Tailgate Time

Football season is here. For many, it's time to pack up the party and take it to the parking lot. Others may be gathering with friends around the big screen. Some will be passing snacks as they sit in the bleachers and wait for their favorite high school team's kickoff tomorrow night.

No matter the setting, snack mixes are a snap to add to an all-star tailgate line-up. Since Labor Day weekend is almost here, this Lemon Buddies snack mix says goodbye to summer with just the right combination of tart and sweet. And, if you're not a football fan, take it to pass around the campfire for summer's last hurrah.

Lemon Buddies

9 cups Rice Chex cereal
1 1/4 cups vanilla baking chips
1/4 cup butter (no substitutes)
4 tsp. grated fresh lemon peel
2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
2 cups powdered sugar

Measure cereal into a large bowl. Microwave chips, butter, lemon peel and juice uncovered on high 1 minute. Sttir and then microwave for an additional 30 seconds or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated.

Pour into 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag with powdered sugar.  Shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container. (If you want, you can throw in some unmelted white chocolate chips. Or, if you like chocolate and lemon, add M & Ms in your favorite team's colors.)

Need other ideas?

Click here for the recipes for both the Team Spirit Pretzel Snacks (above) and the Toffee Snack Mix (below.)

Below, it's School Spirit Munch. (It's rather obvious who we root for around here, isn't it?! But party supply stores and even some discount stores have colored M & Ms, so you can substitute your color of choice. For our Stafford Trojans, I would use white and red candies. You can also buy candy coating in a variety of colors.)

Or try this Peanutty Snack Mix. If you wanted to keep with the school colors theme, you could substitute colored M & Ms for the peanut  M & Ms. My family also likes this mix with Peanut Butter M & Ms.