Lime in Da Coconut

Thank you all for visiting and commenting on my first official post-mostly due to a little shout out from Katamommy over at Just Add Glitter and Stir~thanks, Maggi! I'm still learning blogging etitique and how to get around, so please bear with me. Nonetheless, your comments were very encouraging so here we go again. After success with the cherry-banana mix, I wanted to come up with something using lime and coconut. I'm still working with this one a little, but my sweet son-in-law said the last recipe was perfect - he's my favorite food critic because usually whatever I make is, to him, "the best ever!" He really knows how to butter up "Nana" so the treats keep coming! The recipe is a little more involved but the flavor is great!!

I also tried a new cookie recipe this week from the Taste of Home, "Flu-Fighter" cookies and I'll share that one a little later. Thanks again for stopping by! Happy Holidays!!


LIME IN DA COCONUT

9 cups Chex Cereal (corn/rice/wheat or mixture) (9 cups is the whole box)
1 cup Frosted Cheerios
1 package dried banana chips
1 bag dried pineapple (the small square pieces are best, if only the large pieces are available, chop into smaller chunks)
1 cup whole cashews or other nuts, optional
1 cup shaved coconut pieces - the larger "shaved" pieces are better; usually found in fresh produce markets. If you can't find the shaved pieces, use a can of shredded coconut, found in grocery stores.
2 fresh limes
3/4 cup coconut milk (A 5.6 oz can is exactly 3/4 cup - I have found these small cans in Asian markets - grocery stores usually carry the larger size cans where the evaporated milk/baking supplies are kept. Keep opened milk in fridge and use up quickly.)
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
6 TBLS (Tablespoons) butter or margarine, cubed
3 TBLS corn syrup
1 large box lime Jello

Large size roasting bag

Zest the peel from the two limes, juice both, collecting all the soft, green pulp you can (careful of the tiny seeds) and set aside. Measure out and combine cereals (nuts) in a large microwave safe bowl and set aside.

In a microwave safe measuring cup or bowl, add brown sugar, corn syrup and butter. Microwave 1 minute until butter is melted and ingredients mix together well. Add lime juice/zest/pulp and coconut milk. Stir well and return to microwave for 30 seconds intervals until mixture is hot and well combined.

Pour approximately one-half cup of the syrup mixture over cereal and fold gently to cover cereal. Return to microwave for 1 minute. Fold gently to mix. Add coconut, bananas and pineapple to cereal; fold in gently. Return to microwave for 1 minute, fold gently and microwave 1 additional minute. Mix gently and set aside to cool briefly.

Pour half of the jello into the roasting bag, and working quickly, add the cereal and fruit mix. Pour remaining jello on top, twist bag shut and shake, shake, shake to coat. Spread mixture on wax paper to cool. This mix is a little more chewy than crunchy.

Enjoy! And please remember, I appreciate any feed back!

Tis the Season....Cherry Banana Crunch

I have always loved the holiday season - Thanksgiving and Christmas....besides the obvious reasons, mostly because of the baking and cooking that goes along with it. All the years my kids were growing up, November and December meals consisted of sausage balls, Chex mix, and double-dipped bon-bons. Sweet Bread was always a favorite for giving away, and I loved experimenting with new flavors. As mentioned, Chex Mix was a staple, and nobody loves the new direction Chex cereals have taken than moi!! An original recipe follows, and if you are a Chex Mix lover, try it, and let me know what you think.

CHERRY BANANA CRUNCH

8 cups Rice or Corn Chex cereal
1 cup Frosted Cheerios
1 cup granola (or two cups Cheerios)
1 package banana chips
1 package dried cherries
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
3 Tablespoons (TBLS) corn syrup
6 TBLS butter, cubed
1 large box cherry jello

Large size (roasting) bag for shaking

Place cereals (granola) in a large, microwave-safe bowl. Set aside.
In microwave safe measuring cup or bowl, place cubed butter, brown sugar, and syrup. Microwave 1 minute and stir. Microwave at 10 second intervals until butter is melted and mixture combined if needed. Stir and add two TBLS cherry jello. Mix well and microwave 30 seconds or until mixture is hot and mixed well. Pour three-quarters of mixture over cereal and fold into cereal until coated. Microwave 1 minute and gently fold until cereal is well coated with syrup. Add bananas, cherries, and rest of syrup mixture. Fold into cereal until well coated. Microwave two minutes, folding well after each minute. Fold well and set aside to cool slightly. Pour approximately half the remaining cherry jello in a large (roasting size) bag and add cereal. Pour balance of jello on top of cereal, close securely, and shake to coat pieces as evenly as possible. Spread on wax paper to cool and keep in airtight container - if it lasts that long.