Puttin' on The Mitts: Festive fuel for the 4th

Summer is a busy time of year. There are grad parties, weddings, family reunions and don't forget about the Fourth of July. With the hustle and bustle that comes with the holiday, food is sure to be at the top of the list. But, if you're like me, time is sometimes an issue.

Why not simplify things for yourself with a quick throw-together snack mix the whole family is sure to love.

Whether you're going to be at the beach, on a boat or hanging out along one of the parade routes, you'll need some great snacks to get you by.

This Cheesy Ranch Chex Mix has a new twist in comparison to the more commonly known Chex Mix made with Worcestershire sauce, garlic and onion powder, etc.

While shopping for this recipe, I discovered there's also a fiesta ranch seasoning packet. I'm going to make another batch of this mix but kick it up a notch. I'm going to use the fiesta ranch along with some Tabasco-flavored cheese crackers and maybe some spicy peanuts. Might as well put a little more bang in my Fourth of July festivities!

CHEESY RANCH CHEX MIX

(Found on The Blond Cook food blog)

3 cups corn Chex cereal

3 cups wheat Chex cereal

3 cups rice Chex cereal

2 cups bite-size cheese crackers

2 cups bite-size pretzel twists

4 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted

1 1-ounce packet of ranch seasoning

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

1 cup salted peanuts (optional)

1 cup cashew halves (optional)

Mix all dry ingredients (excluding the nuts) in a large microwaveable bowl.

Drizzle the melted butter over the cereal mixture and stir gently until evenly coated.

Add the ranch packet and parmesan cheese and stir until coated.

Microwave uncovered for 3 minutes, stirring after each minute.

Add the nuts to the mixture and stir again before spreading it on waxed paper or aluminum foil to cool.

Store in an air-tight container.

Serving size: 13 cups.

-- DeLynn

When planning your Fourth of July weekend, snacks may very well be one of the last things on your mind. You've got swimsuits to pack, barbecue meals to plan, sparklers to buy, sunglasses to find and don't forget the sunscreen or the towels.

But fitting those snacks in is important as you bounce around from one Independence Day activity to the next, whether it be parades or parties or the beach. To alleviate the already long list of to-dos that accompany a holiday weekend, I am offering up my simplest recipe yet-a homemade snack mix that honors Old Glory with its red, white and blue ingredients.

I'll be honest: I'm skeptical of holiday-themed recipes that place aesthetics or color combinations ahead of flavor. But in the case of this snack mix, it fits both bills. Not only are the components appropriately festive, they also compliment one another in texture and variety. The sweet blueberries, tart cherries, sweet-and-salty pretzels and crunchy cashews combine for a satisfying blend of flavors.

The blend is also a little off the beaten path from your typical gas station trail mix-no raisins or off-brand M&M's (although you could certainly add those things if you choose!). The dried fruits and nuts will sate the appetite between meals without weighing you down in the summer weather.

STAR-SPANGLED SNACK MIX

4-ounce package dried tart cherries

4-ounce package dried blueberries

5.5-ounce package yogurt pretzels

6-ounce package salted cashews

Combine all ingredients and enjoy.

-- Chelsey