It's a Texas Trashy Kind of Christmas!

J.R. Holmsted

The holidays are here and with that means lots delicious food! One of my favorite things about this time of year are the family recipes that only make an appearance during the season. Right on cue, I received a bag full of my grandma’s Texas Trash (though some Yanks I know call this stuff Scrabble). It seemed like a perfect time to share my favorite snack mix EVER. Many versions exist, but I wanted to share the ones I grew up eating by the handful! My grandma has been making this since Truman was in office and none are quite like hers.

TEXAS TRASH
Recipe by Grandma Holmsted

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

10 cups dry stuff: any combination of Rice Chex, Corn Chex, Wheat Chex, Cheerios, pretzels, mixed nuts, pecans, and Goldfish crackers. Be sure to use at least 3 cups cereal or mixture will be too greasy. Place in aluminum foil roasting pan (17 x 12 1/2) or baking pan (17 x 12).

Mix and microwave in a small bowl:

• 9 tbsp margarine
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 3 tsp garlic salt
• 1/2 tsp seasoned salt
• 1 1/2 tsp Tabasco (This gives it a slight kick, adjust for desired heat!)
• 3 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce

​Mix thoroughly and pour over dry stuff in bowl. Stir carefully to coat uniformly. Spread onto pan and sprinkle lightly with garlic powder.

​Bake on middle rack for 15 minutes. Stir and bake 15 minutes. Then stir and bake 15 minutes more. Lay out paper towels on counter and turn over onto them to cool.

Here are the favorite combinations of my family:

• Grandpa: 4 Corn Chex, 2 mixed nuts, 2 pecans, 2 pretzels
• Adult cousins: 5 Corn Chex, 2 mixed nuts, 1 pecans, 2 pretzels
• Kiddos: 6 Corn Chex, 1 Cheerios, 1 Goldfish, 2 pretzels

Like many of my family recipes, you really can't mess this up. Mix, match, and enjoy all holiday season long! These make great goodie bags for parties, coworkers, neighbors, and even the super moms you dodge in the carpool line! Give ‘em all a bag of Trash!

Merry Christmas, y'all!