Bunko Popcorn

This was a hit at Bunko, so here is the recipe!

8 cups popped popcorn
1 lb. white chocolate, almond bark or melts
2 cups crushed Fritos corn chips
M & M's (I used one regular size bag)

Pop popcorn. Put popped popcorn, fritos and M&M's into a large bowl and evenly mix. Melt white choc. in microwave, stiring every 30 seconds until melted. Pour melted choc. over popcorn ixture and stir to coat compleatly. Pour onto wax paper and allow to cool and dry.

Enjoy!!! and don't blame me if you eat the whole bowl!

Note: Can use regular colored M&M's or colored according to the season!! :)

Glass Block Jello

Thought this looked fun....and it has been WAY too long since someone posted something new!! :-)

Glass Block Holiday Jello

4 3-oz. packages assorted Jello (in coordinating colors)
2 packets unflavored gelatin
1 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk

Spray 4 small food storage containers (like Tupperware/Gladware/Rubbermaid) with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.

Bring 5+ cups of water to a boil. Combine 1 c. boiling water with 1 package of Jello, stirring until dissolved. Place the dissolved Jello in one of the prepared containers. Repeat with the remaining packages of Jello. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferable overnight.

When the Jello has set, bring another 1 1/2 c. of water to a boil. While the water is heating, sprinkle 2 packets of unflavored gelatin over 1/2 c. of cold water. Allow to stand for about 4 minutes. When the water is boiling, pour 1 1/2 c. boiling water over the dissolved gelatin and stir to combine. Add the sweetened condensed milk and mix well. Allow to come to room temperature.

Lightly spray a 9×13″ pan with non-stick cooking spray. Carefully cut the colored Jello into cubes and gently toss to combine in the 9×13″ pan. Pour the cooled milk mixture over the colored Jello and, if necessary, rearrange some of the colored Jello to make sure it is evenly distributed and not sticking out of the white mixture too far.

Place the 9×13″ pan in the refrigerator and chill overnight. Cut into squares, rectangles, or various shapes with cookie cutters and serve.

Scones and Honey Butter

These are really easy and YuMmY!!

For the scones I just bought the cheap biscuit dough that comes in a four pack in the refrigerated section. Fill a pan 1/2-3/4 full of oil, heat on stove. When oil is hot, flatten each biscuit by hand then carefully place in oil (they cook fast).

Honey Butter
1 stick Butter-softened
1/4 cup Marshmallow Creme
1/4 cup Honey

Beat ingredients together until well mixed. Serve on hot scones!

Crispy Kale Snacks

These are a little different but an easy way to get some crispy veggies in!

1 bunch Kale
Cooking spray (I used olive oil Pam)
Lemon Pepper - salt free if you can find it
Salt, preferably kosher

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Wash and pat dry kale. Remove leaves from the stems and tear leaves into chip sized pieces. Spray baking sheet with Pam, then place leaves on it and lightly spray the kale. Put baking sheet on the lowest oven rack and immediately turn the temperature down to 300 degrees. Bake for 20 minutes or until all dried/crispy. Be careful not to leave it in too long so the leaves brown on the ends - that is too done.

I only had salt included lemon pepper and so I left off the salt and they were good!

Easy Homemade Granola

Easy Homemade Granola
from "Baked: New Frontiers in Baking" by Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito
Ingredients:
2 cups rolled oats
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/3 cup whole almonds [Note: I used slivered almonds, and they worked fine.]
1/3 cup whole hazelnuts
1/3 cup golden raisins
1/3 cup dried cherries

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, toss the oats with the cinnamon and salt.
In a medium bowl, stir together the oil, honey, brown sugar, and vanilla. Whisk until completely combined.
Pour the honey mixture over the oats mixture and use your hands to combine them: Gather up some of the mixture in each hand and make a fist. Repeat until all of the oats are coated with the honey mixture.
Pour the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Spread it out evenly, but leave a few clumps here and there for texture.
Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and use a metal spatula to lift and flip the granola. Sprinkle the almonds over the granola and return the baking sheet to the oven.
Bake for 5 minutes, then remove from the oven and use a metal spatula to lift and flip the granola. Sprinkle the hazelnuts over the granola and return the baking sheet to the oven.
Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven. Let cool completely. Sprinkle the raisins and cherries over the granola...

I couldn't find hazelnuts so I just used 1/2 c of sliced almonds. Then I used mixed berry dried fruit. 2/3 of a cup of that. It made 4 cups of granola and is 105 calories in 1/4 c. It is SOOOOO yummy!