New cookbook updates favorite snack mix

My paternal grandmother made Chex Party Mix every holiday season when I was a kid. We all loved it because she used the really good mixed nuts (no peanuts!) and that seemed fancy and special to us. Besides, who could resist that salty and tangy combo of cereal, pretzels and nuts?

So, this update on the 1960s party treat got my attention. It’s from Meredith Steele’s new “Effortless Entertaining Cookbook: 80 Recipes That Will Impress Your Guests Without Stress.” It has some of the original ingredients, but she based this version on an Indian snack called Hot Mix that’s composed of nuts, crispy noodles and raisins seasoned with curry.

Steele recommends this treat for game day or a cocktail party.

Curried Snack Mix

Makes 9 cups

3 cups square rice cereal (such as Chex)

2 cups pretzel sticks

1 cup rice crackers

1 cup sesame sticks

1 cup raw cashews

¼ cup raw pumpkin seeds

¼ cup unsalted butter

2 teaspoons curry powder

1 teaspoon soy sauce

1 teaspoon sugar

½ teaspoon cayenne

¼ teaspoon salt

½ cup golden raisins

Preheat oven to 250 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine rice cereal, pretzels, rice crackers, sesame sticks, cashews and pumpkin seeds.

In a saucepot over medium heat, melt butter, curry, soy, sugar, cayenne and salt; stir to combine. Once sugar has melted, pour over mix and toss to coat. Spread evenly on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 1 hour. Add raisins and cool completely. Store in an airtight container (up to a week) until ready to serve.

Recipe excerpted with permission from “Effortless Entertaining Cookbook” by Meredith Steele; Page Street Publishing.

[email protected]