I don't just feel like a winner because the tiles are still sticking to the shower wall. I won a competition among the Indiana grad student residence hall supervisors for Mom's Best Chex Mix, with my version known as Kris Kringle Krunch. Plus, I'm getting ready to volunteer at the chip check station for The Rock Marathon's Fitness Expo next weekend. Have fun and get a free t-shirt? What a deal.
After their Thanksgiving visits my sons needed extra carry-on bags for hauling their Krunch back to campus. Krunch is how college sons know their mommy still loves them!
I offered to wear a t-shirt marked "Chip Dip" while manning the chip testing mat at the Expo. The volunteer coordinator politely suggested I could be a "Chip Chick". This sobriquet reminded me less of a Hooter's gal than of that legendary woodchuck chucking wood. I think I'll just call myself the "Chip Mama".
Chip dip always meant stirring one package of dry Good Season's dressing mix into a pint of sour cream. Serve with Fritos and Fresca!
I am loathe to give up my winning Chex Mix recipe, but I will offer a few hints:
This is not a microwave recipe. Good things take time!
The Cheerios, Corn Chex, and Rice Chex may be replaced with store brands, but don't tamper with the Wheat Chex.
Frito Lay is a major employer in my Dallas suburb, so I use Rold Gold pretzel rods or tiny twists. Mister Salty disappeared from our grocery shelves years ago.
Add only the nuts your family likes.
Don't use the lowest price oleo. Spend a little bit more for a better result.
Melt the oleo in a big bowl in the microwave.
Stir the Lawry's Seasoned Salt, garlic powder, and Worchestershire sauce into the melted oleo.
Preheat the oven to 250, even if Great Aunt Neuralgia says 200 degrees.
Contemporary snackers are accustomed to more spicy flavors than your Great Aunt Neuralgia. Add cumin, Tabasco, cayenne, paprika, more garlic, cilantro, and sage to the oleo mix.
Put all the cereals and nuts in big roasters.
Drizzle the oleo/spice mix over the cereal mixes in the roasters.
Use a Rubbermaid spoon-shaped spatula to mix up the ingredients.
Bake in the 250 oven 2.5 hours uncovered, stirring every half hour with the rubber spatula.
Be sure to taste-test every time you stir!
After 2.5 hours, turn the oven off, and leave the roasters in the oven until morning.*
In the morning, scoop the Krunch into large and small containers. Cover tightly. Put some in the freezer.
Always tell the postal worker that you are mailing Chex Mix as a survival kit to your college kid. It seems to brighten their day, and keeps them from being disgruntled.
*Do not trust this step to a male spouse or family member. My ex turned the oven to BROIL instead of OFF. When I returned home with my children the house was filled with smoke, and the Chex Mix was cremated.
Carbon 14 dating is not an online service for middle-aged singles, but maybe it shoud be.
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