NANCY'S SWEET AND SPICY MIX

NANCY'S SWEET AND SPICY MIX

Makes 8 cups.

Note: The original version used 6 cups of cereal, and it was really sinful! We tested the mix a second time using 8 cups of cereal and preferred this slightly less "coated" version. Crispix is a blend of corn and rice. You could use a blend of half Rice Chex and half Corn Chex cereals. If you're trying to cut back a bit on calories, we also tested the mix using only 1 stick of butter. While not as rich, it was still delicious. Omit all or most of the cayenne pepper if serving very young children.

• 8 c. Kellogg's Crispix cereal (see Note)

• 1 c. unsalted pecans

• 1 c. pretzels, any shape

• 11/2 sticks (3/4 c.) butter (see Note)

• 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper, or to taste (see Note)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9-by-13-inch baking pan and set aside. (You can use the butter wrapper or nonstick spray.) Or, for easier cleanup, line the pan with parchment.

Pour the cereal, pecans and pretzels into a 3-quart or larger bowl or cooking pot and toss to mix.

In a small saucepan, begin melting the butter over medium-high heat. Stir in the brown sugar, and bring the mixture to a boil. Cook at a moderate boil for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and pour at once over the cereal mix. Toss lightly to coat the mix as well as possible.

Nutrition information per 1/4 -cup serving:

Calories115Fat7 gSodium128 mg

Carbohydrates13 gSaturated fat3 gProtein1 g

Cholesterol11 mgDietary fiber1 g

AMY'S NUTS AND BOLTS

• 3 c. Corn Chex cereal

• 3 c. Rice Chex cereal

• 3 c. Wheat Chex cereal

• 2 c. unsalted pretzels

• 1 c. (6 oz.) unsalted mixed nuts or peanuts

• 2 tsp. lemon juice

• 11/4 tsp. seasoning salt

• 1 tsp. garlic powder

• 2 tsp. ground cumin

• 1 tsp. chili powder

Directions

Turn on the oven to 275 degrees.

Pour all of the cereal, pretzels and nuts into a 4-quart or larger mixing bowl or cooking pot. Toss gently to mix. Set aside.

Put the Worcestershire, lemon juice and all of the spices into a 1-cup or larger glass measure. Stir with a fork or small whisk to mix well. Add the oil and microwave, uncovered on high, for 1 minute. Remove from the microwave and stir well.

Pour the warmed oil mixture over the cereal mix and use a rubber spatula to remove all of the spices from the cup. Use the spatula to gently toss the cereal mixture and coat it with the oil mixture as best you can.

Nutrition information per 1/4 -cup serving:

Calories71Fat4 gSodium97 mg

Carbohydrates7 gSaturated fat1 gProtein1 g