Snacks: step-by-step recipes

How to plan snacks for guests or a cosy evening

A good snack table needs contrast rather than quantity. Pick one creamy dip (guacamole or hummus), one crunchy thing (bruschetta or cabbage and carrot slaw) and one make-ahead bite (a lavash roll that can chill while you tidy up). Three dishes like this look generous for four to six people.

For an ordinary weekday, think of snacks as a small bridge between meals: a spoon of hummus with carrot sticks keeps you going until dinner better than a biscuit.

Tips that make snacks better

• Ripe avocados only. They should give slightly under gentle pressure. Hard ones ripen in two or three days in a paper bag with a banana.
• Rinse canned chickpeas well and blend hummus longer than you think; a spoon of cold water makes it lighter and smoother.
• Toast bread for bruschetta until properly crisp, rub it with garlic while hot and top it just before serving so it stays crunchy.
• Chill the lavash roll for at least half an hour before slicing: the filling sets and the slices hold their shape.

Serve dips with a mix of dippers: toasted bread, crackers and raw vegetables such as carrot, cucumber and bell pepper. It makes a small bowl go much further and adds colour to the table.

A snack plan for the week

• Monday: make hummus from canned chickpeas and keep it for lunches and afternoon bites.
• Wednesday: a bowl of fresh cabbage and carrot salad as a crunchy side for dinner.
• Friday night: guacamole and tomato bruschetta for a film at home.
• Saturday guests: a lavash roll with cheese and herbs, made in the morning.

Leftovers, kids and budget

Hummus keeps for three to four days in a closed jar; drizzle a little oil on top to stop it drying. Guacamole browns quickly, so press cling film directly on the surface and eat it the same day. Leftover slaw is a great filling for a lavash wrap with chicken.

Kids usually like hummus with cucumber sticks and mild guacamole without chilli. On a budget, cabbage slaw and hummus are the cheapest options here; avocados are worth buying when they are in season or on offer.