Betty's 1952 Original Chex Party Mix Recipe

In this video, Betty demonstrates how to make the Original Chex Party Mix, a recipe that first appeared in the June 16, 1952 issue of Life magazine. Chex cereal was introduced in 1937 by the Ralston Purina Company, and the Original Chex Party Mix was used to promote it 15 years later. This has been a favorite snack over the years, even though the recipe has evolved through the decades, with at least 40 current versions available from General Mills, the maker of Chex cereal. I thought you might be interested in how it all began, by looking at the *first* recipe for Chex Party Mix! Ingredients: 1/3 cup butter 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 2 cups Wheat Chex 2 cups Rice Chex ½ cup nuts ¼ teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon garlic salt Melt 1/3 cup butter in a shallow baking pan. Stir in 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce. Add 2 cups Wheat Chex, 2 cups Rice Chex, and ½ cup nuts. (I used peanuts.) Sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon garlic salt. Heat for 30 minutes in a 350 degree oven, stirring every 10 minutes. (Note: After baking for the first 10 minutes, I lowered the heat to 250 degrees, and after the second 10 minutes, I removed the Party Mix from the oven. The Chex Mix would have been over-brown, if I had left it the full 30 minutes at 350 degrees. I suggest you bake this mix at only 250 degrees for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.) Cool. (Note: I stored my Chex Party Mix in an airtight container after it was cool.) This is an interesting look back at a very ...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVHI1tBx0CA&hl=en

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Skin Friendly Oatmeal Soap Recipe

Oatmeal is a delicious breakfast cereal taken with milk and/or fruits. It has been in the limelight due to its valuable health benefits and recently, as a recognized natural ingredient, it has also been found out to have beneficial effects on the skin. A good oatmeal soap recipe that can help protect and nourish the skin and can be used to remove dead skin is available here for you to try. 

Ingredients: 

1 bar of mild soap (a large Dove bar soap is recommended)
3 to 4 tablespoon oatmeal
4 to 5 tablespoon water

 Procedure:

Finely grind the oatmeal in a blender or miller. It should be finely ground but not too powdery.
Using a cheese grater, grate the bar of mild soap in a microwavable bowl.
Add the 4 to 5 tablespoons of water to the grated mild soap.
Put the soap and water mixture in a microwave for 2 to 3 minutes on high temperature. The mixture will tend to rise due to the heat. Do not let it bubble over. When the mixture rises, stir the mixture before it bubbles over. 
If the soap has dissolved, take out the bowl of mixture from the microwave.
Gradually add in 3 to 4 tablespoons of the finely ground oatmeal, mixing well after each addition. Add and mix the oatmeal until the consistency of the mixture and the proportion of the oatmeal to the soap are to your liking.
Pour the mixture into your molds. Suggested molds for oatmeal soap are muffin pans, small bowls or 1 inch height round tin cans (you can use taller ones but you will have to remove both ends and slice the soap into round bars once it is cooled).
When the oatmeal soap mixture has slightly solidified but still warm, remove it from the mold and let it stand to cool thoroughly.
When the oatmeal soaps have completely cooled, wrap or package as desired.

Oatmeal soap is a good exfoliant and can be used to relieve itchiness due to insect bites and dry skin. Aside from its beneficial effects on the skin, you can also add lavender or eucalyptus oil for aromatherapy use. You can also add a little goat's milk to your soap mixture that will make your skin soft and silky or add a drop of vanilla or cinnamon for a sweet fragrance. Adding cocoa butter will make your oatmeal soap a great skin softener with a natural chocolate aroma.  

Here is another product you can match with your soap. To a 4-ounce bottle of unscented body lotion, just add around ¼ cup of finely ground oatmeal. Mix or shake well to make your matching oatmeal lotion. You can pack your oatmeal soap and lotion with a loofa sponge together to give as a nice gift or to sell.  

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Easy Crispy No Bake Nutella Cookies Recipe

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Are you a chocolate lover? Have you had chocolate no bake cookies made with Nutella?

You are in for a treat. No Bake Nutella Chocolate Cookies are hard to beat. They are quick, easy, and delicious. And the best part? You don't even have to turn on the oven to enjoy them!

Chocolate No Bake Nutella Cookies are different from regular baked chocolate cookies. They taste like a combination of cookie and candy and can be addictive, so be forewarned!

Have you experienced Nutella - the delicious chocolate hazelnut spread? It's much more popular in Europe than in the US, but if you are a fan of chocolate, you are going to want to seek it out. You can find it in most well stocked markets near the peanut butter.

Crispy No Bake Nutella Cookies Recipe

Ingredients

3 cups crispy rice cereal (such as Special K or Rice Krispies)
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup chocolate-hazelnut spread (such as Nutella)
1/2 cup hazelnuts, toasted and chopped

Directions

Clear a space on your counter and line it with waxed paper or 1 or 2 silicone mats. This is where you will drop your crispy no bake Nutella cookies to set up.

Place the cereal in a medium-sized mixing bowl and set it aside.

In a small saucepan set over low heat or in a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl placed in the microwave and heated on full power for 20 to 30 second increments, melt the chocolate and hazelnut spread.  Stir until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

Pour the melted chocolate mixture into the cereal and stir until the cereal is well coated with chocolate.

Drop mixture by tablespoonfuls onto the waxed paper/silicone mats.  Flatten each mound into rounds with the back of a wet wooden spoon.  Sprinkle the tops of each cookie with hazelnuts, pressing them down gently so they adhere to the cookies. Cool until set.

Makes about 2 dozen Crispy No Bake Nutella Cookies.

Variations

For an even easier cookie, Instead of sprinkling the hazelnuts on top, stir them in with the cereal.
For Rocky Road Nutella Cookies, after you stir in the cereal, let the mixture cool a bit and then stir 1 cup of mini marshmallows into the mixture before dropping onto the waxed paper/silicone mats.

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Great Granola Bars and Cereal From One Basic Recipe

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Wild Honey, Pumpkin Seed and Chocolate Chunk Granola:
Granola can serve as a breakfast, a dessert, a snack and an energy food. It is a nutritious, energy-rich food that will fit into any healthy diet.

I recently learned of the health benefits of dark chocolate and by incorporating it into a great granola recipe, I became a fan. I've bought the bars, squares and the chips. Of those, the chips are the most convenient. Semi-sweet chocolate morsels contain less fat and sugar than some other chocolate products and still satisfy my cravings; After all, dark chocolate is a new health food. No kidding, look it up!

1/3 c. safflower oil
1 c. wild, raw honey
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
5-6 c. old-fashioned rolled oats (not instant)
1 c. wheat germ
2 c. unsalted pumpkin seeds
1/2 c. walnuts or cashews
1/2 c. brown sugar (optional)
1 c. semi-sweet chocolate morsels
2 c. golden raisins or other dried fruits

Preheat oven to 300º F and line two, 12"x18" rimmed cookie sheets with parchment paper, and then spray with non-stick cooking oil.

Mix together dry ingredients: oats, wheat germ, pumpkin seeds, nuts and brown sugar.

In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the honey (you can use virtually any honey in this recipe), safflower oil and salt. Here's a trick: If you lightly oil the measuring cup you use for the honey, it will come out easily.

Stir until warm and well blended. Honey mixture should be warm enough to pour freely. Add vanilla and stir again. Pour warm honey mixture over oat mixture and stir until well coated.

Spread the mixture on the prepared baking sheets and bake, stirring at 15 minute intervals until toasted and deep golden in color, about 35 minutes. Watch closely to prevent burning. Granola will not seem crispy until it cools completely.

Hearty Granola Bars

This is an adaptation of the preceding granola using all the same ingredients in the same proportions. Only the method is different. You won't be baking anything other than the rolled oats and possibly the coconut, if you are using it. Toasting the coconut is optional (it's done the same way as the oats and baked for about 10 minutes), but toasting the oats is essential.

Preheat oven to 325 F. Spray a large baking sheet (preferably one with 1-inch sides for easier stirring) with cooking oil. Spread rolled oats evenly across the bottom of baking sheet and give the oats a light spray with cooking oil. Bake until lightly toasted to a golden color, stirring once or twice. This will take approximately 30 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside to cool. Turn the oven off; you're done with it.

Combine the oats, wheat germ, pumpkin seeds and other nuts, brown sugar, and coconut. Any other dry additions, like dried fruit, popcorn or raisins, should be added now. (Reserve the chocolate morsels to be used as an optional topping later.)

Line a 9"x13" baking pan with lightly oiled parchment paper that extends up and over the sides. The overlapping material will be your "handles" to lift the bars out of the pan later. You can also use waxed paper or plastic wrap.

In a medium saucepan, combine the safflower oil, honey and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, to the soft-ball stage (forms a soft ball when drizzled into cold water). This will take approximately 2-3 minutes.

The degree to which this mixture cooks will determine the degree of crunchiness or softness in your bars. Feel free to experiment. This recipe reflects my preference for a medium "chew" and firmness in the bars.

Immediately pour the hot honey mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring until well distributed. While warm (not hot), press granola mixture firmly into the baking pan, using the overlapping parchment paper to protect your hands and help compress mixture. At this point, you can sprinkle the chocolate morsels over the top (optional) and in a few minutes they will melt, forming a nice chocolate topping that will harden as the bars cool. Let sit for about 10 minutes.

Using the overlapping parchment paper as handles, lift the pressed honey and oat mixture out of the pan and onto a cutting surface. Before it cools completely, cut into bars or squares using a heavy knife. This recipe makes about 24 bars, 130 calories each.

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Chocolate Homemade Candy Recipe - A Beautiful Presentation

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I make this chocolate homemade candy at the holidays and get new compliments every year. It is so delicious and is made by melting white and dark chocolate together. It is also beautiful and can be presented 2 different ways. The red and green m&m's, coconut and white chocolate drizzle set it apart from any treat you'll make this holiday season.

Chocolate Homemade Candy

1 package semi sweet chocolate chips (12 ounces)
2 packages white chocolate morsels (11 ounces each)
1 cup marshmallows
1 cup pecans
1 cup rice crispy cereal
1 small package coconut
1 lb. package peanut m&m's (red & green)
1 - 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
one metal pizza pan

Note: Substitute different color m&m's to fit the holiday of your choice.

Reserve about 5 ounces of the white chocolate morsels (the remainder of the morsels will be mixed with the semi sweet chips). In the microwave oven (in a large glass bowl), melt the semi sweet morsels with all the white morsels (except the 5 ounces set aside) until smooth. Stop microwave every 30 seconds and stir; repeat until all the morsels are melted (being careful not to burn the chocolate). Let the mixture cool down somewhat and add to the mixture; 1 cup marshmallows, 1 cup nuts, 1 cup rice crispy cereal (mix well).

Spread this chocolate homemade mixture into a metal pizza pan; flatten mix out to extend to all sides of the pan. Place red and green m&m's on top of chocolate mixture in a decorative pattern (you will not need the entire 1 lb. package). Sprinkle coconut on top of chocolate mixture last.

Take the 5 ounces of reserved white chocolate morsels; melt them in the microwave (stirring every 30 seconds); add 1 to 2 teaspoons vegetable oil to this chocolate mix; melt together and stir thoroughly. Drizzle this mixture over the chocolate homemade candy.

Cool in refrigerator until completely set (at least 2 hours). Cut into squares or for a more elegant presentation, cut into slim pizza sized slices.

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Yummy Lentil Soup Recipe

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This lentil soup recipe is a great cold weather treat. It can be served as is - vegetables only - or you can add some white rice or short pasta to make it an even heartier Italian soup recipe. Your choice!

Serves 6-8

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium white onion, chopped
1 large carrot, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 pound lentils of your choice (I use the brown kind), rinsed and sorted
2 plum tomatoes, chopped
2 medium white potatoes, peeled and chopped
2 quarts water plus two bullion cubes (or chicken or vegetable broth)
2 sprigs fresh parsley, chopped
2 tsp salt

In a large pot, heat the olive oil. Add the chopped onion, carrot, celery and garlic and let cook until all these veggies begin to tenderize a bit, approximately 6 minutes.

Add the water or broth. Throw in the rest of the ingredients, minus the bullion cubes and salt. Bring them all to a boil over high heat, then add the seasonings. (Remember don't add the bullion cubes if you are using stock!) Turn the heat down to low, stir the soup, and let simmer until the lentils are tender...about 35-40 minutes.

If you like, you can add some rice or pasta about 10 minutes before the soup is done cooking. If you do this you may need to add an additional cup to two cups of water. Otherwise, remove the soup from the stove, serve with crusty Italian bread and enjoy!

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Finding the Perfect Rice Crispy Treats Recipe

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Rice crispy treats recipe ignites thousands of wonderful memories in me. It's a recipe that can sweeten dreams, throw tastebuds into a tizzy and send your imagination soaring. And this kind of uninhibited frenzy is just not restricted to kids alone. Grown-ups too have an inscrutable affinity for this all time-favorite dessert.

Stir Up Some Passion

The candy corn recipe is the perfect way to bring together some sinful ingredients- candies, marshmallows and crispy rice cereal. Here's what the recipe requires:

½ cup butter

10 cups crispy rice cereal

9 cups miniature marshmallows

2 cups candy corn

A few drops of yellow and red food colors

Set the ball rolling by bringing together the rice cereal and candy corn in a large bowl. Keep the mixture aside. In another large bowl, melt butter and marshmallows over low heat, until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

Remove from the heat and add a dash of red and yellow colors. Mix the cereal and the melted marshmallows, stirring as fast as you can. Spread this mixture on a large, greased baking pan. Press down with buttered hands or a spatula. Allow it to cool. Thereafter, cut into squares and watch them do the quintessential disappearing act.

Just in case you are woefully starved of ideas for Halloween snacks, use this delightful recipe with minor variations. Replace the baking pan with a Jack 'O' Lantern styled pan, and watch the animated reactions that follow.

Fun With Flavors

Add a modicum of your favorite flavors and this dessert makes the stunning transformation from boring to brilliant. Here's how:

40 large marshmallows

½ cup butter or margarine

4 cups rice crispy cereal

A sprinkle of vanilla and almond extracts

Bring together marshmallows and butter in a large microwave safe bowl. Microwave for about 10 minutes, stirring at regular intervals. When melted, add in the extracts. Mix the cereal and transfer to a greased pan. Once cool, it'll be high treason not to succumb to their delightful flavors.

Homemade raspberry marshmallows, crispy chocolate cereal or peanut butter - there's no dearth of inspiration when it comes to creating the most delectable of all creations. It's only your insular thinking that can come in your way.

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