Interestingly, some of my favorite school-year memories happened after school. After a long day, I looked forward to sharing a snack with my sisters and mom, and comparing notes on our days.
Now that I have my own crew to feed, the after-school snack has becomemore important than ever. It is still my opportunity to touch base with my kids, and it is still the time to hold over their appetites until supper.
Some afternoons I know that, with a full schedule of activities ahead, a proper family dinner won't be an option. This means I take snack time all that more seriously. Here are my best tricks for kick-starting the second half of our school days with quality time and satisfying snacks.
As I see things, the after-school snack is just as important as breakfast.
WHITE BEAN BRUSCHETTA (THE SNACK TO START THE WEEK)
The hectic rush of weekday afternoons means I often don't have enough time to make fresh after-school snacks. The hero treats are the ones that may be prepared in advance and assembled to order — they're especially great if provide a dose of protein or fiber. This bruschetta is easily the superhero of all my go-to snacks.
When I get home from the grocery on Sunday, I stir together the white bean mixture and crisp half-inch slices of crusty baguette. I pop the topping into the fridge and throw the toast into a resealable bag on the countertop. When the bus stops at the end of our driveway on Monday afternoon, I line a plate with enough toast for all of us to share and finish each piece of toast with the colorful, tasty garnish. Sometimes I flake canned tuna into the white beans for a punch of protein; other times, on chilly afternoons, I'll toss the mixture into a small bowl of whole-wheat pasta and serve the toast on the side.
CRUNCHY GARBANZO BEANS (FOR LONG CONVERSATIONS)
For those days when there is more to report than others — and you can feel if it's one of those days as soon as the kids hit the door — I make sure to have a batch of these crunchy treats stocked. I pack a handful for lunches here and there, and when extended noshing is necessary to cover math woes and drama with friends, they are the perfect snack.
Drain and dry two cans of garbanzo beans, toss them in simple seasonings and roast them just in time for your kids to get off the bus. Stick with the original savory design, or coat the toasty beans in honey and cinnamon for a sweet little spin. Bring both versions to the kitchen counter when there's a lot to talk about.
BEST BLACK BEAN SALSA (FOR YOUR KIDS & ALL THEIR FRIENDS)
More and more, my kids come home with a slew of other kids after school. I am most grateful for the opportunity to meet their friends, and I am thrilled to host them in our home. On these days, the after-school snack becomes a sort of pop-up party, and there is no better party snack than homemade salsa. With this simple recipe, I entertain and feed the masses. If it's not already in the fridge, I can throw it together in minutes, and serve it up with a tray of fresh-cut veggies and a bowl of tortilla chips.