Yes, I am going through a major dill pickle phase! I have always been a dill pickle fanatic but lately, even more so. When I saw Fake Ginger’s Dill Pickle Chex Mix there was no stopping me from making it! I love bits and bites and have made them before, once in the oven and in the slow cooker, always the classic flavours.
Using dill pickle and ranch dressing mix? I thought that was genius! A totally different flavour profile but still sounded delicious. I was in!
Attempt #1
I originally intended to make the exact same recipe (well, Suzie-style) and just make half the recipe because the original makes a ton!
You will need: 3 cups Chex cereal, 2 cups pretzels, 1 cup almonds, 3 tbsp melted butter (preferably salted), 1/2 pkg powdered ranch dressing mix, 2 tsp dill pickle juice, 2 tsp dried dill, 1/2 tsp dried garlic and 1/2 tsp salt if using unsalted butter.
That was the plan!
You mix together the first three ingredients in a big bowl. Then you mix everything else, pour on top and stir to coat. Put in a low oven and…
Crap! Mine came out totally scorched!
Those little bits are supposed to be light green, not black! Damn it! I could taste no dill, no ranch, no nothing. This is the second time I have scorched something in the oven. First my granola and then this. Baking on low was not going to work in my new kitchen.
The Solution
I turned to the original slow cooker made in Canada… Crock-pot!
At first I asked my Auntie Laima if she had a little slow cooker since I do not want something huge and she didn’t but then gifted me Crock-Pot Oval Casserole Crock Slow Cooker, 2.5 Quart! Thank you Auntie Laima! To the rescue, again.
It is so damn cute! The small one I had before was very tall but I needed one that was long and short so there would be more surface area and I could store the appliance on a small short shelf.
Attempts #2
So here I went again with the pretzels, slivered almonds this time and the Chex cereal covered in the dilly buttery goodness.
I put it on low and on a stool because we have a feline here who likes to eat cords!
Stir ever 45 minutes 3 times until mix is dry. Watch for scorching/burning. Every appliance is different. You need to make sure it does not burn because those are delicate flavours!
I transferred everything to a baking sheet to cool down.
Foodie Results
Mine still darkened a bit in comparison to the original recipe but I liked that there was a toasty flavour to it. If you prefer it to be more blonde, take it out after the second 45 minute cycle.
What a difference a week makes! We have a heat warning in Toronto today so there is no way I would have made this in the oven again.
Thanks to my new slow cooker (thank you Auntie Laima!) I can make more foods this summer without adding to the sweltering heat.
This was a very tasty weekend snack that I thoroughly enjoyed! It was creative, fun and a totally different flavour profile, one that I have been turning to more and more. Pickles have always been a comfort food for me.
When a recipe does not turn out it is not always the recipe’s fault. I personally required a different baking vessel because of my insanely hot oven. I am glad I did not give up and came up with an alternate way to make and enjoy this treat!
Yay for pursuing foodie goodness despite the challenges! I look forward to making even more in my awesome new mini Crock-pot. Feel free to share recipe ideas, it has been a while since I have had one!
You are very welcome. Good for you for persevering especially in this heat. I’m glad it was a success
It was a huge success and I can’t wait to use it for so much more, thank you so much!
Awww, the wee crock pot is so cute! Enjoy your munchies!
Isn’t it sweet? I just love it and thank you, I have been enjoying it very much!