I went back and browsed through the recipes and cooking tips I have shared on this post, and I was amazed that this will be #14. That means that I have been doing this over 3 months, and my how the time has flown! At my house, it is not uncommon to hear someone say “wow! This is BLOG WORTHY!” which I receive as a fine compliment. However, it also means that I spend a lot of time taking pictures of practically everything I do, just in case I need it for a blog post.
California Girl puts the actual post together. I submit a typed “blog” to her, which she looks over and adds her own comments, and then she selects photographs to go with the post from an assortment of pictures that I send her. It’s always a surprise to me what the post looks like each week, and I look forward to seeing it at the same time as all of you.
I don’t normally ask her “permission” for a recipe, but I made an exception for this one because it isn’t a recipe in the true sense of the word. However, I have so many people ask how I make these, and absolutely go nuts over them when I bring them to an event, that I thought I would share them with you. We don’t even have a name for them, and the family refers to them as “those crackers you make in a jar.”
California Girl comments: When Ms. April first approached me about these crackers I paused. I honestly still can’t wrap my head around how the crackers stay crispy when they have been marinated in liquid. Still, she assures me that they are amazing so I believe her. I can’t wait to get home and try these little beauties out. They sound like they will be a perfect addition to my entertaining crackers. Yummy.
Before you decide you aren’t going to try this, let me tell you that you are doing yourself and your family a disservice if you don’t try them. They are easy, and you can change them up as you like…and they are so good you won’t be able to stop eating them. In fact, I had to make a second jar this week so I could have a picture of the finished product because when I went to get the jar out of the pantry to photograph, there were only 4 crackers left in the bottom of the jar. Kaydence, my granddaughter, had discovered them and finished off the entire gallon jug in just two days while watching iCarly after school. These crackers are perfect to take to a party, or serve up while watching the big game, or just when friends come over. Seriously, your friends will ask you to bring them again and again.
You will need:
1-gallon glass (not plastic) jar. (like what you make sun tea in)
I box of saltine crackers (4 sleeves)
3 TBSP of Ranch dressing mix ( I buy the jar of Ranch dressing mix)
1 cup of light oil (canola, corn, sunflower, vegetable, your choice)
Mix the above ingredients together with a fork or small whisk. Then add one of the following combinations:
**1 TBSP of crushed red peppers & 1 tsp of onion powder
**2 TBSP dried dill & 1 tsp red pepper powder
**1 TBSP dried oregano, 1 tsp garlic powder & 3 TBSP grated parmesan cheese (the dry stuff in the carton). Don’t add the parmesan to the oil, but sprinkle 1 TBSP over the crackers each time you pour the mixture over the crackers in the jar.
**1 TBSP dried oregano, 1 TBSP dried basil and 1 tsp garlic or onion powder
**make up your own combinations!
Hopefully, My pictures will clearly show you how it’s done. It’s easy and will take you 5 minutes.
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1. Carefully stack the crackers horizontally in 4 stacks on the bottom of the glass gallon jug so that it is 1/3 full.
2. Give the mixture you prepared a quick stir (the ingredients settle to the bottom of the oil, so you will want to stir it up each time) and pour 1/3 of it evenly over the crackers. If you selected the option that included the parmesan cheese, sprinkle 1 TBSP of the cheese over the crackers after you pour the mixture on them. (Make sure you get the parmesan cheese that is in the green cardboard container and don’t use freshly grated cheese.)
3. Stack more crackers the same way as before until the jar is 2/3 full, stir the oil mixture again and pour 1/3 of it evenly over the crackers. (If you are making the one with the parmesan cheese, sprinkle another TBSP over the crackers at this time.)
4. Stack the remaining crackers in the jar and repeat the oil process.
5. Put the lid snugly on the jar and lay the jar carefully on the counter or table and roll gently to distribute the oil mixture through the crackers. Be gentle. You don’t want to break the crackers. Place the jar on a folded dishtowel so that it doesn’t roll away, and leave on the counter. Every 20-30 minutes, roll the jar over to a new position so that the oil runs through the crackers. Eventually, you won’t see the oil moving much at all. This is normal. Do this throughout the day.
6. Throughout Day 2, every time you come through the kitchen, turn the jar over.
7. Day 3 – The crackers have now been in the jar for 2 full days. Open and enjoy.
We store the crackers right in the jar we made them in. They are crisp and delicious. Try these just once and you will love them. Have a great week! ~ Ms. April
