The Big Decision

I'm back after a sort of "blah" week.  I don't know what my problem was, but I wasn't in the mood to do very much.  I did do some things, though.  I made 9 9" blocks to exchange with my bee members at Christmas, and I've been working away on my blue and white star blocks for our king-sized bed quilt.  We could really use that quilt--it is getting cold here.  The other big project on my plate, that I was procrastinating a bit, I will share on Wednesday.

The big focus today is on the big decision for tomorrow.  Yes, I need to decided what food I am taking to the polls tomorrow!  Do you remember that I am working there all day?  We learned at training that the food can be a bit of a big deal, as well.  The President of the Board of Elections said that as they are travelling around to all the precincts to check on everyone, they will also be sampling the food.  Wow!  The desire for good food plus the whiff of competition gets me in overdrive.  But did you think I was going to talk about the voting?  Since I'm working in a different precinct, I voted absentee a couple weeks ago.  Do you want to know my decision?  After much deliberation and research, and careful consideration, I decided on pumpkin apple streusel mufffins, broccoli soup, and a spicy/sweet snack mix!  No--I have been careful to not discuss politics on this blog and I'm not about to start now!  I know that several bloggers that I follow have made mention of issues, etc. but I find it a bit off-putting--just because I am longing for a "safe place" where all of that can be avoided. 

I thought I would share the recipe for the snack mix I am going to take.  I made it last night, and I love making it in the fall when the fall M&Ms are available, because they match the rest of it so well.

Trust a quilter to like to make color coordinating food!

This is sort of like a caramel corn with other goodies, but the caramel has a bit of heat to it that makes for a more complex and interesting taste.

Fritos Snackmix

4 cups tortilla chips, broken into bite sized pieces, or Fritos.  I use some of both for the different textures.

3 cups Crispex cereal, or Rice and/or Corn Chex

1 bag microwave popcorn, popped (8-9 cups)  I pop my own corn so to avoid all the salt and that taste that all microwave popcorn has

1  can nuts.  I usually use the good kind with no peanuts.  I used none this time because there is a nut allergy among the rest of the poll workers

Mix all of that together in a large container.  I do everything in a large roaster so I can also do the baking in the same container.

In a small saucepan combine:
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 T chili powder
1/8 t ground cinnamon
1/8-1/4 t ground red pepper, optional.  (I don't use this)

Bring to a boil and then pour over the dry ingredients.  Stir and toss to coat.  Once it is all mixed, Bake at 250 degrees for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes, until it is a bit darker in color.  Remove from the pan and pour out onto waxed paper to cool.  I like to separate it so that it doesn't clump up.  Add M&Ms if desired (I do--I use a large bag for each batch) and then store in an airtight container up to two weeks.  This makes for a good snack mix that is "sweet with a bit of heat."  It is fairly "dry" and not sticky, too.

I will be making the rest of the food today.  It will be a long, early day tomorrow.  I report at 4:45 AM!   I also am going to reread the training manual today so that I don't have to slow down the crowds tomorrow by not knowing what to do!

Have a great day and I'll "see" you again on Wednesday!
JoAnne