Easy and Healthy Snack Ideas

Well-balanced and nutritious meals are the key to good health and the same holds true for snacks as well. In the information age when people need to work round the clock, health tends to take a backseat due to a lack of time. But there is nothing to worry as one has the option of having healthy frozen and ready-to-eat snacks that can be prepared conveniently in no time. So whether you are at work or at home, these food commodities are just the perfect way to manage health.

Today, a large variety of ready-to-eat and frozen snacks are available in the market that are delicious and can be made in a matter of minutes. Frozen soups, taco fillings, tortilla chips, ready-to-eat burgers etc are some of the snacks that are healthy and fulfilling. All of them taste as good as home-made food and are fresh and authentic; at par with the fresh food that we buy from the groceries. 

Following are some snack ideas that can come in handy for having a wholesome meal on the go:

• Sandwiches make for a wonderful meal. All that is required is bread or subs and you can easily stuff them with fillings that are available in the market. Avocado, corns, green vegetables, frozen meats; dress them with a sauce or dressing of your choice and you are on your way to have a healthy sandwich.
• Frozen soups can be used as another snacking option. They are free from harmful chemicals and preservatives and can be prepared in no time. A soup is a whole meal in itself and the health benefits it offers are huge. A soup also provides an individual with the required intake of veggies that are a must for good health.
• Crunchy tortilla chips made from corn tortillas are yet another snacking option. They can be had whenever you are in the mood for munching. But care should be taken that they are consumed in moderation. Excess of anything can be bad after all.
• Fruits are known to work wonders for health. A fresh fruit salad or a fruit juice is nutritious and is great for skin and overall health as well. Fruits are best when consumed in the raw form. Couple them with honey and some dry fruits and a delicious and healthy snack is ready.

These snacking ideas are very effective and save a lot of precious time. Besides, they are easy on the pocket. The materials to be used are easily available in the market and do not cost much. So go and indulge yourself in healthy snacking. 

Making Delicious Hot Dogs At Home

The American hot dog is a hit all over the world. It has been estimated that Americans eat more than 20 billion hot dogs in a year. A hot dog is known by many names like frankfurter, wiener or bologna. Hot dogs are prepared with a variety of ingredients. Generally, hot dogs are made of lamb, chicken, beef, pork, turkey or tofu (for the vegetarians). The seasonings may include coriander, garlic, ground mustard, nutmeg, salt, sugar, and white pepper. The fat content also varies in the hot dogs depending on whether the meat is with or without skin. A hot dog can be as small as 2 inches or big like the popular foot-long hot dogs.

The frankfurter is supposed to have originated in Frankfurt, Germany. During the 1850s, the Germans used to make thick, soft, and fatty sausages which are now called ‘franks’. It seems that during the latter half of the eighteenth century, the German immigrants used to sell hot dogs along with milk rolls and sauerkraut, from pushcarts in New York City's Bowery.

In America, every region has its own style of making the hot dog. The hot dog that you will find in a New York sidewalk cart consists of nothing fancy. Just brown mustard and onions cooked in tomato paste are used as the extra ingredients in these hot dogs. On the other hand, in some areas you will find hot dogs adorned with melted cheese, sauerkraut or coleslaw.

Nowadays it is very easy to have hot dogs sitting in the comfort of our homes. Ready-to-eat and frozen hot dogs are readily available in the market. Hot dogs can be safely stored in a sealed packet  for 2 weeks in the refrigerator. Frozen hot dogs can be stored for about 1 or 2 months.  These hot dogs are cooked before packaging but you still have to cook them before serving. For best results, you must defrost the hot dogs in the microwave for about five minutes. Then you can boil, grill or fry accordingly as per your taste.

Hot dogs are a favorite of everyone these days irrespective of age and gender. The numerous varieties make us savor a different hot dog each time we have one. On the other hand, there are some people who just stick to one variety that they are fond of. Whatever the case may be, hot dogs are sure to stay at the top on the list of food-lovers.