What Would Martha Cook?

Too Busy to Be Unprepared

Snacks

Coconut, Berry and Walnut Granola

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6 oz. coconut
2 c. instant, plain oats
3 oz. Craisins
3 oz. dried blueberries (or blueberry Craisins)
1/2 c. chopped walnuts
1/2 c. brown sugar (or splenda version of brown sugar)
5 T. honey
1 stick butter

PhotobucketMelt 1/2 stick butter in deep-dish 10″ pie plate or casserole dish (8 1/2 x 11″) in a 350 degree F oven. In a large bowl, blend coconut, oats, craisins, blueberries, and walnuts.  Stir in honey 1 T. at a time.  Add brown sugar and mix thoroughly.

Pour into pan.  Bake for 20 minutes, then stir.  Bake 5 minutes, then stir.  Bake 5 minutes more.  Let cool completely and store in an airtight container.  (I think this is wonderful with Brown Cow Vanilla Yogurt (1/2 c of each mixed together) for breakfast!

Groceries
coconut
oats
craisins
dried blueberries
walnuts
brown sugar
honey
butter

Approximate Cost: $6.75

Mer’s Candied Pretzels

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2 bags pretzel sticks
1 bag white Wilton candy melts
1 bag red Wilton candy melts
1 shaker of sprinkles
1 sheet parchment
1 sandwich baggy
12 gift bags and 1 yd. ribbon

Melt white chips in a pyrex, 2 cup, measuring cup, according to directions (do not get it wet or it will ruin and do not overcook). Break all pretzels in half. Dip the broken end halfway up into the white, melted candy. Lay on parchment. Do this for all the pretzels. Sprinkle the sprinkles on liberally, while the candy coating is still not set (still melty).
Melt red chips according to directions in a sandwich-sized, zip lock bag. After melted (again do not get it wet or overcook), snip a very small piece from one corner of the bottom. Drizzle the red over the pretzels in strings. (You can use different colors for different occasions. These are for Valentine’s day).

Let set/ harden. Place six of the half-pretzels in each bag and tie with about 4 inches of ribbon. Makes 12 bags. From my friend Meredith, who has great, low cost ideas for meals and treats!

Groceries
pretzel sticks
white Wilton candy melts
red Wilton candy melts
sprinkles
parchment
zip lock bag
gift bags
ribbon

Approximate Cost: $12.00 ($1/ bag)

Killer Queso

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1 can cream of chicken soup
¾ c. evaporated milk
1 – 7 oz. can diced green chilies
2 T. minced jalapeños
1 – 4 oz. jar chopped pimientos, drained
1 t. ground cumin
1 – 1 oz. pkg. ranch dip mix
1 can Ro*tel tomatoes
1 lb. Velveeta, cut into cubes
¼ c. minced fresh cilantro
Minced fresh cilantro for garnish
Tortilla Chips for dipping

Combine soup, evaporated milk, green chilies, jalapenos, pimiento, cumin, dip mix, and Ro*tel in a medium saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently. When bubbly, add cheese and cilantro, and stir until cheese melts and mixture is combined. Be sure to keep the heat low, and stir constantly after adding the cheese to prevent scorching. Serve warm with tortilla, reheating as needed.

From Molly Fowler, The Dining Diva, in Menus for Entertaining

Grocery List
cream of chicken soup
evaporated milk
green chilies
jalapeños
pimiento
ground cumin
ranch dip packet
Ro*tel tomatoes
Velveeta
cilantro
tortilla chips

Approximate Cost: $7.89

Scotch-a-Roos

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1 c. sugar
1 c. peanut butter
1 c. light corn syrup
1 T. butter
6 c. crispy rice cereal
12 oz. chocolate chips
12 oz. butterscotch chips

Frosting: In a pyrex glass container, melt chips in microwave for 1 minute. Stir and melt for 30 seconds more.

In a large sauce pan, blend sugar, peanut butter and corn syrup. Heat over medium heat until the sugar melts, about one minute. Remove from heat and add 6 cups cereal, stirring completely and covering all cereal. Pour and press cereal into a buttered 9X13 inch baking dish. Frost.

Grocery List
sugar
peanut butter
light corn syrup
butter
crispy rice cereal
chocolate chips
butterscotch chips

Approximate Cost: $5.60

5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake

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4 T. flour
4 T. sugar
2 T. cocoa
1 egg
3 T. milk
3 T. oil
3 T. chocolate chips
1/4 t. vanilla extract
1 large, microwavable coffee mug

Place dry ingredients in mug, mix thoroughly. Add the egg and stir. Pour in milk and oil and blend well. Add chocolate chips and vanilla. Stir once more. Put mug in microwave and cook for 3 minutes on high. The cake will rise over the top, but don’t be alarmed! Allow to cool a little and tip out onto a plate if desired.

From Yolanda, who added, “This can serve two, if you want to feel slightly more virtuous. And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world? Because now we are all 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night!”

Grocery List
flour
sugar
cocoa
egg
milk
oil
chocolate chips
vanilla

Approximate Cost: $1.20