Weird Snacks

For as long as I can remember, I’ve eaten something sweet with my potato chips. I love the combo of sweet and salty, but I get strange looks. I’ve been looking it up on the web, and there are plenty of folks who like odd combos. Pickles and ice cream are just the start:

dill pickles and peanut butter
slice of ham, cream cheese spread all over it, wrapped around a dill pickle.
banana pepper slices, mayo, wrapped in whole wheat wrap.
potato chips and ketchup
potato chips crunched up in sandwich.
microwaved peeps
maple syrup on grits
Cold, cooked broccoli spread with mayo and drizzled with lemon juice.
Orange Crush and peanuts
Olive sandwiches, on white bread with mayo
Saltines sprinkled with lemon juice
Mix ketchup and horseradish, serve spread on saltines.

I love falafel,so it makes sense that these beans sound yummy. This recipe was in my Cookie Magazine, and it sounded weird, yet strangely tempting:

Crispy Cinnamon Garbanzo Beans

Crispy Cinnamon Garbanzo Beans

These tasty (no-allergy!) nut alternatives are great to have out around the holidays. Give them to the kids in rolled-up parchment-paper cones.

1 cup dried garbanzo beans

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 tablespoons raw (or regular granulated) sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon salt

Soak the beans overnight in cool water. Drain and pat them dry with paper towels.

Preheat oven to 350º F.

In a bowl, toss the beans with the vegetable oil and sugar.

Spread them in a single layer on an ungreased baking sheet. Roast them in the oven until crunchy and no longer soft in the centers, about 45 minutes. (Stir them a few times to prevent burning.)

Immediately toss the beans in a bowl with the cinnamon and salt. Cool and serve, or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

TIP: For a savory snack, try tossing the beans with salt, paprika, and freshly ground pepper instead.