Montessori Mom

Microwave Crunchy Party Mix

¼ Cup melted butter
2 teaspoons of either onion powder, garlic powder, for sweeter mix, use cinnamon and nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice.
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce- for the sweeter recipe use honey instead of Worcestershire sauce.
7 cups of square cereal, oarties, corn puffs, or any snack shaped cereal.
1 Cup of nuts, such as peanuts, for the sweet mix use 1 cup dried fruit, such as raisins.

Mix all the ingredients, except dried fruit, in a large zip type bag and shake until everything is well coated.

Put mixture in a microwave bowl and microwave on high for 4 to 6 minutes. Spread on paper towel and cool. If using dried fruit, add and store in an airtight container. Makes about 14 servings.

Simple and Fun Party Sandwiches

Aunt Margie’s Minced Bologna sandwich filling

As a kid I loved these eating these sandwiches on picnics on hot sultry summer days.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds unsliced or sliced Bologna or ham (I make this with vegetarian Bologna or ham)
6 medium sweet pickles or 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
1/4 cup salad dressing or mayonnaise

Directions:

Aunt Margie used an old fashioned meat grinder to grind the ham or Bologna but I use a food processor instead. Sometimes Aunt Margie would add 4 chilled hard boiled eggs to the grinder.

In a food processor place Bologna (or boneless ham) and sweet pickles (eggs if you so desire.) Blend to a spreadable consistency.

Transfer mixture to a medium bowl. Mix in mayonnaise (and pickle relish if you didn’t use sweet pickles) until the mixture is smooth. Spread on you sandwiches and refrigerate. Makes about 20 sandwiches

Pigs in a Blanket

Kids love these. These barely take anytime to make. You can use veggie hot dogs in this recipe.

1 container of refrigerator crescent rolls

1 package of cocktail hot dogs or regular hot dogs.

Take the triangle dough, wrap and cover the hot dog and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. If you are using cocktail hot dogs you may want to cut the triangle of dough in half.

Bake at 450 degrees for 8 to 12 minutes

Serve with ketchup and mustard for dipping.

Make your own Pizza Munchkins

4 English Muffins, split and toasted
½ cup spaghetti or pizza sauce
1 cup shredded cheese (soy cheese if any of the children have allergies), either mozzarella, cheddar, or Monterrey jack
Grated cheese
Various vegetables, such as halved cherry tomatoes, sliced zucchini, mushrooms, pineapple, broccoli, and even spinach, black or green olives and any other favorite topping.
Let the kids help themselves to the toppings and make their own special pizza. Microwave on high for 2 minutes. Eat and enjoy. This is great way to encourage your child to try new types of vegetables.