4th of July Party treats!

My daughter told me about this great snack mix she had made~~I thought it would be just another bunch of calories, but oh MY, it is good! Try this for your next party~~maybe for the 4th!

Almond Joy Cereal Mix

1 (13 oz) box Golden Grahams Cereal
1 (15 oz) box Rice Chex, minus 2 cups
4 cups sweetened flaked coconut (wide coconut from the health food store)
3 to 4 cups sliced almonds

In a large bowl, mix the cereals and coconut together. Make a hole in the top of the cereal mixture and pour the sliced almonds in. (Don't mix them in because they will all go to the bottom and then they won't be distributed throughout.)

Syrup Mixture:

1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) butter
2 cups light corn syrup (Karo)
2 cups granulated sugar

In a heavy pan, medium high heat, melt the butter, add the corn syrup and sugar.
Mix together; Bring to a boil , stirring constantly; Boil for 3 minutes while continuing to stir; Pour the syrup mixture over the cereal mixture and mix well;

Three tips: Do not store in an air tight container--it will become sticky; Loosely cover with wax paper or plastic wrap;

This makes a large batch; I usually halve the recipe;

I LOVE the wide coconut from the health food store; it tastes so much different, (translate--Better!) than the regular sweetened stuff. Really!! Try it!!

Pre-Garden Salsa

Doesn't this look good? It is! Melanie Walker gave permission to me to post this recipe. She states that this is the best combination of flavors that she has ever had in a salsa and that it tastes fresh even though it is not made with fresh tomatoes. So we can make this salsa when our gardens are not yet producing!

*Note: This salsa is unbelievably good with the addition of two diced avocados mixed in just before serving.
*Makes about 3 cups

One Minute Salsa
1/2 small red onion
1/2 cup fresh cilantro
1/4 cup drained jarred pickled jalapenos
2 Tablespoons lime juice
2 garlic cloves, peeled
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained

In the bowl of a food processor, pulse the onion, cilantro, jalapenos, lime juice, garlic and salt until coarsely chopped.
Add the drained tomatoes and pulse just until combined. Don't over process in this step if you want your salsa to remain chunky--just give it a few 1-second pulses. Place your salsa in a fine mesh strainer or sieve and drain briefly. Transfer to a bowl and serve. Enjoy!

It's Ice Cream Time!

Can you believe it? ~~just a few more days until the 4th of July! You know that you just have to have home made ice cream to celebrate properly! My friend gave this recipe to me after making it for our family. It is so good and sweet with just a bit of tang from the sour cream. Try this for one of your family parties this summer.


Raspberry Sour Cream Ice Cream

1 pound frozen raspberries, thawed and crushed
4 cups sugar
1 cup sour cream
5 teaspoons vanilla
6 beaten eggs
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
1 quart heavy whipping cream

Mix fruit, sugar, sour cream and vanilla together. Add well-beaten eggs, milk and cream.
Follow the procedure for your individual ice cream maker and enjoy this wonderful frozen treat!

Treasure Trove of Information!

Last week I visited our Yellowstone County Extension Service and had a WONDERFUL time! The information that they have available in handouts is (nearly) baffling. They are also willing to talk with you to answer any questions that you may have. Listed below are just a few of the printed informational sheets that I picked up.


Composting- eight pages that detail exactly how to compost, including making the "bin"
inexpensively.
Cold Frames- how to build and use them.
Growing flowers and planning an attractive flower bed
"Can I Grow that here?" charts the plants that will (and won't) thrive here
"Strawberries in the home garden"
"What's Wrong with this Tree?"
Freezing, drying, canning fruits, vegetables and meats

I really encourage each of you to use this valuable resource and implement the knowledge that you learn from these free handouts. It does not cost a cent to use this office--all of the handouts are free and well-written. The Extension Service is located in the Court House downtown Billings on the first floor.