To quote Three Dog Night: One is the loneliest number— but not with a delicious and savory snack in front of you. 

Pâté isn’t just a snack or side, it’s an entire vibe. Not to mention, when experiencing a little bit of solitude, you’ve earned the right to enjoy yourself and indulge.

Ultimately, when snacking on pâté by yourself, there are only a few things you should know to get the most out of your experience. Luckily for you, we’ve gathered them here for your reading pleasure.

• When it’s just you, presentation isn’t everything. Sure, if you want to practice putting together a beautiful cheese and meat board complete with pâté, then this is a good chance to go through some trial and error. But, honestly, why go through the trouble? When snacking on pâté alone you can throw presentation—  and even etiquette—  out the window. Grab a plate, a boxful of Alexian speciality crackers, and bring on the pâté so you make your snack session all about enjoying every last bite.
  
• Make an adventure out of being on your own. Pâté and the best crunchy sides that go with it, are known for being portable. Plan a beautiful hike and reward your bold spirit with a savory solo picnic.
• Experiment. Without any prying eyes (or judgemental friends) you can see just how many delicious snacks pâté goes well with. Our philosophy is “If it goes crunch, it goes with your pâté at lunch!” Rest assured, there’s plenty of food you can try for the first time with pâté that will please your palate. From cucumbers to pretzel sticks, there are plenty of foods that aren’t always included in a pâté spread that could (and should!) be. Get creative, and you might just find your new favorite combination.

Above all, remember this: the best part about solo snacking on pâté is that you don’t have to share!

With much of the country sheltering in place, your evenings may be starting to feel the same. We have just the thing to change them up while you’re streaming movies or playing board games with the family. 

Here, we have three fun and (mostly) healthy snack recipes with a focus on simplicity. These snacks are worth the effort, and whether alone or with family, you’ll pass these nights by with extra flavor.

1. Baked Banana Chips

Ingredients:

• Three large bananas (for a serving size that accommodates 2-3) 
• Cinnamon (can be swapped out with sea salt) 
• 3 tablespoons of orange juice (can be swapped with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice) 

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 250?
• Chop bananas into little “tokens”. 
• Dip each token into the orange or lemon juice, and follow withthe cinnamon or sea salt. 
• Place on pan and bake at 250 for about 2 hours (cook until crispy, and make sure to flip them at least once).
• Enjoy!

2. Cheese Stuffed Jalapenos

Ingredients:

• 6 large Jalapenos (Reminder: one jalapeno makes two stuffed jalapenos. Adjust according to desired amount)
• An 8 ounce package of cream cheese
• ¼ cup of shredded cheese
• Garlic powder, Cayenne Pepper, and/or Onion powder, depending on preference. Most seasonings can be used for extra flavor. Get creative!

Instructions:

• Cut Jalapenos length-wize and hollow them out of seeds and membrane. Then boil Jalapenos in hot water for about ten minutes. (Depending on how spicythey are, you can boil them for longer to make them mild. If you want them extra spicy, boil them for only three minutes).
• Mixall of the other ingredients in a large bowl.
• Fill the Jalapenos with cheese and then place on a large cooking sheet.
• Bake at 400? for 5-10 minutes depending on how many jalapenos have been used.
• Bonus: Cook bacon strips and wrap one around each cooked pepper!

Chef’s Tip: You can swap out the cheese with pâté for an even more delicious treat!

3. Garlic Bread

Ingredients:

• One loaf of French Baguette
• Butter
• Grated Cheese of any type (we prefer Parmesan, or cheddar)
• Garlic Powder
• (Optional): Parsley

Instructions:

• Half the baguette  and cut into an even number of slices.
• Smear butter on each slice, followed by the garlic powder (as well as the parsley flakes if using) and finally the cheese.
• Place on cooking pan and bake at 350? for 10 minutes or until golden brown. 

  While those three delicious snacks can each stand alone, why not get festive and make all three? Better yet, each one of these recipes is delicious with a spread of Alexian Pâté. It’s no secret that pâté is the ultimate combination food and the secret formula to make your ordinary night one to remember.