When You Have Snow Outside...Must Make Some For Inside

Winter is definitely here.  We have SO MUCH snow. I am actually getting sick of it. Today I thought I would try and make some yummy snowball treats for the boys after school snack....Popcorn balls.

Popcorn "SnowBalls"
adapted from: http://lifemadesimplebakes.com/2014/04/popcorn-snowballs/

1/4 margarine
1 (10oz) bag mini marshmallows

1/2 cup (unpopped popcorn - pop in an air popper (place in a large bowl)
1 cup M-Ms

In a large non-stick pan melt margarine. When it is almost fully melted stir in the marshmallows. Coat them with the melted margarine.  Continue stirring until just melted and smooth.  Pour over popcorn; stir to coat. Toss in the M-Ms. Stir. With buttered/greased hands, form popcorn mixture into 15 balls. Place on parchment paper to completely cool. Enjoy!

Goody Snack...Too Addictive

A friend recently convinced me that snowshoeing is fun. Boy was she right! We have done it a couple times this winter...I love it. I still have not bought my own pair but luckily our local sporting good store rents them for dirt cheap ($10). I have brought this yummy snack mix each and every time....mmm. In parentheses are the brands I use for gluten free substitution.

Scrumptious Snowshoe Snack

adapted from: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/nacho-snack-mix

8oz pretzel twists (great value)

8oz pretzel sticks (great value)

8oz Cheez it crackers (vans brand)

8oz Cheetos/popped corn (pirate booty)

1/3 cup butter, melted

1/3 cup canola oil

1/2 pkg dry ranch dressing mix

1/2 pkg dry taco seasoning mix

In a large bowl combine pretzels, crackers and Cheetos  In a measuring cup combine oil and butter; stir. Drizzle over pretzels and crackers. Toss.  Sprinkle with seasonings. Toss again.  Bake on two parchment lined cookie sheets at 250 for about 70 minutes; stirring every 20 or so. During the last 20 minutes stir in the Cheetos/popped corn  Cool completely.  Keep in an airtight container or bag. NOTE: once I start munching it is very hard to stop....slightly addictive.

Sweet...Extra Sweet Memories

Growing up Mom would make popcorn balls in the fall (usually around my Dad or brother's birthdays).  We gobbled them up like they were going out of style.  I found recipe that is good - but super sweet.  BAP and SSP enjoyed them a lot; I am sure it was the sugar content.

Popcorn Balls
adapted from: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/candy-corn-popcorn-balls-10000001010471/

8 cups popped corn (1 bag of microwaveable Kettle corn works well)
1 cup candy corn
1/4 cup butter
1/4 t salt
1(10oz) bag marshmallows
cooking spray

Line a cookie sheet with parchment.  Dump popped corn and candy corn in a bowl.  Melt butter and marshmallows together; stir in salt.  Grease fingers and hands.  Toss together marshmallow mixture with popped corn and candy corn.  Form into 13 balls.  Store in an air tight container.

Let's Pop

I like how popcorn "pops" up and down.  Our Faith should be alive and thriving (with showing/demonstrating our love for God).  The 'old maids' are when we don't live out our Faith and just let it be and be dead. Popcorn is such a fun and delicious snack.  It is one of the only things that my boys LOVE butter on - if you give them anything with butter on it, they sneer.  However popcorn is a different story.  Our popcorn popper broke the other day (actually I misplaced the knob that screws down the stir stick as well as the crack on the side). When watching a movie my dear husband and I love some delicious extra buttery popcorn.  Here is an easy and delicious easy alternative to microwave popcorn or the stuff made in the popper.

Popcorn (On The Stove Top)
adapted from: http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/perfect_popcorn/

3 T oil
1/2 cup corn kernels (I use the raw kernels you get at Costco)
1 (5qt) Enamel lined cast iron Dutch Oven
butter, salted

Heat Dutch Oven with oil and 3-4 kernels on medium heat (covering pot).  Listen for pops. Add remaining popcorn kernels; cover. Remove from heat for 30 seconds. Return to heat. Shake pot occasionally. Popping will get loud and vigorous. Listen for popping to slow down. Dump contents in bowl.  Toss with melted butter and salt.  Enjoy with your next movie or snack time.

Simple & Easy Snack

We love love popcorn around here. We cannot have it in enough. It is a great go-to snack. A few years back a friend from Alaska gave me a recipe for homemade microwave popcorn. I love being able to adjust the taste with an amount of butter and other toppings that I want. My recent love topping is grated cheddar cheese. Too addicting.

Microwave Popcorn

1/3 - 1/2 cup popcorn kernels a small-ish brown paper bag (like the ones lunches could get packed in)

Fold down the bag twice. Place 2 staples in (make sure they are a few inches apart). Microwave for 2-3 minutes until popping slows down. Drizzle with butter and desired toppings. Voila!