Trail mix is a snack, typically a combination of granola, dried fruits, nuts, and sometimes candy, originally developed as a snack to be packed for long hikes. But nowadays trail mix is recommended for all-day healthy snacking. Storing trail mix snacks at home is a great way to keep children and adults off junk food especially during the new pandemic routine of working and learning from home. Packaged trail mix snacks often contain excess sugar, salt, preservatives and flavouring. Therefore homemade trail mix is the healthier option. Here are four easy-to-make trail mix recipes, writes Parvathy Menon INGREDIENTS 3 cups puffed rice 2 pinches of turmeric powder 2 pinches of chilli powder 3 tbsp groundnuts 2 tbsp cashews 2 tsp raisins 2 tsp almonds 2 tsp banana chips 1 tsp ghee PREPARATION GUIDE Dry roast the groundnuts Use ¼ teaspoon ghee and roast the cashewnuts Roast the almonds separately and keep aside. Now, heat a pan, add in the remaining ghee, toss in the puffed rice, turmeric and chilli powder and mix. Add all the other ingredients and mix Health benefits. Puffed rice contains, fibre, magnesium, thiamine, calcium, iron and vitamin D, that promote good bone health. This is a great snack before or after an exercise workout as it contains a good mix of carbohydrates to provide energy, and protein, as well as antioxidants, iron, and vitamin E. SWEET &SALT MIX (10 servings) INGREDIENTS 100 gm almonds 50 gm dried cranberries 50 gm broken cashews 50 gm black raisins 50 gm groundnuts 30 gm sunflower seeds ¼ tsp salt PREPARATION GUIDE Roast almonds on low heat. Stir continuously to avoid burning. Once done, spread them on a tray to cool Cut dried cranberries into small bits. Remove stems, if any, from raisins. Roast cashews on low flame and keep aside. Roast sunflower seeds. Roast groundnuts on low flame, and leave to cool. After cooling, rub to remove the skin, and crush to small bits. Toss all the ingredients together with a sprinkling of salt. Shake up well and store in small containers or packets. Health benefits. Almonds are a rich source of antioxidants, protein, magnesium and vitamin E. Cranberries fight urinary tract infections, cancer and heart disease. FRUIT TRAIL MIX (4 servings) INGREDIENTS 2 blocks jaggery 3 tsp candied fruit (amla/papaya/any other fruit) 50 gm banana chips 100 gm peanuts 40 gm raisins PREPARATION GUIDE Roast peanuts. After they cool, remove the skin, and lightly crush to break them into pieces. Break part of the banana chips and leave rest whole. Use a sharp knife to cut the jaggery into small cubes without breaking. Mix all ingredients. Pack in small portions in airtight containers. Health benefits. Jaggery improves digestion, fights anaemia and boosts immunity. Groundnuts improve memory, prevent cancer and fight diabetes. Raisins are a rich source of fibre, iron, magnesium and potassium. This mix provides an energy boost as well as muscle-building proteins. Also Read:Creamy mushroom spaghetti
