‘With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching,” Marysville cook and cookbook author Dianne Berst writes, “I wanted to share this party mix.
“This recipe can be varied each holiday by using M&Ms to color-coordinate with the holiday, as well as packages of soft mallow candies, such as candy hearts, candy corn for Halloween, red and green trees and holiday mixtures for Christmas, red, white and blue candies for the Fourth of July, and whatever else you find throughout the year.
“All of these are best found in the bulk food sections at grocery stores.”
Holiday party mix
1package (11 ounces) stick pretzels
1package (101/2 ounces) Ritz peanut butter crackers
1jar (16 ounces) dry-roasted peanuts
1cup sugar
1/2cup butter
1/2cup light corn syrup
2tablespoons vanilla
1teaspoon baking soda
1package (10 ounces) M&M peanut candies (vary color with each holiday)
10-16 ounces soft mallow candy (check bulk foods section at supermarkets), varied with each holiday
In a large bowl, combine the pretzels, peanut butter crackers and peanuts; set aside. In a heavy saucepan, combine sugar, butter and corn syrup; bring to boil and cook 5 minutes over medium heat. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and baking soda. Mixture will foam. Pour over pretzel mixture.
Transfer mixture to a greased roaster-size pan (or two 9-by-13-inch baking pans) and bake at 250 degrees for 1 hour, stirring every 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from oven and break apart while still warm. When cooled, combine with the M&Ms and mallow candy. Store in an airtight container.
SOS: Marysville reader Barbara Friend says, “I’d like to ask your readers if they have a solution to a problem I have. Our son-in-law is sensitive to cream cheese, sour cream, buttermilk, and anything with whey/whey solids in it. I’ve read a lot of labels and ingredients, trying not to make him sick.
“My question is, are there any adjustments/substitutions that can be made to recipes where any of these ingredients are listed? What happens if I use sweet milk instead of buttermilk? How would I need to adjust the other ingredients? Or maybe it cannot be done? I’d be grateful for any ideas.”
If you can help, please write to Judyrae Kruse at the Forum, c/o The Herald, P.O. Box 930, Everett, WA 98206.
We are always happy to receive your contributions and requests, but please remember that all letters and all e-mail must include a name, complete address with ZIP code and telephone number with area code. No exceptions and sorry, but no response to e-mail by return e-mail; send to kruse@heraldnet.com.
The next Forum will appear in Monday’s Time Out section.
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