I have to admit, I love this idea. And I had it many moons ago, well before the medical and nutrition communities started recommending a big breakfast / small supper eating regimen. Maybe now is the time for the ‘Snacks for Supper’ concept to shine!
I don’t mean hors d’oeuvres or appet-izers. Nor do I mean salty, fatty, or sugary snacks that have lately come into ill repute over their contributions to a host of global scourges including obesity, heart disease, cancer and autoimmune disorders.
I’m talking stuff like healthy tacos and nachos, fruit and veggie-based treats, and simple concoctions that lend them-selves to preparation in single servings.
Then, this post headline jumped out at me…
I had not heard of food and nutrition authority Colu Henry, nor her third cook-book, before reading a post that posited the notion of snacks for supper almost as an afterthought… But I’m going to be reading more of her literary contributions from now on.
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Canada’s National Post recently declared Better at Home by Colu Henry its cookbook of the week.
Among the offerings therein is a collection of suggestions for ‘snacks’ that can be laid out as a sort of buffet supper. It’s a timely, healthy and enticing concept that has the blessing of the medical and nutritional sectors.
“Opting for lighter suppers offers several health and lifestyle benefits, making it a popular choice for evening meals,” Google AI finds:
Primary reasons for lighter suppers include:
Improved Digestion and Sleep: Consuming a large, heavy meal late at night can cause discomfort, bloating, and indigestion, which may disrupt sleep. Lighter, easier-to-digest meals allow the body to rest properly rather than working hard on digestion during the night.
Higher Energy Levels
Weight Management: While some research suggests that a large breakfast and light dinner do not inherently burn more calories, choosing lighter dinners often helps manage total daily calorie intake, preventing unnecessary calorie storage.
Higher Energy Levels: Eating lighter in the evening can lead to waking up feeling more refreshed and energized rather than sluggish or bloated.
Seasonal Adjustment: In warmer weather, lighter cooking methods (steaming, grilling, raw) and foods feel more satisfying and refreshing than heavy, hot meals.
Simplicity the core motivator…
Henry sums up her cooking and dining philosophy summarily: “The idea [is] that easy food can be elegant and that simple doesn’t have to be boring. It can be sophisticated, and there are ways to make things feel special without having to be fussy.”
The concept of snacks for supper followed as a natural extension of that mindset.
Some menu suggestions…
Among Henry’s own favourite lighter snacks-for-supper ideas you’ll find:
Battered Pecorino Cutlets (Pictured above, left…)
My take
I’ve tried several recipes from Purewow.com. And they rock! What’s more, they’re simple and they work. Here’s a quick list of their snacks that I think would definitely go great in a suppertime ensemble…
Some of my personal-fave, more-substantial snacks include:
Make your own Tortilla Chips by wedging fresh corn tortillas from the store and baking them at 400 F until crispy. And/or serve your fave crackers, crisps and flatbreads on the side…
You’re probably already thinking of other delicacies you can include on a supper ‘buffet’. Just go for it!
~ Maggie J.