Firecracker Mix

What You Need

2 cups mini saltines, Club® crackers, cheddar, or oyster crackers

1 cup stick or mini pretzels (or use 3 cups of crackers instead of adding pretzels)

1 cup Canola oil

1 spicy or regular Ranch dry mix packet

1-to-2 tablespoons dried red pepper flakes (optional; if you want flavor without the heat, you can use 1 tablespoon taco seasoning or 1/2 teaspoon each garlic powder, onion powder, and seasoned salt)

Large 2-quart or gallon jar

What You Do

1. Mix together the crackers and pretzels in a large jar (or bowl).

2. Toss in the Ranch mix and seasoning you have chosen to use. Shake this together with the crackers gently.

3. Heat the Canola oil in a glass measuring cup for 45 seconds. Pour it over the crackers and spices.

4. Shake the mixture together gently. Every couple of hours, turn the jar over to mix the crackers and spices better.

5. Let the crackers and spices sit together for a couple of days before sampling. Serve with Boursin cheese, bean dip, or hummus.

6. Tell your child that even though it’s hard to wait for a treat when you put it together, this special mix is for “tomorrow.” And when you eat it, you will say you prepared it “yesterday.”