My favorite old family recipe….

My Mom and I have been making “Nuts and Bolts” every Christmas since I was a little girl. I’m not sure where she got the original recipe, but over the years, we’ve tweaked it a bit here and there until we came up with the version of the recipe we use today. Nuts and Bolts is a savory, little-bit-spicy version of Chex Party Mix.

This past weekend, (since Mom is in Florida and couldn’t be here in person to carry on the tradition) I undertook the annual Christmas Nuts and Bolts ritual with the help of two willing elves. In the end, we all had a great time and once again the house was filled with that familiar aroma of garlic, tobasco and worchestershire. Yum.

This recipe is just too delicious not to share. So, put on your apron and whip up a few batches of this munchy goodness before the holidays. It won’t last long around your house. I just know your family will love it! (Here’s a hint: you can get about nine batches from the boxes of Chex cereal.)

Preheat over to 350 degrees.

Mix in bowl:

1 1/2 cups of Rice Chex
1 1/2 cups of Corn Chex
1 cup of Wheat Chex (optional)
2 cups of Pretzel sticks
1 1/2 cups of Cheerios
2/3 cup Spanish peanuts
2/3 cup Cashew halves and pieces

Combine:

1/4 cup melted marjorine
1/4 cup oil
2 tsps garlic powder
1 tsps Lawry’s seasoned salt
3 Tbls Worchestershire sauce
1 tsp Tobasco sauce (or more, to taste)

Poor liquid mixture over crunchy mixture. Toss thoroughly to coat. Spread out on large baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for six minutes. Remove from oven, stir. Bake another six minutes. Poor out on paper grocery bags to soak up excess oil mixture. Let cool thoroughly. Store in gallon size Ziploc baggies. Enjoy!

4 Comments
  1. Guess what I’ll be doing this weekend? Thanks so much for sharing.

  2. Oh, I’m so tickled to hear that you’ll try our favorite party mix! Can’t wait to hear how you like it!!! Be sure to drop me a line with the feedback from the family….

  3. I’d be afraid to devour the bowl and we all know what happens….thighs grow! I’m sure making it brought back many fond memories shared in the kitchen with your mom too.

    Your kiddo is getting all grown up!!

  4. Hi Kimberly this sounds great and just the kind of thing my husband would love. I buy him lots of hot spicy mixes from Indian shops. Unfortunately in Australia the range of cereals is very limited (compared to what I have seen in say, the USA). I have not heard of Chex; can you please describe what they are like so that I can find a close substitute to have a try with? I think we get Cherios. Thanks. Sam

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