Expert: Teri Davis Newman - 4/23/2009

Question
QUESTION: I have invited 10 girls to my house just to play a game of cards.  I would like to serve some snacks to eat while we play, but I don't just want chips and dip. I want some snacks that are yummy, yet easy to make.  Is there such a thing?  What do you suggest?

ANSWER: There are lots of snacks that are yummy and easy to make.  I'd suggest sugared pecans or cookies.  Chex mix is easy to make an univerally liked as is queso dip or ranch pretzels--to die for good and stupid simple to make. Sliced Granny Smith apples dipped in caramel or strawberries dipped in the classic fruit dip made from cream cheese and cool whip are easy to make.  Wal-mart sells a chocolate fountain for home use that's under $50 and is all the rage because it's easy to use. The list of easy to make and delicious snacks is virtually endless, the hardest part is choosing the ones you want to make!

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QUESTION: They all sound delicious.  Can you, please, give me the recipe for queso dip and ranch pretzels?
I'll be shopping for the chocolate fountain tomorrow.
Thank you so much for your help. Also, would you please name a few more items on that "endless list of easy to make and delicious snacks"?' Sorry to be such a pest, but I really can't come up with much. I'm just not the domestic type in the kitchen.

Answer
You are not a pest.  Queso dip is stupid simple and you can make it in a crock pot or microwave.  Cut a 2 pound block of Velveeta into chunks and add two jars of medium spicy chunky salsa and either nuke it (stirring every 3-4 mins) until it's melted and smooth then pop it in the crock pot on low stirring every 30 mins or so.  Serve it with corn chips--Frito scoops are GREAT.

Ranch Pretzels
1/3 cup oil
1 package dry ranch dressing mix
1 tsp dill
1 pound bag of UNSALTED pretzels
Mix ranch, oil and dill.  Toss pretzels until coated and bake in 250 degree oven for about an hour stirring every 20 minutes. Store in airtight container.

Cinnamon Pecans
2 egg whites
2 tablespoons water
2 pounds pecans
1.5 cup white sugar
2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).
In a large bowl, beat egg whites with water until frothy. Stir in pecans and mix to coat. Combine sugar, cinnamon and salt and stir into pecan mixture. Spread on a baking sheet.
Bake in preheated oven 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Store in an airtight container.

SWEET CHEX MIX

1 (12 ounce) package crispy corn and rice cereal
5 ounces slivered almonds
6 ounces toasted, chopped pecans
3/4 cup butter
3/4 cup dark corn syrup
1 1/2 cups light brown sugar

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Lightly grease a large roasting pan.
In a large bowl, mix crispy corn and rice cereal, slivered almonds and toasted, chopped pecans.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and mix with dark corn syrup and light brown sugar. Pour the mixture over the crispy corn and rice cereal mixture. Stir and shake to coat all the nuts and cereal.
Pour the coated mixture into the prepared roasting pan. Stirring approximately every 15 minutes, cook 1 hour in the preheated oven. Cool on wax paper, and store in airtight containers.