UPDATE: My friend, Cricket, from The Perfect Snaque very kindly offered a promotion code so all our Fountain Avenue Kitchen friends can order through her site and receive a 15% discount. The promotion code is “fountain” and this is the link to The Perfect Snaque store.
Congratulations to Amanda R! You are the winner of The Perfect Snaque giveaway! Please respond to me with your complete mailing address so that you may receive your prize, and thanks to all who entered!
Cricket is a friend from my husband’s college days. She is a mom who, like many parents, wanted to provide wholesome snack options for her twin girls. Beyond all-natural choices, Cricket preferred options that were whole grain and high in protein. Coming up short, she began experimenting with her own snack mixes incorporating super foods such as sprouted lentils, quinoa, almonds, and goji berries. She mixed in flavors such as cinnamon, coconut, apple, and dark chocolate. Pretty soon The Perfect Snaque was born.
When my husband learned that Cricket had begun selling her creations, he bought several varieties. I fully expected to like them, but never thought my kids would jump on board. Even though they resemble granola, I assumed my 15 and 11-year-old boys might not find these wholesome snacks as appealing as my husband and I did. But guess what? They loved them. I found myself guarding those first three bags so they would last more than a couple of days!
These treats have become a valued snack in our family as I am always looking for quality lunch box fillers and after-sports snacks. My older son adores the sea salt and vinegar Snaque, and it has become his favorite post-race fuel after his cross country meets. At a recent meet, he shared a bag of these crunchy, lentil-based munchies with his friends. He had mentioned that his teammates were intrigued by his new snack and that they liked the crunch and the salty kick. I had a request for one of the sweet versions after the next meet!
Beyond eating as is, we sprinkle the sweet versions on yogurt and oatmeal, the savory ones on salads, and I even bake with the several varieties. The following recipe is a treat we enjoy often. Berries and apples may also be used and are equally delicious. This simple combination was created as a dessert, although I have found it makes a spectacular breakfast, too. A cool, tangy dollop of Greek yogurt provides a welcome counterbalance to the warm, sweet crisp. The recipe may be varied to make any amount, from a single serve portion on up. Leftovers may be gently rewarmed but are also delicious cold.
When I started The Fountain Avenue Kitchen, I decided the only products I would “endorse” on this page were those that I firmly believe in and feed my family. When Cricket wasn’t happy with the current options, so she did something about it. I love that about her. Her passion and unwillingness to settle turned into a little business that now has the potential to fuel many families beyond her own. I was thrilled to be able to spread the word and Cricket was kind enough to offer a some of her products to a lucky reader.
If you would like a chance to win a boxful of Cricket’s creations, all you need to do is leave a comment below. Anyone may enter between now and Tuesday, September 24, 2013 at 10:00 pm EDT. I will announce a winner the morning of September 25. The winner will have 48 hours to respond with a mailing address. If I don’t hear back, another winner will then be chosen.
In the meantime, please click on The Perfect Snaque website to learn more about Cricket’s company and the products she offers. And feel free to visit her The Perfect Snaque Facebook page and tell her I say hello!
P.S. If I had to choose a favorite, I could narrow it to three (which really isn’t picking a favorite, I realize!). They are Coconut Almond Crunch, Honey Barbecue (adding a handful of peanuts is delicious), and Berry Skinny Trail Mix. The guys are partial to Sea Salt and Vinegar, Cinnamon Sugar, and The Original Skinny Trail Mix.
Banana Coconut Crunch with “The Perfect Snaque”
Ingredients
- 3 bananas (not too ripe)
- 1/4 cup (2 ounces) packed brown sugar
- 2/3 cup Coconut Almond Crunch Snaque Mix (Apple Quinoa and Cinnamon Apple Crunch are also delicious)
- Optional: shredded coconut, Greek yogurt for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking dish. An 8x8 square dish or 9-inch pie plate work well. Feel free to adjust the recipe depending on how many bananas you want to use. (Keep in mind that the leftovers are fabulous!)
- Slice the bananas into thick rounds (1/2-3/4-inch) and evenly distribute over the bottom of the baking dish.
- Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the top, and then sprinkle the Snaque mix evenly over all. If desired, add a light coating of flaked coconut over the top (sweetened or unsweetened, according to preference).
- Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the brown sugar is melted and the bananas are beginning to caramelize but still have a hint of firmness.
- Enjoy warm, as is, or with a dollop of Greek yogurt.
Leave a Reply