We often find ourselves in a bind when friends drop by unexpectedly, especially at odd hours for a few drinks. This can also happen when we come home late and crave a midnight snack. Don’t worry; I have a solution for you! Here are a few quick recipes that can help you prepare a delicious snack in five minutes or less. All you need are some leftovers or items from your pantry to create your own smorgasbord. While I’ve shared many recipes on my blog before, I’ve simplified them further for quick preparation.
Melvin Fries: Start by taking a few green chillies and deep-frying them. Toss the fried chillies in salt and set them aside. Next, fry some potatoes until golden brown. Top the fries with the fried green chillies and a sprinkle of Peri Peri spice powder. Your Melvin Fries are now ready to enjoy!
Masala Papad with Dried Shrimp: In addition to the usual chopped onion and tomato with chilli toppings, add some dried shrimp and sev for extra crunch. Serve with style.
Chili Potato: If you have leftover aloo sabzi, this dish is a quick solution! Just fry the potato wedges, toss them in Sriracha or Szechuan sauce, and enjoy.
Palak Chaat: Take a few whole spinach leaves and deep fry them until crispy. Top them with curd, tamarind chutney or ketchup, and sev. Your crispy and tangy snack is ready to be enjoyed.
Peanut Chaat: Take some boiled or fried peanuts and mix them with chopped onion and tomato, a tablespoon of grated and sautéed onion, tamarind sauce, and seasonings.
Paneer Sticks: Cut paneer into cubes or strips. Dip them in a sauce of your choice, grill them in the oven for 3 to 4 minutes, and serve on skewers.
Masala Roti: If you have leftover chapati or rumali roti, reheat them on a tava until they turn crisp. Top with chopped onions, tomatoes, chilli, and seasonings.
Boiled Egg Canapés: These are simple yet delicious. Boil a few eggs and top them with chaat masala and ketchup. Serve right away.
Vegetable Rolls: If you have mixed or boiled vegetables in the refrigerator, mash them and mix them with boiled potatoes. Add seasoning and a tablespoon of melted butter, mix well, and form rolls. Top with sev and air fry for 5 minutes at 180°C, or cook on a hot girdle for 5 minutes. Remove and serve.
Crispy Paneer: Cut paneer into cubes or use leftovers from sabzi. Clean them and pat them dry. Marinate with ginger-garlic paste, salt, and turmeric. Pan fry or air fry for 5 minutes. Serve with your choice of chutney.
With these easy snacks, you can impress your friends or satisfy your midnight cravings in no time!
