By Teri Cayton
The Parsons Advocate
This will be my last chance to wish you a very Merry Christmas and safe travels for you and yours. I hope the season is a good one for everyone and Santa treats you right. My Christmas is a hopeful one this year and I hope Christ reaches out and puts His hand on my family. Momma Said, “I need his Grace this year.”
This is a season for giving so if you have any gently used items that you can donate to your local shelter it would be greatly appreciated. Remember the young and the old inside and out of your family, take an extra minute and check on the elderly and make sure they have what they need.
I am going to leave you with a couple more recipes that you can make for quick give-away gifts to the people in your life that are hard to buy for. Everyone loves a snack and these are easy and cost effective for you and yummy for those who receive them. Again I hope everyone has a happy and safe holiday and just remember, Momma Said, “It is better to give than receive.”
Spiced Nuts
INGREDIENTS
- 1 egg white lightly beaten
- ¼ CUP sugar
- 1 TEASPOON salt
- ½ TEASPOON ground cinnamon
- ¼ TEASPOON ground cloves
- ¼ TEASPOON ground allspice
- PINCH ground cayenne pepper
- 1 CUP pecan halves
- 1 CUP cashews
- 1 CUP almonds
- INSTRUCTIONS
- Combine the egg white with the sugar and spices in a bowl.
- Pre-heat the air fryer to 300ºF.
- Spray or brush the air fryer basket with vegetable oil. Toss the nuts together in the spiced egg white and transfer half of the nuts to the air fryer basket.
Cajun Spiced Snack Mix
INGREDIENTS
- ½ CUP butter melted
- 2 TABLESPOONS Cajun or Creole seasoning
- 2 CUPS mini wheat thin crackers
- 2 CUPS peanuts
- 2 CUPS mini pretzels
- 4 CUPS plain popcorn
- Cajun Seasoning:
- 2 TEASPOONS salt
- 1 TEASPOON cayenne pepper
- 1 TEASPOON garlic
- 1 TEASPOON paprika
- ½ TEASPOON oregano
- ½ TEASPOON thyme
- ½ TEASPOON onion powder
- 1 TEASPOON black pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
- Pre-heat air fryer to 370ºF.
- Combine the melted butter and Cajun spice in a small bowl.
- In a large bowl, combine the crackers, peanuts, pretzels, and popcorn. Pour the butter over the mixed snacks and toss evenly to coat the mixture.
- Air-fry the snack mix two batches. Place half of the snack mix in the air fryer basket and air-fry for 8 to 10 minutes until lightly toasted. Toss the basket several times throughout the process for even cooking.
- Transfer the snack mix to a cookie sheet and cool completely. Store in an airtight container for up to one week, or place in gift bags with tags and ribbons for gift giving.