As my friends know, I love to host a party. It’s become an annual tradition, for instance, for me to throw a watch party for the Oscars, which is my most favorite of my favorite events. Unfortunately, the din of party chatter inevitably drowns out some of the presentation, which can be frustrating for a film fanatic like me.
Which is why I think I should host a Super Bowl party. You know why? Because I couldn’t care less about the Super Bowl. Watch grown men hurt each other, gladiator-style, for my “enjoyment?” Blech. No thank you. All the more reason to have friends over to catch up, animatedly discuss current events—heck, they could even perform dramatic readings of their diary entries. I really don’t care to see anything that will be happening on the television that evening.
But I will want to eat.
And what will I serve? The snack mix to end all snack mixes. For real, y’all, this stuff is dangerously good. Sweet and salty and ultra-crunchy. In other words, perfection—courtesy of Food & Wine:
Snack Mix
•2 cups coarsely broken mini pretzels
•1/4 cup light brown sugar
•2 tablespoons granulated sugar
•1/3 cup dry milk powder
•6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
•12 ounces mini chocolate candy bars, such as Reese’s, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
Preheat the oven to 275°. In a bowl, combine the pretzels with the sugars, milk powder and butter. Spread the mixture on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and bake for about 20 minutes, until fragrant and lightly browned. Let cool completely. Transfer to a bowl and mix with the candy.
