Holiday Snacking
Sorry folks: I haven't blogged much during the past 4 months. I've been busy putting my life in order & focusing on my non-blogging career. Back in August, I was downsized from my job as a baker (I know! Sadness!) At the time I took it as a personal blow, but I managed to turn it into fodder for a comedy show at a local comedy club!
Look at that face! It has comedy written all over it!
Unfortunately, I did suffer a physical blow. I was tailgating (codeword for "drinking") with my friends at a Carolina Panthers game and...to make a long story short--I broke my left wrist. No cooking, no writing, no typing & certainly not much eating. Tomorrow I get my cast off after nearly 8 weeks of constant pain, suffering, and carrying my arm around in a sling.
Me at the hospital right before my surgery. Yes, the break was pretty bad. There was anesthesia and a overnight stay involved.
To celebrate my new & improved wrist, I made a snack for you!
A mere one cup of this snack mix is 140 calories and 2 grams of fat. I mixed up a batch of this and have been snacking on it non-stop for the past month. It's sweet, salty, crunchy & oh-so satisfying. It's great to munch on while you're doing your holiday baking, before you step out to that holiday party serving the "light hors d'oeuvres" or to tide you over 'til dinner.
'Tis the season to eat, drink & be merry.
Holiday Snack Mix
Makes 15 1-cup servings
3 cups Corn Chex cereal
3 cups Wheat Chex cereal
2 cups Kashi 7 Whole Grain Cereals Puffs cereal
2 cups reduced fat Cheez-Its crackers
3 cups air popped popcorn
1/4 cup Smart Balance buttery spread
1/3 cup light brown sugar
1/3 cup light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1. Mix cereals, 1 cup of the cheese crackers and 2 cups of the popcorn in large, microwavable bowl. Set aside.
2. Place Smart Balance, brown sugar, corn syrup and salt in 2-cup microwavable measuring cup. Microwave on High 1 minute 30 seconds. Stir; microwave on High until bubbling. Remove from microwave; stir in baking soda. Mixture will foam up, but keep mixing until baking soda is dissolved. Pour over the cereal mixture; stir until fully coated.
3. Microwave on High 4 to 5 minutes, stirring after every minute. Spread on waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Let cool for about 5 minutes to let caramel fully harden. Stir in remaining 1 cup cheese crackers and 1 cup popcorn.
Look at that face! It has comedy written all over it!Unfortunately, I did suffer a physical blow. I was tailgating (codeword for "drinking") with my friends at a Carolina Panthers game and...to make a long story short--I broke my left wrist. No cooking, no writing, no typing & certainly not much eating. Tomorrow I get my cast off after nearly 8 weeks of constant pain, suffering, and carrying my arm around in a sling.
Me at the hospital right before my surgery. Yes, the break was pretty bad. There was anesthesia and a overnight stay involved.To celebrate my new & improved wrist, I made a snack for you!
A mere one cup of this snack mix is 140 calories and 2 grams of fat. I mixed up a batch of this and have been snacking on it non-stop for the past month. It's sweet, salty, crunchy & oh-so satisfying. It's great to munch on while you're doing your holiday baking, before you step out to that holiday party serving the "light hors d'oeuvres" or to tide you over 'til dinner.
'Tis the season to eat, drink & be merry.
I plan on doing all 3 in excess over the next 3 weeks. The only things I won't be indulging in is the weight gain, bloat & heartburn associated with gluttonous activities.
Holiday Snack Mix
Makes 15 1-cup servings
3 cups Corn Chex cereal
3 cups Wheat Chex cereal
2 cups Kashi 7 Whole Grain Cereals Puffs cereal
2 cups reduced fat Cheez-Its crackers
3 cups air popped popcorn
1/4 cup Smart Balance buttery spread
1/3 cup light brown sugar
1/3 cup light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1. Mix cereals, 1 cup of the cheese crackers and 2 cups of the popcorn in large, microwavable bowl. Set aside.
2. Place Smart Balance, brown sugar, corn syrup and salt in 2-cup microwavable measuring cup. Microwave on High 1 minute 30 seconds. Stir; microwave on High until bubbling. Remove from microwave; stir in baking soda. Mixture will foam up, but keep mixing until baking soda is dissolved. Pour over the cereal mixture; stir until fully coated.
3. Microwave on High 4 to 5 minutes, stirring after every minute. Spread on waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Let cool for about 5 minutes to let caramel fully harden. Stir in remaining 1 cup cheese crackers and 1 cup popcorn.
I called it "snack mix" just because I don't always use Chex. Feel free to mix and match your favorite cereals, using the same ratio (I used Cheerios in place of the Kashi) and add nuts, chocolate chips, or pretzels for additional flavor and crunch. Another time, I used Orville Redenbacher's 97% fat free microwave popcorn instead of breaking out the air corn popper. I added a cup of dark chocolate chips after the mixture cooled and that brought a whole new dimension to the mix. Adding the dark chocolate only adds 1/2 gram of fat per serving, so it's still a low-fat snack option.
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About the author
Nikki Miller-Ka
Ms. Miller-Ka is a classically trained chef with a BA in English from East Carolina University and a Culinary Arts Associate Degree from Le Cordon Bleu-Miami.
Formerly, she’s worked as a researcher, an editorial assistant, reporter and guest blogger for various publications and outlets in the Southeast. She has also worked as a catering chef, a pastry chef, a butcher, a baker, and a biscuit-maker. Presently, she is a food editor, freelance food writer, and a tour guide for Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours.
I'm really glad you are on the mend Nik and just in time for the holidays!!!!!
ReplyDeleteIts good to hear from you! Sorry to hear about your break but glad its on the mend.
ReplyDeleteYUM. We love having this snack mix here at home, holidays or no holidays. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat touching words :)
ReplyDelete