Showing up at an interview with a tongue tattoo from your mid-morning Fruit Roll-Up, or ripping out your Lunchable in the staff office can be the epitome of awkward. Although delicious, the sad reality of these tasty treats is they can knock down the aura of ‘Professional’ we all aim to display at work. That being said, there are ways to enjoy some of the same tasty treats that are easy to prepare, delicious, and honestly less expensive than the gas station snacks we grab on our way out the door.
Cheese and Crackers
Get used to cheese on this list, because it’s my all-time favorite snack food! Whether you opt for Cheddar, Gouda, Swiss, or Havarti, cheese always pairs well with carbs. Pretzels tend to be my go-to; however, Ritz Crackers, bagel chips, as well as gluten-free options like Mary’s Gone Crackers and Glutino Table Crackers all pair well with cheese. This is a great alternative to grabbing a pre-made snack tray like Lunchables since you get much more food for what you’re spending.
Carrot Sticks and Hummus
This one seems to have mixed opinions, as you either love hummus or you hate it. What I love about this is there are so many ways to spice up hummus – adding cracked red pepper is my personal favorite hummus dressing; however, there are many options out there! Carrots are nice because there’s very little prep work that goes into getting them ready to eat, they aren’t messy, and they don’t leave lasting odors like eating a pepper could.
Prosciutto-Wrapped Pears
A little more prep work than carrots and hummus, prosciutto-wrapped pears are well worth the extra couple minutes. A sweet and savory match made in heaven, red pears paired with the Italian dry-cured ham will take your tastebuds on a sensual journey. Not only is this combo absolutely delicious, presentation-wise this is a sexy and sophisticated combination to pull out at your desk.
Apples and Smoked Gouda
Apples-and-Cheese is a childhood favorite for many. Growing up, Honey-Crisp-and-Cheddar was a commonly-requested snack of mine. Today, my favorite cheese to pair a ripe Honey Crisp with is thin-sliced smoked Gouda. The bold flavor of the cheese mixed with the sweet and tart flavors of the apple balance each other well.
Figs and Honey-Infused Goat Cheese
More prep work than the others, this one requires a three-minute broil. Take several halved figs, stuff them with your honey-infused goat cheese, and lightly press an almond into the cheese. Broil the figs for three minutes and they’re ready to eat. This one works not only as an hors d’oeuvre for your next party but as a great leftover to throw in your lunch pack.
Rosemary Brown-Butter Popcorn
For this one, I keep things easy and use a basic unsalted and butterless microwave popcorn. Once your popcorn is popped, melt 3 tablespoons of brown-butter and add 1 tablespoon of fresh chopped rosemary and ½ teaspoon of lemon zest. Mix these together and pour over your popped popcorn. I love this combination, as the rosemary adds an unconventional, sophisticated flavor to the popcorn.
As you can see, there are many ways to add some class to your snacking and knock out the sticker shock of pre-made meals. Snacking like a boss will help you feel like a boss, and that is a sure-fire way to boost your confidence in any job or internship.