Spicy Pretzels - the perfect party snack

Happy Independence Day!

Did you forget to make something for a (socially distanced) gathering this Holiday weekend? If' so I've got the perfect, easy snack for you. Spicy Pretzels! When I lived in North Dakota we had the most amazing little company that made these seasoned pretzels, they were so good, but hard to find. So I did what I do, tinkered in the kitchen, and came up with my own. They are so good! My family prefers them to the name brand ones, and honestly, so do I.

I make these pretty much year round, but I especially love to make them as neighbor treats during the holidays.

Ingredients

1 large (party) bag of pretzels - i like Snyders sticks or 2 bags of the Winco braided sticks (shown here) 

3 TBS Ranch seasoning powder or 1 Packet

1 tsp Lemon Pepper

1 tsp cayenne or 2 tsp or Trader Joe's chili lime seasoning

1 tsp seasoning salt

1/3 cup vegetable oil (I use canola)

The Assembly 

In a large ziplock mix up the spices 

Then add the oil and "massage" it until you have a smooth past.

Next add the pretzels, shake them up a few times, let them sit for 2-4 hours, shaking them every so often. 

Finally spread on a backing sheet and  bake at 200 for 20 minutes (I then leave them in the oven to cool for another 20 minutes). Trust me, they need to be baked, the flavors just don't pop the same without a quick bake.

Don't forget to share the pretzel love. Happy Quarantine Summer Friends. 

Carmel Corn

I don't know what it is about fall, but fall brings out the snacker in me...puppy chow, carmel corn, cookies, chocolate covered pretzels...yummy! Today's Snackable is Carmel Corn.

The Deets
5-6 Cups of popped popcorn unsalted
1 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2 Cup Butter (1 Stick)
4 Cups Mini Marshmallows

The How To
Melt Butter over medium heat
Add Brown Sugar and Marshmallows
Stir until evenly melted (Don't Overcook or it will be hard)
Pour over popcorn toss until evenly coated

Enjoy the gooey deliciousness

Happy Snacking!

Puppy Chow

One of my favorite fall treats is puppy chow, otherwise known as muddy buddies. Simply put, it's chex cereal with chocolate, peanut butter and powdered sugar. Correctly put, it is a delicious and under appreciated treat!


The Deets
1 Cup Chocolate Chips
1 Cup Almond Butter
6-7 Cups of Chex Cereal
1 Cup Powdered Sugar

The How To
Melt Chocolate (microwave in plastic bowl on 50% heat for about 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds)
Add Almond Butter to Chocolate and mix until smooth
Pour over Chex Cereal (or add Chex to chocolate mix) and mix until cereal is covered
Once cereal is well coated, dump into paper bag
Add powdered sugar
Shake until covered with powdered sugar

It's so easy my baby sister can do it (& eat 1/2 the bowl in one evening!)

Enjoy your quick and easy sweet treat!

Guacamole!

This week I saw the biggest avocado I have ever seen. No exaggeration, it was Gigantic. Really, Really Gigantic.

Still doubting my use of the word Gigantic?

How about Now?

That's right! It's Gigantic! The Pit was the size of an average lime! It was a perfect buttery avocado. I would say it was equal to 2 1/2 to 3 normal avocados! Unbelievable and yet so Delicious!
Now, on with the Guac! I'm a purist when it comes to Guac - Guacamole - Avomole - Guacacado. Here's Guacamole My Way.

The Deets
1 Crazy Giant Avocado or 3 normal Avocados
1 Lime
Lemon Pepper to taste (I use about 4 grinds)
Sea Salt to taste (I use about 3 grinds)
1 tiny pinch of Garlic Salt

The How To
Scrape your Avocado(s) into a bowl and mash to slightly under your desired consistency since you will be mashing in the other ingredients (I like mine a little chunky)
Squeeze the Juice of one Lime (Roll Lime on Counter for 30-45 seconds to loosen up the juice prior to squeezing)
Add Lemon Pepper
Add Salt
Add tiny pinch of Garlic Salt
Mix by hand until well incorporated and is the desired consistency

 Grab your favorite Chips & Enjoy!

Kale Chips

If you haven't noticed by now, I have a thing for Kale.  It's really, really healthy and I can make it pretty darn tasty these days.  Kale is great sauteed, pureed, in a smoothie (in moderation) and as chips! I also have a thing for crunchy salty snacks. Hence the Kale Chip - crunchy, salty, delicious...oh & healthy! 


The Deets
1/2 Bunch of Kale (about 6 leaves)
1 tsp Olive Oil
1 tsp Sea Salt


The How To
Preheat oven to 375
Cut Kale into large pieces (about 4 pieces per leaf)
Toss Kale in Olive Oil
Lay out on baking sheet and sprinkle with salt
Bake for 15-20 minutes at 375.

Enjoy your healthy crispy snack!