Russ' Snack Mix

For a " 4 Quart Oval " slow cooker see Tips & Ideas below ( see Tip #2 )

        I orginally found a recipe for this mix on the internet years ago.   Over time I've modified the " sauce " that the mix is covered in while cooking and now this " Snack Mix " has always been a highlight to family gatherings ! - ( Some family members through out the year beg me to make it and give them a bag - LOL )

Ingredients for Mix:  -  ( see Tip #1 )
    ( The below is what I typically use but I also change it up from time to time - and you can too )

  3 - cups of Rice Chex
  3 - cups of Honey Nut Cheerios
  2 - cups of small pretzels  -  ( sticks, butter snaps, etc. )
  1 - cup of small cheese style crackers ( Cheese-it's, Better Cheddars, etc. )
  1 - 8 oz. bag of Gardetto's Garlic Rye Chips
  1/2 - cup of some type of nuts ( or mixed nuts )

Ingredients for Sauce:

  1 - stick of butter  -  ( sliced and melted in a microwave )
  3 - Tablespoons of Grated Parmesan Cheese
  1 - Tablespoon of Worcestershire Sauce
  1 - teaspoon of Garlic Powder
  1 - teaspoon of Seasoned Salt
  1 - teaspoon of Celery Salt

Directions:

  Add the " Mix Ingredients" into your slow cooker and stir until mixed well.  -  ( Add additional ingredients until cooker is close to full )
  In a large bowl place the sliced butter and microwave until melted.
  Then add the next 5 sauce ingredients to bowl and stir well.
  Pour 1/2 of the liquid ingredients over the dry ingredients and carefully stir mixture with a flat spatula ( easiest method ) or a large spoon.
  Then pour the rest of the liquid ingredients over the dry ingredients and stir again.
  Turn the slow cooker on low and cover.  -  ( total cooking time is 2 hours ).
  After every 30 minutes uncover and stir mixture.  -  ( 3 times total ).
  Once cooking time is done carefully pour mixture into cooking sheets to dry out.  -  ( Remember the crock will be hot so use oven mitts to lift ).
  Place in gallow freezer bags to store and to insure they stay fresh.  -  ( Quart bags can also be used for easier handling while eating ).
  Enjoy !

    " Our personal Favorite Way To Make This "
includes only two dry ingredients:
One box of " Ritz Everything Crackers " ~ ( for Russ )
A bag of " Pretzel Sticks " ~ ( for Karen )

         The dry mixture ingredients you use is total up to you based on your own likes and dislikes !.   As seen in the picture above I sometimes also use bugles, etc.....

Sometime I use " 2 cups of Rice Chex " and " 1 cup of Wheat Chex ".
" Or leave out the nuts entirely ".
Or instead of the " 2 cups of small pretzels " I use " 1 bag of Pepperridge Farms Fish Pretzels " and " 1 bag of Pepperidge Farm Cheddar Fish ".
Or instead of the " 3 of Honey Nut Cheerios " ... I use " 2 cups of Honey Nut Cheerios " and " 1 cup of Frosted little bites Mini-Wheats ".

      " The possibilities are endless " ...... Look around your grocery store next time to see the possibilities for your personal " Snack Mix " " !

         For a " 4 Quart Oval Slow Cooker " decrease the butter used to " 6 Tablespoons " however use the rest of the sauce ingredients as noted above.   The flavors will, of course, be more intense but still very good.   ( I actually like it a little stronger however I do use about only 3/4 of a Tablespoon of Worcestershire Sauce in a 4 Quart version )   Once trying you can always decrease one of the sauce ingredients if you feel it's to overpowering for your taste.

or at
( russpickde@comcast.net )

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