snacks Archives - Just J.Faye

Sweet and Salty Snack Mix (Highly Addictive!!)

December 22, 2015 by Jenna

I’m sorry.

This snack mix.

It’s sweet. It’s salty. It’s snack mix. It’s sweet and salty snack mix… and it’s ridiculously addicting.

That’s why I need to apologize.

A combination of pretzels, Fritos, Chex, and nuts are coated with a caramely mix of butter, brown sugar, and honey to make this delicious and sinful treat.

My mom’s friend Brenda introduced this sweet and salty snack mix to us. I praise and curse her name every time I have it. So good, but so bad.

I mean, look at it! I die.

The fact that this recipe is absurdly easy to make doesn’t help the situation either. In less than 10 minutes you will have this glorious mix cooling on your table and will have already figured out that the Fritos are your favorite part. But you’ll keep testing to see if maybe, just maybe, the pretzels are your favorite.

(they aren’t)

After this cools immediately pack it up and bring it to a party. You won’t be able to trust yourself alone with it.

I’ve learned this the hard way. Many times.

Sweet and Salty Snack Mix

Prep time

6 mins

Total time

6 mins

Warning: This sweet & salty snack mix is highly addictive! It’s also super easy to make and is great for a crowd. It's the perfect snack to bring to your next party!

Ingredients

6 cups Chex cereal
6 cups pretzels
5 cups Fritos
2 ½ cups mixed roasted nuts (or a nut of your choice)
1 cup butter
½ cup honey (or Karo syrup)
2 cups brown sugar

Instructions

In a large bowl combine the Chex, pretzels, Fritos, and nuts.
In a medium microwavable bowl, add the butter, honey, and brown sugar. Microwave for about 3 minutes, stirring half-way through then pour over the dry mixture and stir well.
Dump the snack mix on wax paper (or foil) to cool.

Almond Joy Energy Bites – A Post on Minneapolis Running

April 15, 2015 by Jenna

Today I did a post over on Minneapolis Running! I wrote all about these amazing and delicious Almond Joy Energy Bites and the benefits of eating healthy fats.

All you need to make these Almond Joy Energy Bites are 6 ingredients (that you already probably have in your pantry!) and a food processor. They are simple to make and packed full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber, and healthy fats. Not to mention, they are so, SO good!

Head over to Minneapolis Running to get the recipe –> Almond Joy Energy Bites Recipe

After checking out the recipe, make sure to poke around Minneapolis Running if you haven’t been there before. It’s a great resource to learn about running. I especially love this article about running with a heart rate monitor and this one about lactate threshold training. The site is also full of great information about running gear, running in Minneapolis, races, recipes, and lots of other interesting things, like City Running Tours for example.

Plantain Chips

August 22, 2014 by Jenna

I’m backkkkkk from Costa Rica. And within approximately 12 hours of landing in Minneapolis I had a batch of homemade plantain chips in the oven.

Why? BECAUSE THEY ARE SO GOOD. And I missed them. And they are super easy to make.

Plantain chips were our snack of choice in Costa Rica. You know, something to tie us over when hunger struck at the beach or during our 20 minute drive home from the grocery store. I wouldn’t say we were obsessed, but I’m pretty positive we bought at least one bag every time we stopped at the grocery store, which was approximately every 2-3 days. However, they were small bags. Sometimes we shared with each other, but sometimes we just bought our own.

I love going to grocery stores when I travel. It’s like a whole new world of brands and snacks. I thoroughly enjoy them here in Minnesota too, but international grocery shopping is just way more interesting. Plus, if I’m at an international grocery store it means I’m travelling somewhere, which is just fun in general.

I’ve always enjoyed plantains, but I fell in love with them in Puerto Rico (Mofongo? So delicious). However, I never buy or cook plantains back in Minnesota. Out of sight, out of mind, I guess. This may need to change (and basically already has), because Costa Rica reignited my love.

After getting back home (where my refrigerator was completely empty apart from condiments) I needed to make a desperate trip to the grocery store. I bought plantains for the first time ever. Then I made some plantain chips and chowed down on them while I pretended I was back in Costa Rica.

Plantains look like bananas, just like you may look like one of your siblings. Similar, but different.I purchased the sweeter yellow variety, but if you prefer the savory side of things, go for the greener ones.

They are so simple to make. Just toss some plantain slices with melted coconut oil, layer them on a baking sheet, and put them in the oven.

The difficult part is trying to resist eating them all instantly. However, they do taste best same day because they lose some of the crispiness factor overnight. So don’t resist too hard, I guess.

I think these would be really good with some additional seasonings sprinkled on too. Maybe some cinnamon or chili powder? I’m going to that next time. Because there will be a next time. A lot of next times.

As a bonus, plantains are great sources of fiber, beta-carotene, calcium, and vitamin c, sooooo… eat up!

Plantain Chips

Prep time

2 mins

Cook time

40 mins

Total time

42 mins

These are inspired by my recent trip to Costa Rica. A crunchy, little bit sweet, little bit savory treat. They are best eaten the day of, so snack away!

Serves: 2-4

Ingredients

2 plantains
2 tablespoons melted coconut oil

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Slice plantains, no more than ¼-inch thick.
Add plantain slices and coconut oil in a bowl. Stir until all the slices are completely covered.
Spread plantains on a baking sheet.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, flip the slices, and continue to bake for another 15-20 minutes or until you reach your desired crunchiness.

Notes

I used sweet plantains, but go for the green ones for more of a savory taste!

One day when I get my life in order I will talk more about Costa Rica (side note: IT WAS AMAZINGGG!!!!) and post some pictures. But until that day comes I hope you make a batch of these and pretend you are on a beautiful beach.