It's cheat day today! Making snack time fast and easy.

Sometimes we have the sudden urge to cook something out of the blue.. Sometimes we also have the urge to just eat something... anything... and fast! These are those times when you cannot afford to be picky so you just look around the cabinets, inside the refrigerator and voila! due to your growling appetite your brain and taste buds produce one brilliant idea...

This is exactly what happened today... and from my raid of the pantry I've produced fresh out-of-the-oven mini chocolate chip brownies and piping hot chili con carne with a side of cream cheese served on a bed of nacho chips. Sounds delicious? Indeed! Sounds like a whole lot of cooking? Na-aaah! It does not sound as strenuous as you think my dear. I've cheated today.

Using only a box of brownie cake mix and a whole can of chili con carne cooking has never been this easy.

Just follow the instructions as directed behind the carton. For my whole box of Girardelli chocolate chip brownie mix I just added 3 pcs of eggs, 1/4 cup of vegetable oil, 1/2 cup of water and 1 cup of flour. Whisked it until everything is nice and incorporated. Placed them inside cupcake liners and baked inside the pre-heated oven until ready. You know when it is done by using the toothpick test (Insert a clean toothpick in the middle of the cupcake, when it comes out clean then your cupcake is ready to be served!)

Now for the canned chili con carne... I just placed the contents of the can in a small saute' pan to heat up. Adjusted the seasoning according to my liking- a pinch of salt, more white pepper and a dash of cayenne pepper. That's it! I then opened a bag of nacho chips flavored with a trace of lime, then scooped up some cream cheese into a bowl. Arranged all these items on a plate and served everything family style. If you have time to chop up fresh tomatoes, white onions and shred some cabbage then do so. You may also add freshly chopped cilantro and a splash of lemon after heating up the chili con carne.

All of these took no more than 30 minutes. So if you are in a hurry and you need to whip up a tasty snack out of your kitchen then do not hesitate to use canned and pre-mixed items. But as a healthy reminder, do not get used to it! ;)

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