Are you experiencing the after-Christmas letdown yet? Don’t worry. Everybody goes through it and we all get over it. Now you have New Year’s Day and all those bowl games to look forward to. These easy, delicious “touchdown” treats to make them memorable, regardless of which team wins.
Touchdown Munch (Sweet & Crunchy Mix)
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/4 cup honey
1 tablespoon lemon peel, grated
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
2 quarts popcorn, popped
1 1/2 cups golden raisins
1 1/2 cups dried apricots, diced
1 1/2 cups dry roasted peanuts
In a saucepan melt butter or margarine. Stir in honey, lemon peel, and cinnamon. Drizzle over popcorn in large bowl. Add raisins, apricots, and peanuts. Toss gently until well mixed. Serve immediately or place individual portions in self-sealing storage bags. Makes 2 1/2 quarts.
Cheese Straws (Savory & Spicy Bite-Sized Snacks)
1 pound grated sharp Cheddar cheese
3/4 cup margarine (don’t use butter)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 drops Tabasco sauce
Dash red (cayenne) pepper or to taste
Have grated cheese and margarine at room temperature before beginning. Sift flour with baking powder and salt. With hands, mix margarine and cheese well; add Tabasco, pepper and flour mixture. Mix well and chill. Roll dough with hands into 2- to 3-inch sticks on a lightly floured surface. Press on ungreased baking sheets.
Bake in preheated 300-degree oven for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 225 and bake 5 to 10 minutes more, until crisp. If you think straws are baking too fast, crack oven door. Makes about 100. These freeze well.
