Childhood favorites: Chex Mix/Party Mix

Everyone has things they grew up with, this that are special, things that tell parts of the story of where one comes from. Chex mix or party mix, dating popularity back to the 1960s has always been a favorite. It's a family favorite at Christmas and a personal favorite anytime of year. I haven't grown out of with age or with diet change, but it has evolved with me.

Sometimes, I get where I just NEED Chex Mix or party mix, season has little or nothing to do with it (although it is still a necessity at Christmas). Most people know the most classic version with cereal, peanuts, pretzels, and pita chips or cheese crackers. A lot of people vary the mixings added to cereal. From the classic recipe there are tons of variations and I keep finding new ones all the time. With fall weather, late nights, and an upcoming camping trip drove me to NEED to make some. I planned two batches... my version of the tradition recipe and a recently found new adventure - dill pickle Chex mix. (I found this recipe recently online and have been tweeking it to to my desired preference.)

To my utter dismay, I struggled years ago with the realization that the Worcestershire sauce that is used for the most class of recipes is not vegan or vegetarian. For the first few years, I went without. My option being one of the alternative recipes,but it wasn't the same. I wanted what I had grown up with... right now the the scent wafting through the house while being slowly cooked in the oven. It was part of the tradition. Some traditions are meant to be kept... even if they evolve over time. After some searching, I realized I could bring back the tradition if I used one of the various brands of vegan Worcestershire sauce. In the beginning, I could only fine it online and it had to be ordered. In the past few years, I have been able to find it (and a few other vegan goodies) in local stores, making my life a little easier. Adaptions don't have to be difficult with a little time, research, and online ordering. You can find vegan butter/margarine or use vegan crackers and make it whatever you want to make.

The dill pickle recipe involves dill pickle juice (and how can you go bad with that?). I made both. Yum and yum and happy snacks for the next week or two.

"Traditional" Chex Mix with vegan Worcestershire sauce

Dill Pickle Chex Mix