In an exclusive chat with The Pioneer, chef Kunal Kapur gets candid about the rise of snacking culture, making your snacks healthy and tasty, and more.
Tejal Sinha
Be it the summers, the monsoon, the springs, or the winters, our cravings for snacks and the munchies are never-ending. Adding to it, if you’re on a diet, there’s nothing worse than getting struck with a craving.
And what could be better than adding a healthy twist to your snacks without giving up on your diet?
In an exclusive chat with The Pioneer, chef Kunal Kapur shares his favourite snack that ticks the convenience and comfort boxes.
Snacking has been increasing at all times, eventually replacing traditional meals. With a shift in our eating pattern, chef Kunal shares, “Snacks have been an intrinsic part of our Indian culture, especially chai-time snacking. However, lately, snacking is increasing on all occasions. As you have rightly said, people are replacing traditional meals because of our hectic lifestyles. We end up relying on snacks that get ready in no time and are tasty too.”
And, so, the chef suggests—something that he follows too—”Choose snacks or food items that have a balance of nutrition. If you look at our balanced diet/thali, it’s a blend of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, etc. I would recommend making sure you are consuming all these nutrients through one snack or another. I feel that being mindful and a smart eater eventually comes with time and a lot of trial and error. There are some amazing snacks out there that are not only scrumptious, but one can also indulge in them wholeheartedly.”
As important as it is to have good meals, it is also important to have some guilt-free snacks on hand. Guilt-free snacks are exactly what they sound like they are.They are snacks that you can enjoy without worrying about the calories or fat content they contain. Not only are they diet-friendly, but they have at least a few healthy benefits as well.
However, there’s always the notion that guilt-free snacking should only include veggies, fruits, whole grains, etc. So, what’s the definition of smart snacking?
In his opinion, “India has smartly evolved its snacking habits over the years. Whether it’s jaggery and peanuts from Mid-India, millet-oat upma from the South, paneer parathas from the North, or masala khakhra from West Gujarat, age-old Indian delicacies have always been the first-hand option. In the modern day, we have a plethora of fusion options, and even grandma’s snacks have been reinvented to fit into the fast-paced corporate world. Picking such options will not only reduce your hunger pangs but also the guilt of consuming heavier snacks.”
Being a chef and a foodie himself, he always creates recipes that deliver on taste as well as health. “The common cravings among my friends, family, and kids have helped me understand what kind of snack recipes everyone is looking for. I make sure to use easily available items that are high in fibre, like oats, sprouts, fruits, and seeds, and protein, like cottage cheese, etc., and give it a spicy, tangy twist. We all love the flavours of chaat and desi Indian spices, so I experiment with these flavours a lot. Sometimes, a hint of sprinkled coriander or lemon gives an added freshness.”
Before we could end the interview on a brighter note, we also took the shot to ask the connoisseur to share some flavoursome add-ons or combos to Saffola Masala Oats, as he is associated with Saffola Masala Oats and co-created the flavours of Saffola Masala Oats with the R&D team of Saffola.
He enthused, “Saffola Masala Oats has a plethora of options with authentic Chatpata flavours and crunchy veggies that will fulfil your 5 p.m. hunger pangs, such as Classic Masala, Masala Coriander, Peppy Tomato, Veggie Twist, Curry, and Pepper. The best way to eat Saffola Masala Oats is when they are made as per the cooking instructions and served hot with a dash of lemon and a sprig of coriander.
Nevertheless, if you are in the mood to experiment, my personal favourite recommendation would be to prepare your Saffola Masala Oats in chaat style, with pomegranate, cucumber, tamarind, and green chutneys, and some chaat masala for the extra tanginess and freshness. Pair it with adrak chai or lemon mint iced tea; the choice is yours!”
