Chex Mix is one of my favorite things about this time of year. Well, actually, I make Chex Mix all year long, but this is about the only time you can find the cereal on sale. Recently my local grocery store had a sale, 4 boxes of Chex cereal for $6. I stocked up.
One thing I like to do with homemade Chex Mix is bag it up and give it to friends as gifts. It's very well received and I often get requests to make more.
Here are two of my favorite Chex Mix recipes, both of them sweet. But a little salty too because of the pretzels. Sweet and salty is good. Enjoy!
White Chex Mix
2 cups Corn Chex
2 cups mini pretzels
1 cup dry roasted peanuts
20 caramels, chopped
1 pkg white chocolate chips
Mix the first 4 ingredients in a large bowl. Melt the white chocolate chips in the microwave, stirring until smooth. Pour over the cereal mixture and stir to coat. Spread on waxed paper until hardened. Break into pieces and store in an airtight container.
The hardest part of this recipe is unwrapping the caramels and chopping them up. If you want to save yourself a little time, you can use the Kraft caramel bits found in the baking aisle. They're not as sweet and chewy as the square caramels, though.
Plan to double or triple this recipe. You won't be able to stop eating it and your gift recipients might not get any if you don't make plenty! Don't say I didn't warn you.
Sweet Almond Chex Mix
4 cups Corn Chex
4 cups Rice Chex
2 cups pretzel nuggets
1 cups almonds (you can use whole pecans, but then you'll have to call this Sweet Pecan Chex Mix)
3/4 cup brown sugar
6 TBSP butter
3 TBSP corn syrup
1/4 teas baking soda
Combine the first 4 ingredients in a large bowl. In a saucepan, melt the sugar, butter and corn syrup together. Cook and stir until it comes to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes, then remove from heat and stir in baking soda. Pour over cereal mixture and stir to coat. Transfer to a greased cookie sheet or two. Bake at 300 degrees for 15 minutes. Stir and bake for 5 more minutes. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Break into pieces and store in an airtight container.
Both of these sweet recipes make delightful gifts to pass on to friends. Just make enough so you can have some too. After all, you wouldn't want to give someone an edible gift you hadn't tried yourself, right?
For more food gift ideas, check out the Recipe Swap going on over at Life as Mom.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Speedy Corn Chowder
I love quick and easy meals. I also love soup. I love soup that is quick and easy. And this is the quickest I've found. It requires little skill other than opening cans and stirring. Seriously, that's how easy this is. And it's yummy too. Did I mention it was quick?
Speedy Corn Chowder
2 cans creamed corn
1 can sweet corn, drained
2 cups frozen O'Brien hash browns
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
1 cup milk
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 teas salt
1/4 teas pepper
dash of cayenne pepper
Combine ingredients in a pot. Simmer for 15 minutes until heated through and potatoes are tender. Adjust seasonings if necessary. We don't care for spicy soup, so a dash of cayenne is good for us. Add more if you want some heat. Sometimes I'll throw in some minced onion too if I don't think the onions in the O'Brien potatoes are enough.
Is that speedy enough for you?
Speedy Corn Chowder
2 cans creamed corn
1 can sweet corn, drained
2 cups frozen O'Brien hash browns
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
1 cup milk
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 teas salt
1/4 teas pepper
dash of cayenne pepper
Combine ingredients in a pot. Simmer for 15 minutes until heated through and potatoes are tender. Adjust seasonings if necessary. We don't care for spicy soup, so a dash of cayenne is good for us. Add more if you want some heat. Sometimes I'll throw in some minced onion too if I don't think the onions in the O'Brien potatoes are enough.
Is that speedy enough for you?
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Easy Handmade Christmas Gift - Magnets!
I'll admit I'm not very crafty. I want to be, I long to be crafty. But somehow I just don't have "it." I like to find ideas and give them my own touch, however. Sometimes my touch ruins the idea, but hey, I try.
I found this cute idea about tile magnets over at Creations by Kara. But because I didn't have any vinyl to use to cut out pretty shapes, I decided to try pictures instead. But you use what works for you.
Here's what you'll need:
A sheet of 2-inch tiles (there are 36 to a sheet and I think the cost was about $2.60)
A picture or two or three
A utility knife, a craft knife, and scissors
A cutting mat
Craft glue
Spray acrylic sealer
Magnets (I used the ones that come in a roll and cut them to fit)
First, cut apart the tiles. I used the utility knife to cut right through the glue holding the sheet together.
Then I shaved the glue remnants from all sides of the tile with the knife until the tile was smooth. There will be a little bit of glue on the back of the tile, but that's okay. You just don't want any on the sides.
Now you want to cut your picture to fit the tile. I traced the tile onto cardstock and cut out the square. Then I cut about a half-inch all the way around to form a frame or window. I put the frame over my picture to see what would fit on the tile. This is Mr. Lego's kindergarten picture. Isn't he cute?
I traced the inner frame onto the picture and cut it out. I'm sorry the picture is so blurry. Unfortunately, it's not blurry enough that you can't see the mess on the table! Oops!
Apply glue to the tile, all over. Use a good craft glue like Aleene's or Crafter's Pick. Place your picture on the tile and press to adhere well. Let dry overnight. Be patient, trust me. The tile is slick and will need some time to let the glue do its work. Don't ask me how I know this. I just do.
Once the glue has dried completely, trim off any picture overhang with a craft knife. Then go to a well-ventilated area, like outside, and spray on a layer of acrylic sealer. Allow this to dry completely as well. Depending on the humidity level, it can take anywhere from an hour to all day. Again, be patient. And do not touch the acrylic surface unless you want to leave a fingerprint on your pretty magnet. It's another one of those things I just know about. Okay?
When your acrylic is completely dry, it's time to glue on the magnets. I cut mine to fit the tile, then applied glue to them even though they were supposed to be self-adhesive. That self-adhesive stuff isn't strong. How would you feel if you went to move your magnet on the fridge and the magnets got left behind? Well, that's what will happen if you trust the self-adhesiveness. I know this. Let the glue dry.
Now you're ready to use the magnets! Here's Mr. Lego on the fridge.
And here he is on the oven! I would never let him do this if the oven was turned on.
Here he is on the range hood! This child sure knows his way around the kitchen!
After all was said and done, my husband suggested using glossy Modge Podge. That would have saved the glue and acrylic steps. I think I might try that approach later, but for now, I'm satisfied with the result.
Picture magnets of your children would make great gifts for the grandparents. A favorite vacation photo might be nice to use or even a family pet's picture. Why not try using scrapbook paper to match your kitchen decor? The possibilities are endless. And did I mention how cheap these were to make?
That works for me! Check out some other great tips at Works for Me Wednesday.
I found this cute idea about tile magnets over at Creations by Kara. But because I didn't have any vinyl to use to cut out pretty shapes, I decided to try pictures instead. But you use what works for you.
Here's what you'll need:
A sheet of 2-inch tiles (there are 36 to a sheet and I think the cost was about $2.60)
A picture or two or three
A utility knife, a craft knife, and scissors
A cutting mat
Craft glue
Spray acrylic sealer
Magnets (I used the ones that come in a roll and cut them to fit)
First, cut apart the tiles. I used the utility knife to cut right through the glue holding the sheet together.
Then I shaved the glue remnants from all sides of the tile with the knife until the tile was smooth. There will be a little bit of glue on the back of the tile, but that's okay. You just don't want any on the sides.
Now you want to cut your picture to fit the tile. I traced the tile onto cardstock and cut out the square. Then I cut about a half-inch all the way around to form a frame or window. I put the frame over my picture to see what would fit on the tile. This is Mr. Lego's kindergarten picture. Isn't he cute?
I traced the inner frame onto the picture and cut it out. I'm sorry the picture is so blurry. Unfortunately, it's not blurry enough that you can't see the mess on the table! Oops!
Apply glue to the tile, all over. Use a good craft glue like Aleene's or Crafter's Pick. Place your picture on the tile and press to adhere well. Let dry overnight. Be patient, trust me. The tile is slick and will need some time to let the glue do its work. Don't ask me how I know this. I just do.
Once the glue has dried completely, trim off any picture overhang with a craft knife. Then go to a well-ventilated area, like outside, and spray on a layer of acrylic sealer. Allow this to dry completely as well. Depending on the humidity level, it can take anywhere from an hour to all day. Again, be patient. And do not touch the acrylic surface unless you want to leave a fingerprint on your pretty magnet. It's another one of those things I just know about. Okay?
When your acrylic is completely dry, it's time to glue on the magnets. I cut mine to fit the tile, then applied glue to them even though they were supposed to be self-adhesive. That self-adhesive stuff isn't strong. How would you feel if you went to move your magnet on the fridge and the magnets got left behind? Well, that's what will happen if you trust the self-adhesiveness. I know this. Let the glue dry.
Now you're ready to use the magnets! Here's Mr. Lego on the fridge.
And here he is on the oven! I would never let him do this if the oven was turned on.
Here he is on the range hood! This child sure knows his way around the kitchen!
After all was said and done, my husband suggested using glossy Modge Podge. That would have saved the glue and acrylic steps. I think I might try that approach later, but for now, I'm satisfied with the result.
Picture magnets of your children would make great gifts for the grandparents. A favorite vacation photo might be nice to use or even a family pet's picture. Why not try using scrapbook paper to match your kitchen decor? The possibilities are endless. And did I mention how cheap these were to make?
That works for me! Check out some other great tips at Works for Me Wednesday.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Fabulous Flatbread
I love bread. All kinds. But this recipe is one of my favorites. It's very versatile and can be used for mini pizzas or sandwiches or scooping up hummus or dip. If you decide to make it, be aware that it takes about 2 hours with rising, rolling and cooking.
First, let me introduce you to my cooktop.
Our house was built in 1975. It has tons of 70's character and charm. This cooktop is one example. That is a griddle there in the middle. Ha! Such poetry. I promise you that the burn mark on the sunny yellow countertop was there when we moved in. Promise.
This is a close up with the griddle cover removed. See how seasoned and well-used it is? I didn't think I would like having a griddle on the stovetop at first, but I've grown to really like the convenience of it. It's come in very handy for making flatbread. And pancakes. But today it's just about the flatbread.
Fabulous Flatbread
1 pkg active dry yeast (2 1/4 teas)
1 cup warm water
1/4 cup white sugar
2 TSBP milk
1 egg, beaten
2 teas salt
3 1/2 - 4 cups bread flour
1/4 cup butter, melted
In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in the water. Let stand about 10 minutes until frothy. Stir in the sugar, milk, egg and salt. Add enough flour to make a soft dough. I usually start with 3 cups and work my way up to 3 1/2. Knead for 6-8 minutes or until smooth. A Kitchenaid mixer is awesome for this. Place the dough in a greased bowl. Cover and let rise for about an hour, until doubled in volume.
Punch the dough down and pinch off golf-ball sized pieces. You can make these bigger if you want. Roll into balls and place on a greased cookie sheet. I normally get a dozen portions out of this. Cover and let rise until doubled in size. This should take about 30 minutes.
Heat your griddle to high. If you want to grill this bread, that will work too. Roll out one or two balls of dough into thin circles, or as many as will fit on your griddle at one time. Be sure to use a little flour to keep the circles from sticking. Lightly rub griddle with oil. Place dough onto the griddle and brush with melted butter. It should bubble up like this almost immediately.
Cook for 2-3 minutes until puffy. Flip over and brush cooked side with butter. They should look brown but not burnt. Turn the heat down slightly if they're browning too quickly. Cook another 2-3 minutes after flipping.
Repeat with the remaining dough balls. You will end up with a stack like this. Oh, the possibilities!
I've used these to make gyros, Philly cheese steak sandwiches and pizzas. My kids like to eat them plain. They will keep in a Ziploc bag for a couple of days, but I don't think they've ever lasted that long around here. If you want to reheat them, wrap in a damp paper towel and pop into the microwave for a few seconds. If you have a griddle in the middle (I just said it again!) you can throw them on for a minute or two on each side.
Enjoy!
This recipe is linked to Tempt My Tummy Tuesday over at Blessed with Grace.
First, let me introduce you to my cooktop.
Our house was built in 1975. It has tons of 70's character and charm. This cooktop is one example. That is a griddle there in the middle. Ha! Such poetry. I promise you that the burn mark on the sunny yellow countertop was there when we moved in. Promise.
This is a close up with the griddle cover removed. See how seasoned and well-used it is? I didn't think I would like having a griddle on the stovetop at first, but I've grown to really like the convenience of it. It's come in very handy for making flatbread. And pancakes. But today it's just about the flatbread.Fabulous Flatbread
1 pkg active dry yeast (2 1/4 teas)
1 cup warm water
1/4 cup white sugar
2 TSBP milk
1 egg, beaten
2 teas salt
3 1/2 - 4 cups bread flour
1/4 cup butter, melted
In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in the water. Let stand about 10 minutes until frothy. Stir in the sugar, milk, egg and salt. Add enough flour to make a soft dough. I usually start with 3 cups and work my way up to 3 1/2. Knead for 6-8 minutes or until smooth. A Kitchenaid mixer is awesome for this. Place the dough in a greased bowl. Cover and let rise for about an hour, until doubled in volume.
Punch the dough down and pinch off golf-ball sized pieces. You can make these bigger if you want. Roll into balls and place on a greased cookie sheet. I normally get a dozen portions out of this. Cover and let rise until doubled in size. This should take about 30 minutes.
Heat your griddle to high. If you want to grill this bread, that will work too. Roll out one or two balls of dough into thin circles, or as many as will fit on your griddle at one time. Be sure to use a little flour to keep the circles from sticking. Lightly rub griddle with oil. Place dough onto the griddle and brush with melted butter. It should bubble up like this almost immediately.
Cook for 2-3 minutes until puffy. Flip over and brush cooked side with butter. They should look brown but not burnt. Turn the heat down slightly if they're browning too quickly. Cook another 2-3 minutes after flipping.
Repeat with the remaining dough balls. You will end up with a stack like this. Oh, the possibilities!
I've used these to make gyros, Philly cheese steak sandwiches and pizzas. My kids like to eat them plain. They will keep in a Ziploc bag for a couple of days, but I don't think they've ever lasted that long around here. If you want to reheat them, wrap in a damp paper towel and pop into the microwave for a few seconds. If you have a griddle in the middle (I just said it again!) you can throw them on for a minute or two on each side.Enjoy!
This recipe is linked to Tempt My Tummy Tuesday over at Blessed with Grace.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Menu Plan Monday
We had a marvelous Thanksgiving dinner. The brined turkey was perfect and juicy. I will definitely make brining a yearly tradition! And the leftovers were so good in the Turkey and Rice soup. I'll still be cooking this week, but not on such a large scale and just for my little family.
On Saturday, we're hosting our annual Sunday School Christmas party. I'll be making several pork roasts in the crockpot and shredding them for BBQ sandwiches. The rest of the food will be supplied by our guests and we expect about 30 people. There are a lot of great cooks in our class, so we're anticipating a feast! And the fellowship is sure to be sweet and funny. We always have such a great time with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Since all of our family lives out of state, these people have become family to us and we're so very thankful for them.
Sunday
Penne pasta casserole, salad, bread
Apple Spice Cake
Monday
Deep dish pizza
Tuesday
Chinese chicken and rice
Wednesday
Spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread
Thursday
Baked chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes
Friday
Corn chowder, bread
Saturday
Sunday School Christmas party
For more great meal plans, visit the Organizing Junkie.
On Saturday, we're hosting our annual Sunday School Christmas party. I'll be making several pork roasts in the crockpot and shredding them for BBQ sandwiches. The rest of the food will be supplied by our guests and we expect about 30 people. There are a lot of great cooks in our class, so we're anticipating a feast! And the fellowship is sure to be sweet and funny. We always have such a great time with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Since all of our family lives out of state, these people have become family to us and we're so very thankful for them.
Sunday
Penne pasta casserole, salad, bread
Apple Spice Cake
Monday
Deep dish pizza
Tuesday
Chinese chicken and rice
Wednesday
Spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread
Thursday
Baked chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes
Friday
Corn chowder, bread
Saturday
Sunday School Christmas party
For more great meal plans, visit the Organizing Junkie.
Foolproof Bread for the bread machine
I love my bread machine. My mother-in-law gave it to me shortly after I married her handsome son. It's very easy to use and has lasted for over 10 years. I've tried dozens of recipes over the years, trying to get the perfect loaf of white bread. I finally found it. It's so easy!
I often measure out the dry ingredients (minus the yeast) into Ziploc bags and store in the freezer so I always have it on hand. I set up an assembly line on the counter until I have several batches bagged up. Then I can just grab a bag out of the freezer, dump it into the bread machine pan, add the wet ingredients and yeast, and start pressing buttons. A few minutes filling up Ziploc bags saves me tons of time later.
Foolproof Bread for the Bread Machine
1 cup warm water
3 TBSP olive oil
3 cups bread flour
3 TBSP sugar
1 1/2 teas salt
2 1/4 (or one pkg) dry yeast
Add the ingredients to the bread machine pan in the order recommended by your machine. Select the white bread setting and press start. My machine also has a medium or dark crust setting. I always choose medium.
Sometimes I add garlic powder and Italian seasoning if I'm making bread to accompany pasta. I've also added grated Parmesan cheese and pepper. You can add whatever seasonings or spices you like.
Serve warm with butter. Lots of melty butter!
I often measure out the dry ingredients (minus the yeast) into Ziploc bags and store in the freezer so I always have it on hand. I set up an assembly line on the counter until I have several batches bagged up. Then I can just grab a bag out of the freezer, dump it into the bread machine pan, add the wet ingredients and yeast, and start pressing buttons. A few minutes filling up Ziploc bags saves me tons of time later.
Foolproof Bread for the Bread Machine
1 cup warm water
3 TBSP olive oil
3 cups bread flour
3 TBSP sugar
1 1/2 teas salt
2 1/4 (or one pkg) dry yeast
Add the ingredients to the bread machine pan in the order recommended by your machine. Select the white bread setting and press start. My machine also has a medium or dark crust setting. I always choose medium.
Sometimes I add garlic powder and Italian seasoning if I'm making bread to accompany pasta. I've also added grated Parmesan cheese and pepper. You can add whatever seasonings or spices you like.
Serve warm with butter. Lots of melty butter!
Apple Spice Cake
If you need an easy dessert, this cake is for you. I had some apple pie filling left over from my Thanksgiving desserts and wanted to use it for something other than pie. I found a couple of recipes that called for a yellow cake mix, but I didn't have one on hand. I did, however, have a spice cake mix. And what goes better together than cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and apples? Ummm, not much! So I thawed the filling and started mixing.
Apple Spice Cake
1 box spice cake mix
3 eggs
1 can apple pie filling (if you're using homemade, use enough for one pie)
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 TBSP butter, melted
Mix cake mix, eggs and pie filling together until well blended and spread into a greased 9x13 pan. Combine the remaining ingredients and sprinkle over the batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
This was a moist cake but not too sweet. Next time I make it, I'm going to finish it off with a simple powdered sugar/milk glaze. Or maybe I'll leave the nut topping off and use vanilla frosting instead. Both will be fabulous, I'm sure.
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