The regular school year is over now, so lots of families have youngsters home all day. And, as most mothers know, children always seem to be hungry for snacks. The following two recipes will satisfy most kids’ cravings.
Children aren’t the only ones who enjoy tasty treats. Lots of grownups have extra work in the summer, taking care of their gardens extra work outside in their gardens and lawn. So these easy-to-make snacks will please both kids and adult alike.
SWEET AND SALTY PRETZEL BARS
1 cup sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup peanut butter
5 cups crispy rice cereal
2 cups broken pretzel sticks
1 cup plain M&M’s
In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the sugar and corn syrup. Microwave on high for 2 minutes or until sugar is dissolved. Stir in peanut butter until blended.
Add the cereal, pretzels and M&M’s; stir until coated.
Press into a greased 15-by-10-by-1-inch pan. Let cool and cut into desired size bars.
STRING CHEESE STICKS
2 1/4 cups biscuit mix (like Bisquick)
2/3 cup milk
1 package (8 ounces) smoked or regular string cheese
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon garlic/parsley salt
Grated Parmesan cheese
1 can or jar (8 ounces) pizza sauce, heated for dipping
Heat oven to 450 degrees. Stir biscuit mix and milk until soft dough forms; beat 30 seconds. Place dough on surface sprinkled with biscuit mix; gently roll in mix to coat. Shape into a ball; knead 10 times.
Roll dough 1/4 inch thick. Cut into eight 6-by-2-inch rectangles. Roll each rectangle around 1 piece of cheese. Pinch edge into roll to seal; seal ends. Roll on surface to completely enclose cheese sticks. Place seam sides down on ungreased cookie sheet.
Melt 2 tablespoons of butter and add the garlic/parsley salt. Brush half the mixture on each cheese stick and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese before baking.
Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown. Brush remaining melted butter-garlic/parsley salt mixture over cheese sticks before removing from pan.
Serve warm with pizza sauce for dipping. Makes 8 sticks.
Brotherton offers website readers one stellar recipe a week in the “My Leader Yummy” feature.
Looking for a recipe you can’t find? Email me at kbrotherton42@gmail.com and I’ll see if I have it.
