5 snacks to make on a slow Sunday with family

Sunday deserves a little snack preparation. While the day is still slow and the kitchen does not feel like an enemy, prepare a few things that will be waiting for you when the week becomes busy. A batch of mandazi, some samosas in the freezer or a container of homemade crisps can make all the difference between a well-fed week and spending Ksh300 on snacks every other afternoon.

Here are five easy snacks worth preparing on Sunday.

Mandazi for those rushed mornings

Mandazi is one of the most dependable snacks you can have in the house. It works with tea, coffee or milk, and it does not ask for much. You simply pick one up and continue with your life.

Preparing mandazi on Sunday gives you enough for several mornings and snack breaks. You can make the usual plain version or add a little coconut, cardamom or cinnamon to make them more interesting. Coconut mandazi, especially, has a lovely softness and flavour that can make an ordinary cup of tea feel like a proper treat.

The trick is making enough without getting carried away. Mandazi has a way of disappearing when people walk past the kitchen. Someone will have two. Another person will take three “for later.” Before you know it, Tuesday arrives and your snack preparation has mysteriously vanished.

Still, a good batch of mandazi is worth having around. It is comforting, filling and always ready when you need a quick bite.

Homemade crisps for the afternoon munchies

There is a particular kind of hunger that comes in the afternoon. You are not hungry enough to prepare a meal, but you definitely need something.

Crisps are perfect for this moment.

Instead of buying packets throughout the week, prepare your own on Sunday. You can make potato crisps, sweet potato crisps or even banana crisps if you want something different. The best thing about homemade crisps is that you can season them however you like.

Keep one batch simple with salt. Add black pepper to another. Try paprika, garlic or chilli if you enjoy food with a little attitude.

Once the crisps have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container to help them stay crunchy. You can pack small portions for work or enjoy them at home without constantly spending money on snacks.

Just remember that the container is not a serving bowl. Eating directly from it is a dangerous game.

Samosas for your future hungry self

Samosas take effort, which is exactly why Sunday is the right time to make them.

Prepare your filling using minced meat, chicken, vegetables or lentils, then spend some time folding enough samosas to last beyond one meal. You can fry a few immediately and freeze the rest.

This is one of the best forms of food preparation because frozen samosas can save you on a busy day. Come home tired, take out a few and cook them without going through the entire preparation process again.

They are also useful when visitors show up unexpectedly. Instead of staring into the fridge and hoping something magical appears, you already have a plan.

Serve your samosas with kachumbari, tamarind sauce or chilli, and suddenly your weekday snack feels like something you bought from a proper restaurant.

Roasted maize for serious snacking

Roasted maize is not a casual snack.

You need commitment. You need patience. You need teeth that are ready to report for duty.

But that is exactly what makes it enjoyable.

Roasted maize can keep you occupied for a while, making it perfect for those moments when you feel like snacking continuously. It is also easy to carry and can be enjoyed while travelling, relaxing at home or sitting through a long afternoon.

There is something wonderfully simple about roasted maize. No fancy packaging, no complicated ingredients and no need for a plate. Just good old-fashioned chewing.

Prepare enough for a few days and store it in a dry place. It makes a satisfying alternative when you want to take a break from sugary snacks.

Of course, you may want to avoid eating it immediately before an important meeting where smiling confidently is part of the plan.

Sausage bites for a quick fix

Sausages may not be glamorous, but they have earned their place in the snack world.

Prepare a batch on Sunday and use them in different ways throughout the week. Eat them with bread, make a quick sandwich, slice them into eggs or serve them with onions and tomatoes.

You can also make sausage rolls if you have the time. Wrapped in dough or pastry, sausages become a more filling snack that is easy to grab on the go.

The important thing is proper storage. Keep cooked sausages refrigerated if you plan to eat them within a few days and freeze anything you want to keep longer. There is no point in preparing food to make your week easier and then forgetting it at the back of the fridge.

Sausages are helpful, but they cannot perform miracles after a week of neglect.

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