Archive for Snacks
Delicious Homemade Pumpkin Seeds Recipe
Posted by: | Comments
I know you’re all thinking it, so I’ll just come out and say it… “Chris, you’re about 3 to 4 weeks late on this post!” And at this point I begin to think of a good excuse… and realize I don’t have one. Oops. So as an extra bonus feature with this post I’m going to give you TWO recipes. That’s right, two for the price of two one; the truth is, I was going to give you two recipes in this post anyway. Okay, confession time is over, and so is Halloween, and in here in Northern Utah, so is the pumpkin harvest. This probably means that most of you have either 1) already cooked up your pumpkin seeds, 2) thrown your pumpkin seeds away, or 3) left them in your fridge and they’re covered with a gooey white film and molding. Gross. Don’t ask how I know about the white film.
I do know, however, that at different times of the year you can still buy bagged, uncooked pumpkin seeds in the grocery stores. Yes! A reason to still create this blog entry. As always, a printable version is available at the bottom of the post. In today’s case, both pumpkin seed recipes are available. Here we go.
Make Caramel Popcorn & Win Friends Instantly
Posted by: | Comments
Today I’m going to share with you two secrets: 1) How to win friends instantly, and 2) how to make a sinfully delicious batch of caramel popcorn. Lucky for me, both secrets are one and the same. Make this recipe and share it with friends and you’ll instantly have your own entourage. I’ve just gotta’ add that homemade caramel popcorn was an essential part of my childhood diet. Heck, it’s still an essential part of my “diet.” In fact, every time I think of this recipe, I hear tiny voices in my head saying, “Eat me! Eat me!” It’s not always a good idea to listen to those tiny voices in my head, but in this case I tend to make an exception.
There are many caramel popcorn recipes out there, and I’ve tried many of them. I’m happy to report that this recipe has withstood the test of time and continues to be my favorite. It’s easy to make, its sweet, and its incredibly delicious. You can make it into caramel popcorn balls and even add nuts or other candy bits; it’s also quite versatile as far as ingredients are concerned. But my favorite part about it is the sticky chewy goodness that literally melts in your mouth, even hours after it’s made and has sat on the cupboard (that is of course, if it even lasts long enough to sit on the cupboard). At parties, this caramel popcorn is always first to go.
Smore Recipe: Have Smore then Have Smore
Posted by: | Comments
I hope it’s not too late in the summer for a post about smores (or s’mores). It’s hard to imagine a campfire outing without the crunchy, gooey goodness of a soft marshmallow and melted chocolate surrounded by a crunchy graham cracker. Gotta’ love it. I’m not sure who invented smores, but to whoever you are, you’re a hero in my book. The art of smore making has been passed down from generation to generation, but somehow the art missed my family. Good thing it’s not too hard to figure out, and I’ve been practicing it since I was 3 years old, not kidding. The hardest part is getting the marshmallow to that perfect golden-brown stage. It requires patience, young grasshopper. Here are a few instructions and tips from my book.
Tasty Microwave Chex Snack Mix
Posted by: | Comments
I’m a huge fan of easy snack mixes. They’re perfect for an evening with the family while playing games or watching a movie. They’re also great for trips and as a cheaper snack at the movie theater (can I say that?). This is an excellent, simple snack mix that you can make in the microwave in a matter of minutes. This recipe is from Southern Living, October 2006.
I recommend using a glass, microwave safe bowl for nuking this–unless you have an excellent plastic microwave safe bowl; otherwise, there’s a good chance your plastic bowls will melt away.
Healthy Popcorn Recipe for a Popcorn Movie
Posted by: | CommentsYou can’t settle down to watch a popcorn movie or play a board game without some popcorn. It’s an unwritten law, which I’m sad to say, I’ve broken a few times or two because I didn’t want all the calories and fats of that luscious buttery popcorn clogging my arteries. A few years ago I discovered my new butter friend: zero calorie butter spray. Both Parkay and I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter make it. In fact it’s entirely replaced butter spread in our home. Of course we still use regular butter cubes for baking. The zero calorie spray butter can be used on anything, but my favorite is popcorn. We’ve completely replaced popcorn bags with our popcorn air popper and zero calorie butter spray. Butter popcorn has never been the same, and it still tastes great. Next time you’re popping popcorn, try the following.
Instead of using microwave popcorn bags, buy popcorn kernels (Orville Redenbacher popcorn is my recommendation) and use your popcorn air popper. Pop however much popcorn you want and then instead of melting butter in the microwave, spray the zero calorie butter on it. Let me remind you that just because the butter is zero calories, doesn’t mean you can eat as much of it as you want. Still be frugal, or it defeats the purpose. Add a little salt for flavor and you’ve got some healthy popcorn to enjoy during your popcorn movie, and it’s not packed with all the guilt that accompanies unhealthy snacking. Years down the road your arteries will thank you.
