Texas Trash

Have I got a week of food ready for you.  It's a week's worth of tailgate and football food with some delicious items that will double as football snacks or full on meals perfect for eating while watching the game.  And I'm starting off with a simple party mix with an awesome name that will completely kick the booty of whatever snack mix you've been enjoying up until now.  Smoky flavor with a spicy kick, this Texas Trash snack mix is delicious and hearty with tons of different textures and delicious goodies.  Pretzels, nuts, cereal and corn chips all serve as the delivery mechanism for a lovely mix of seasonings and spices, perfect for munching while drinking a beer and watching the game.  Although it's pretty tasty for movie night, too.

Meagan over at Scarletta Bakes is a lovely cook who makes beautiful food, tells an excellent and funny story and uses amazing southwest flavors in her dishes.  She's a treat to read and I was thrilled to see her deliver this amazing snack that can be customized and adapted based on what you have on hand.  And?  It makes a TON.  I'm not joking.  While I didn't measure exactly, I figured I had about 45 cups of this tasty mix.  Which is exactly why I shared it with a bunch of friends, including my September Foodie Pen Pal!

You know I love Foodie Pen Pals, a concept thought up by Lindsay over at the Lean Green Bean.  Go visit her blog to learn how to join--bloggers and non-bloggers are welcome!  Each month you'll have a chance to send a box full of goodies to on foodie while receiving a box from another foodie.  It's a great way to try new things and meet new people.  This month I had the opportunity to send treats, including this Texas Trash, to Tara from A Daily Dose of Fit, which is funny because I received my very first Foodie Pen Pal box from Tara back in May.  Go visit Tara's blog to learn more about her (and again, sorry the salsa exploded during shipping!)  This month I received an awesome box of treats from Dena at 40 Fit in the Mitt.  Dena's a sweetheart who has two rescued pups, focuses on fun and healthy living and sent me fabulous treats.  Dena sent me a jar of Jif Chocolate Hazelnut spread (um, yeah it's as good as Nutella), two packages of Smartfood Selects granola covered popcorn (the one piece of the blueberry flavor Dave let me had was mighty tasty), a sampling of chocolate sprinkles and toppings, a berry blend variety of edamame snack mix, flax sprinkles which will make a great addition to my yogurt in the morning, and a box of Kashi Peanutty Dark Chocolate bars.  And how cute is Dena to make sure I clipped my coupon so I can buy more of these tasty bars!  Thanks Dena for an awesome box.

 

Getting back to the Trash, this is one snack you'll love to make. It serves a huge crowd or would be perfect for doling out as gifts or treat bags.  I used two big roasting pans, but use however many big pans you have so you can easily stir the mix while it bakes.  Since I just used two pans and my trusty kitchen scale, I was able to evenly divide my ingredients and make two batches, which ensured even distribution of crunchy goodies and seasoning.  Otherwise, you'll need a REALLY BIG bowl to mix it all up and then divide among your pans.  Customize the mix as much as you like.  Meagan used Captain Crunch, regular Cheerios and pecans.  I subbed in Corn and Rice Chex, Multigrain Cheerios and a combo of almonds and peanuts.  Whatever combination you use, make this, enjoy it, and find a bunch of people to eat it with you.

Texas Trash

Ingredients

14 ounces Multigrain Cheerios
14 ounces Corn Chex
12.8 ounces Rice Chex
9.25 ounces corn chips, like Fritos
16 ounces pretzel sticks
16 ounces dry roasted peanuts
16 ounces roasted almonds with sea salt
3 cups butter
10 ounces Worcestershire sauce
4 Tablespoons ground celery seed
4 Tablespoons garlic powder
3 Tablespoons ground cumin
2 Tablespoons cayenne pepper
2 Tablespoons liquid smoke (hickory flavor, or preferred flavor)
2 teaspoons hot sauce

Evenly divide Cheerios, both Chex, corn chips, pretzels, peanuts and almonds evenly between two big roasting pans or sheet pans.  Depth isn't as important as being able to contain and stir the ingredients.  Set aside.

Melt butter in a medium saucepan and mix in Worcestershire sauce, celery seed garlic powder, cumin, cayenne, liquid smoke and hot sauce.  When butter is completely melted, stir to combine and scrape any seasoning off the bottom of the pan.

Pour evenly over dry ingredients and immediately toss using a large spoon or spatula, evenly coating all the ingredients.  (Note: Since I used two large roasting pans, I divided the butter/seasoning ingredients in half and prepared two separate pans, one for each roasting pan.)

Bake coated snack mix at 200 degrees F for 1 hour and 30 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.  Mixture should be completely dry when you remove it; if it's not, continue to bake and stir.

 Remove from oven and cool completely.

Store in several 3/4 full sealed containers or zip-top bags.  Shake the bags to distribute seasoning.

Makes about 45 cups.

Happy Baking,
The Cookie Princess

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