Monday, November 19, 2007

Microwavable Gold

Oh my goodness - I've struck holiday snack food gold!

Usually sometime around this time of year I like to start trying to keep at least one holiday goody on hand to munch on. This usually starts in earnest in early December as I open up our Christmas stuff and find all my 'tins'. (In my case these are actually plastic, but the idea is the same, right?)

This annual Filling of the Tins also coincides with my sister's return home from the fall semester. She usually arrives home ready to commence with all things holidayish - mainly putting up the tree and filling the tins. So... knowing she is across town creating holiday goodness to munch on, and knowing this has been my own intention for a good week or two, I cannot be out-domesticated by my unmarried college-student sister and I finally get serious about the Filling of the Tins at our house.

I've come up with some favorites over the past few years, and some that will never be made again. One of our new favorites just made its debut last year. I'll be sure and share these as they each make their appearances this year.

One simple classic I have never mastered has been party mix. Yes, I know. It is supposed to be easy: square cereal, pretzels, nuts, butter, worcestershire.... but mine is never right. But ohhhh, buddy. I've got it now. My own party mix! So easy, so good, and you make it in the microwave!!!

Inspired by upcoming Thanksgiving preparations and curious about the simplicity of this recipe, I decided to go ahead and give it a try. And believe me: it will definitely have a tin of its very own come December!

So, first the recipe, and then I'll tell you how I changed it. Because I can never just follow a recipe. (It is no mystery why my successes are sprinkled with odd failures, is it?)

Taco Tidbits
(ummm.... not a fan of the name... maybe why I've never made it? Even though it is from a 2001 magazine?)


Anyway...

Taco Tidbits
Taco Party Mix
6 tablespoons butter or margarine

2-3 tablespoons taco seasoning
8 cups corn chex
1/4 c grated parmesan cheese

Place butter in 11x7 microwave-safe dish. Microwave on high 1 minute or until butter is melted.
Add taco seasoning. Stir in the cereal until evenly coated. Microwave on high 1 minute. Stir.
Heat 1 - 1 1/2 minutes longer; stir.
Sprinkle with Parmesan, microwave for 1 minute. Stir; Heat 1 minute longer. Cool.

Ok. So here's what I did. First of all, I halved it since I still wasn't sure it would be any good. (O me of little faith.)
I also added in a cupful of goldfish crackers. Definitely a good addition.
I really wasn't sure about parmesan cheese mixed with taco seasoning, and was going to leave it out, but at the last minute sprinkled some in. Maybe less than even the halved recipe called for? (I didn't measure) But it does go well with it.

Yum-o! as
Rachael Ray would say! This is really SO good. I think it would be fine if you wanted to go all out with the pretzels and nuts and everything, but I like the simplicity of it. This is my new party mix! :)

3 comments:

Lisa said...

Been to the store and been cooking, eh? Sounds like somebody is trying to get a head start! You had better save me a sample! ;)

Anonymous said...

I am so coming home today and this blog entry has gotten me motivated! I'm ready to fill me some tins and start a large puzzle that I will most likely not finish! Woo! Maybe this is the year I will finish. Who knows.

Kara said...

I just got back from the insanity of the store, serves me right going today, but I've got the ingredients for your mix! Thanks for sharing.