How Snacking Is Like Improv Comedy
I had a revelation about snacking after reading the rules of improv comedy in Tina Fey’s book, Bossy Pants. Snacking is different that cooking. Cooking is often planned and follows a recipe. You could compare cooking to being an actor following a script.
Snacking, on the other hand, is about being in the moment; thus, the most creative and inventive snacks are the result of mastering the art of improv.
The rules of improv comedy are summarized as follows:
6 Steps to Successful Improv
- Establish your location (see where are you now).
- Yes, and …
- Make a statement (here we are, this is what’s happening).
- There are no mistakes, only opportunities.
- Stay positive and learn to adapt.
- Have fun!
How to Apply the Steps to Snacking
Start by establishing your location. Where are you now? The skilled “snackster” looks at where they are — whether in the middle of a mini mart or standing in the yellow glow of the open refrigerator late at night — and says, “Yes! Yes, I will take these random ingredients that sit before me, and I will make something fabulous from them.” For they know, there are no mistakes, only opportunities.
Learning how to concoct a great snack can start at any age. I’ve heard tales of latchkey kids eating ketchup sandwiches or squishing a marshmallow between two buttered saltines, then microwaving the whole thing. The results are still talked about with loving fondness well into adulthood.
Here are a couple examples of improvised snack ideas to get your imagination going:
Improv Bagel Sundae
This is a bagel “sundae,” topped with Raisinettes, popcorn, caramel sauce, hot fudge, whipped cream, sprinkles, and (of course) maraschino cherries. Was it good? Yes, it was.
Improv Parmesan “Pizza”
This is my Parmesan “pizza,” made only of Parmesan cheese and pepperoni. It’s low-carb and crustless!
So get out into the world, folks, and start snacking more successfully. (You are welcome.) Now, if I could only find a way to reduce my belly fat …