Buffalo Chex Mix

It's one of my favorite times of the year...Chex Mix time!  It's the perfect snack to take to a family gathering, share with friends & coworkers, or supper for one when you don't feel like cooking.  And there are so many different styles (thanks to Pinterest of course!) and I can't wait to some day try them all!
 

As you may have noticed from previous post, Aaron and I have love for Frank's Hot Wing Sauce.  We put it on pizza, mix it in our mac 'n cheese, and just about anything you can imagine.  And now we can add to the list... Chex Mix!

Here is what you'll need:
7 cups of any Chex cereal
(I used 3.5 cups each of rice and corn)
3 cups Cheez-Its - Pepper-Jack flavored
3 cups pretzel 

1 stick of melted butter
4 tablespoons hot wing sauce
1 packet Hidden Valley Ranch Dry Dressing Mix
 

The really simple steps:
Preheat oven to 250 degrees

In large bowl: mix cereals, crackers and pretzels 

In a small bowl: mix the melted butter with the hot sauce and dry ranch mix.

Pour over cereal mixture and coat evenly.  Spread mixture onto a large baking sheet. 

Bake for an hour, stirring every 20 minutes. 

Remove pan from oven to a wire rack till cool. 

Store in an airtight container or EAT IT ALL!!

Thoughts:

HOLY AWESOMENESS!! If you love the spicy, flavor fullness of hot wing sauce than this is the perfect snack for you.  Not only do you have the sauce giving you a bunch of flavor, but the added spice from the pepper-jack crackers are a GREAT touch!  The pretzels saltiness is a great contrast too. 

Aaron gave this a try and instantly loved it and when I took it to work to share with colleagues, they too enjoy the unique spin on the traditional Chex Mix.  This does make quite a bit of Chex Mix, so make sure you have an event to take it to or you'll be eating A LOT of Chex Mix (which really isn't really all that bad).


Give it a try and let me know what you think!
~Kellie Anne

Something New Sunday - Sour Patch Grapes

I have been dying to try these spring/summer snacks, since I first saw them on Pinterest a few months ago.  I had volunteered to bring some snack items to our family Easter and I thought this would be something my niece & nephews might like since they aren't a fan of my Rotel wraps.  Boy, was I right! :) They ate them up like candy (which they kind of are) but I was happy to seem them eat them up vs. the chocolate bunnies. 

Also, this has got to be one of the easiest recipes out there, with only two ingredients.  I think next time I make this I will have some of the little ones help me, cause they all like to help out especially in the kitchen. 

All you need is some grapes and your favorite Jello packet. You can use red or green grapes and any flavor of Jello that you like.  Wash the grapes and while they are still damp roll, cover and coat them in the unprepared Jello powder.  Once grapes are covered, placed them in a bowl and continue with clean grapes.  Once you have used up all the grapes (or Jello, whichever one comes first), place grapes in fridge, uncovered, for at least an hour to set coating.  Snack on these yummy grapes!!

 

  Tips:  I started with just a little Jello powder at a time and added more to the bowl as I went through the pile of grapes.  Some of grapes were a little two wet and caused the powder to start to change color and consistency.  Another tip I will give: when your not serving these, keep them cold (whether its a fridge or cooler).  As the grapes start to warm up, the coating starts to get soggy. 

I now can't wait till warmer weather, cause these will definitely be in my cooler on different outings!

~Kellie Anne


P.S - I didn't have my camera, so I had to use Aaron's phone to snap shots and that is why the pictures look so much cooler then my usual blog post.  And since I'm liking the way they look, this may just become a regular occurrence. Hmm.. I wonder what Aaron would say to that ;)