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This week's pick: The Most Magical Party Mix
I recognize that I may seem to have gone way down the rabbit hole with a recipe for snack mix. How is that related to fairy tales?
Well, people think it’s magically tasty and it comes together in less time than it takes for a pumpkin to turn into a carriage. Also, my picks aren’t always fairy-tale related. Sometimes they are just delicious. This is one of those times.
Process is key here. To make the perfect party mix, you need to follow the directions as I’ve laid out here. I also strongly recommend using Crispix as the cereal if you can find it. However, if you can’t find it or like the traditional mix, then use a mixture of corn and rice Chex cereal. I do not think the wheat cereal tastes nearly as good as the other two, so I leave it out, but mix up the three cereals if that is your preference. Also, I find that cashews really do taste better than mixed nuts, but if you’d prefer mixed nuts, use them. Finally, you can use a real lemon for the juice if you are following the traditional method and not using the packet—a half should do it.
I’m giving you this recipe on Labor Day, because to me, Labor Day is the beginning of fall, and fall is the beginning of the eating season that stretches from now until the Super Bowl.
The Most Magical Party Mix
8 cups of Crispix
1 cup cashews or mixed nuts
1 cup pretzel sticks
Sauce:
1 stick butter
1 packet of Chex seasoning mix
OR:
1 stick butter
10 shakes of soy sauce, from the bottle—some people do half soy sauce, half Worcestershire
Three quick squirts lemon juice from one of those plastic lemon juice lemons
Five shakes each of garlic and onion powder
First, read the third paragraph above completely before starting, then melt the butter in a deep, wide bowl in the microwave for 1.5 minutes.
If you use the seasoning packet, just melt butter and stir in the packet contents, then move on to adding the ingredients.
If not using the packet, to the butter add the soy, lemon, and powders. Stir very thoroughly. Taste. The mixture should be very salty, but the butter should assert itself as well. Add more of anything your taste buds ask for.
Add nuts and stir. Allow them to absorb the sauce.
Add pretzels and do the same. Then add the cereal gradually, stirring gently so each addition absorbs the sauce. Give every addition time to absorb the sauce.
Put in the microwave. Cook on high for two minutes. Stir from the bottom, gently. Do it again after another two minutes. Stir. Cook one minute more.
(If you are using an oven, follow the directions right up to microwaving but instead put it in an oven preheated to 275 degrees. Spread the mix into a shallow baking pan. Bake for 40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.)
Cool on paper towels. If the mix seems bland, shake a little soy or Worcestershire sauce or on it, widely distributing. You probably won’t need to do this if you use the seasoning packet.
This keeps for a few days if stored in a well-sealed tin or large zip-lock bag, but I suspect it won’t make it more than 24 hours.
Supposedly, this makes 15 servings, but that’s optimistic. I’d say it makes maybe 10 servings, because most people like at least one full cup each.
Have an enchanted week!
(Image is from Ralston Purina, 1966.)
