, wondering what on earth to eat, never fear! Below, I have shared a couple of my favorite snacks at the moment that will hopefully inspire you to get creative in your own kitchen. ​

Edamame Hummus

Most Delicious Energy Bites

Edamame Hummus 

• 1 package (1 ½ cups) frozen shelled edamame 
• ⅓ cup water 
• ⅓ cup tahini
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp sesame oil 
• Juice of 1 lemon 
• 2 garlic cloves 
• ½ tsp cumin 
• 1 tsp salt 
• ½ tsp pepper 
• Sesame seeds to garnish  

Boil the edamame in a medium pot for 3 minutes. Strain and set aside to cool for 5 minutes. In a blender, add the edamame, water, tahini, olive oil and sesame oil and blend for 2 minutes. Then, add the lemon juice (make sure there are no seeds!), garlic, cumin, salt and pepper and blend again for 4-5 minutes. The key to extra smooth hummus is to blend for a long time! Pour into a shallow bowl and sprinkle a few sesame seeds on top. Enjoy with pita, pretzels and veggies or spread it on a wrap. Store in the fridge in an airtight container. 

The Most Delicious Energy Bites 

• ⅔ cup creamy peanut butter 
• 1 cup old fashioned oats 
• ½ cup flax seeds 
• 2 tbsp honey
• ⅓ cup dark chocolate chips 
• ⅓ cup unsweetened shredded coconut 

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl. Roll into balls. If the mixture looks a little dry and does not stick together easily, add a little more honey or peanut butter. (To support local businesses during this time of uncertainty, you could use Thistle&Bee or Wolf River honey!) It should make about 13 balls, but I ate some of the batter, so I ended up with 12. Store in the fridge in an airtight container. I usually have a couple bites as an afternoon snack paired with some fresh berries.

You can do a lot with very little. Even if your family has not been able to go to the grocery in a few weeks, there are still many meals and snacks you can make with staple ingredients. Take, for example, the energy bite recipe above. All you really need is a nut butter, some sort of honey or nectar/syrup and some dry ingredients. You can take that recipe as inspiration and adjust it to fit whatever ingredients you have on hand. So, I encourage you to take a look in your pantry with fresh eyes and let your culinary creativity go wild.