Livin' Life & Lovin' It!

Snacks

Chocolate Popcorn

This is an easy recipe for Chocolate Popcorn Balls.  Give this recipe a try.  It is sure to please the chocolate lovers in your life.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/2 stick butter
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 8 cups popcorn

Directions

  • Over medium heat, using a 4 quart pot, combine the sugar, corn syrup, butter, cocoa, and salt and bring to a boil.
  • Once the mixture is well mixed, add the popped corn.
  • Cook and stir until popcorn is coated, approximately 2 minutes.
  • Cool mixture and shape into 3-inch balls.

Grilled Potato Skins

Potato Skins are a traditional Super Bowl food.  Here is a recipe for Grilled Potato Skins to add to your party menu.

 

 

 

 

 

Ingredients

  • 4 russet potatoes
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 scallions, chopped
  • 2 slices bacon, cooked and drained

Directions

  • Boil your potatoes until just cooked – you're grilling these so you want them to be soft enough to prep, but stiff enough to hold up to some more cooking.
  • Once ready, slice your potatoes in half, then scoop out the fillings of each slice until you're left with a thin layer of potato on top of the skin.
  • Put the potato you've scooped out to the side and brush the skins with a bit of olive oil.
  • Place them on a hot grill, face down first. Cook for about a minute, then turn skin side down and fill with your mozzarella and bacon bits evenly. Cook until the cheese has melted and the bottoms have grill marks.
  • Remove from the grill, top with scallions garnish and enjoy with sour cream!

Honey Granola

Honey Granola is a tasty breakfast treat that can easily be made at home.  Granola is often sold in supermarkets in bins but I can't help but wonder how fresh it is sitting in these open bins.  I am hesitant to buy granola from the market because of this.  Making granola at home is easy and I like the idea of knowing that the ingredients I put in it are healthy and fresh.  

This Christmas, for some of my gifts, I am looking for gift ideas that are consumable. Honey Granola packaged in clear bags and tied with a pretty ribbon is a great gift to give at as a grab bag gift or to have on hand for the unexpected guest. 

 

 

 

Ingredients

  • 6 cups Old-Fashioned Oats (5 minute variety)
  • 8 ounces Sliced Almonds
  • 1 cup Dried Cranberries
  • 1 cup Chopped Dried Apricots
  • 1 cup Dark-Brown Sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon 
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 1/2 sticks Butter
  • 1/2 cup Honey

 

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 
  • In a large bowl, toss together all ingredients except butter and honey.
  • In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt unsalted butter. Stir in honey. 
  • Pour over oat mixture and toss to distribute. 
  • Spread granola onto a parchment lined baking pan and bake, stirring occasionally, until oats are toasted and sugar begins to caramelize (35 to 40 minutes). 
  • Cool completely on pan. Transfer to an airtight container.