Cooking treats for today..........................

I didn't get a whole lot done but decided to make more treats for Tristen. He is very bad with his eating habits so I wanted to make some things I knew he would eat. I made the peanut butter treats the other day and they have almost gone already. Not that its Tristen eating them because I do ration them. Gerry is the one who won't stay out of them.
Today I made some granola bars.

I asked Tristen if he liked them.

These are a little more healthy than the peanut butter ones. I used oatmeal (instant) and Special K. To that I threw in golden raisins (sultana's)and walnuts, mini chocolate chips and held together with honey and brown sugar and butter melted. It's very easy to do. Better than the Karo syrup I used for the peanut butter ones.
Recipe4 cups of quick cook oats (instant)
2 cups of crispy rice (or special K) cereal
1 stick of butter
1/2 cup of honey
2/3 cup of brown sugar
1/3 cup of choc chips.
To that basic recipe you can add anything you want. I like nuts and dried fruits for Tristen but mini choc chips or even marshmallows would be good. I am trying to get away from the sweets though. Still, in order to get him to eat the fruit and nuts we need a little enticement.
Put the dry ingredients in a large bowl and in a sausepan melt the butter, sugar and honey let it bubble and boil 2 mins but keep stiring. When its done pour over cereal and stir to cover it all. Then turn it out onto the baking sheet that has foil or wax paper, spray it with Pam so that its easy release

While the mix is hot sprinkle with chocolate chips and spread. When cool, cut into squares.
NEXT
Then for our snacks I made the Oyster crackers. They are so good with soup or just as a snack with cheese.

Recipe 1/4 cup of Canola or vegetable oil.
1 pkg of Dry ranch dressing (3 tablespoons)
1 teaspoon of dry dill weed
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
salt to taste
one bag of oyster crackers Mix all of those ingredients in a large bowl. Mix in the crackers and cover them completely before turning onto a baking sheet. Bake 10 mins at 250


Next I made the Fire crackers we all love.

Before when I have made them I didn't bake them. I had them in a large bowl with a lid and turned them for several days. Well by toasting them like the Oyster crackers it makes it quicker. They are ready to eat right away.
Recipe Two sleeves of Saltines.
1 package of dry ranch dressing (3 tablespoons)
1/2 cup of vegetable oil
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
1 teaspoon of onion powder
1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
1 - 2 tablespoons of red pepper flakes
2 dried teaspoons of parsley.
Mix everything together in a large bowl then put the crackers in and coat with the mix. Turn onto a baking sheet and toast for 10mins. Just till dried. 250 degrees. These are so good with cheese or chilli.
Tomorrow I am hoping to make bread and some of the bread sticks Tristen likes. Beats sitting around and is productive. I should get some sewing done but I don't want to waste the baking stuff I have so I want to use up as much as possible. It can always go in the freezer.