Quick Snacks

Last night, after a long day, my husband said he was craving something simple, with bacon and red onion, like in the countryside. I didn’t have to think too much. In 20 minutes, I had a classic snack on the table that I've made over the years, especially when we want something quick and don't feel like cooking something complicated. It always works when you have a few good ingredients on hand.

Quick Info

Total time: about 20-25 minutes
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 10-12 minutes (for hard-boiled eggs)
Servings: 2-3 people (or a generous snack platter for 2)
Difficulty: easy
Recipe type: quick snack, evening platter

Ingredients

200 g homemade smoked bacon
1 red onion
3 triangles of processed cheese
4-5 green onion stalks
3 radishes
3 hard-boiled eggs
200 g dried summer salami
lettuce (for garnish)

Preparation method

1. Boil the eggs. I use cold water and let them boil for 10-12 minutes to be hard. Once boiled, I immediately rinse them under cold water or leave them for 5 minutes in a bowl with very cold water. This really helps with peeling.

2. While the eggs are boiling, wash the lettuce leaves. I place them on a clean towel and gently pat them to dry.

3. Cut the bacon into slices or pieces as you prefer. Peel the red onion and slice it thinly or into strips.

4. Slice the green onions and radishes. Cut the summer salami into thin slices.

5. Leave the triangles of processed cheese as they are, just unwrap them and place them on the platter. If you want, you can cut them, but it’s not necessary.

6. Peel the hard-boiled eggs, cut them in half, and arrange them on the platter.

7. On a large platter, start with a layer of lettuce leaves, then arrange the remaining ingredients in groups – bacon, salami, red onion, green onion, radishes, processed cheese, eggs. I don’t bother making complicated patterns, I simply group them so everything is within reach.

Why I make this recipe often

It’s one of the simplest snack options I can put on the table without hassle. You don’t need to cook much and you use what you already have in the fridge. It has an authentic taste, is filling, and works at any time, especially in the evening. I’ve noticed it disappears quickly from the platter.

Tips and variations

Tips

If you want the eggs to peel easily, don’t skip the cold water step.
Look for quality bacon and salami, naturally smoked, as it matters for the taste.
Cut the ingredients just the way you like, they don’t have to be perfect.

Substitutions

Bacon can be replaced with smoked ham if you don’t have it on hand.
If you don’t have summer salami, other dried salami works, but the taste will be different.
For a dairy-free version, you can leave out the processed cheese.

Variations

You can add some pickles or roasted peppers if you have them in your pantry.
If needed, you can omit the lettuce – the platter works fine without it, more rustic.
Sometimes I add a bit of ground black pepper over the eggs or bacon.

Serving ideas

It’s eaten directly from the platter, with fresh or toasted bread.
It works as a snack for a festive meal or simply as an evening platter.
It can be included in larger platters with other cold cuts, cheeses, and raw vegetables.

Frequently asked questions

1. What kind of bacon do I use?

Homemade smoked bacon with thin skin and meat gives the best flavor. You can use store-bought bacon, but the aroma won’t be as intense.

2. How long do the eggs need to be boiled?

For hard-boiled eggs, 10-12 minutes of boiling once the water starts to boil. Don’t leave them too long, or they will become rubbery.

3. Is the lettuce mandatory?

It’s not mandatory, but it helps with presentation and adds freshness to the platter. If you don’t have it, you can skip it.

4. Can I use another type of cheese instead of processed cheese?

Yes, you can use slices of cheese or feta, but processed cheese has the most suitable texture for this type of snack.

5. Is it okay without salami?

Sure, if you want something simpler or don’t have salami, just stick with bacon. I recommend using at least two types of main ingredients for a variation in taste and texture.

Nutritional values

All values are estimates, calculated for one serving (out of three).

Calories: approximately 450-500 kcal/serving
Protein: 23-27 g
Fat: 37-40 g
Carbohydrates: 6-9 g

The recipe is high in fat (with bacon and salami being the main sources), with protein from eggs and meat, and low carbohydrates from vegetables and processed cheese. It’s a substantial snack, not a diet dish.

Storage and reheating

This type of platter doesn’t store well from one day to the next, especially due to the onion, eggs, and lettuce losing their freshness. I recommend preparing exactly what you consume and not keeping it in the fridge for more than a few hours. Leftover salami or bacon can be stored separately, wrapped in foil, but it’s best to assemble everything fresh. It doesn’t require and I don’t recommend reheating.

 Ingredients: 200 g smoked homemade bacon, 1 red onion, 3 triangles of melted cheese, 4-5 green onions, 3 radishes, 3 hard-boiled eggs, 200 g dried summer salami, green salad for decoration

 Tags:  snack