!7: Rice Krispie Treat Receipe Buy: December 2011

Monday, December 26, 2011

For most people popcorn is just a treasured snack, but perhaps while chomping down some of this tasty treat you have wondered where it came from. There is no doubt that popcorn is truly an American snack, but did it come from America originally?

Who invented popcorn is perhaps one of the biggest popcorn questions. The answer, as you will see, is not so easy to figure out. What you are going to learn, though, is the best possible answer that is out there.

Read on to learn a bit more about how popcorn has come through time to be the gourmet snack we enjoy so much today.

Various Theories

The simple answer to who invented popcorn seems to be the Native American Indians. What exact tribe and where exactly the location was is not very clear.

Native American Indians were thought to have discovered popcorn by throwing whole ears of corn on the fire and it then popping. They would eat it as a snack and also use it for decoration and jewelry.

The oldest ear of popcorn found was in New Mexico in a bat cave. This ear of corn was dated to be 4,000 years old.

Aztecs used popcorn in Mexico in 1519 as food and décor.

Peruvian Indians used popcorn in the 16th century.

However, popcorn was and is most popular in America where it is still mainly grown in the Mid Western states.

Popcorn Through Time

Popcorn can be found all over the world. As mentioned, though, its main growing grounds are in the United States. However, it can be found anywhere that corn can be grown.

In early America the colonists used popcorn as a breakfast food. They would use sweetened milk poured over it as a breakfast cereal.

It was very popular in the United States during the Great Depression. Sweet treats and most treats, actually, were at a minimum due to rationing. Popcorn, however, was still widely available and was the snack of choice.

Popcorn is still very popular. It has been used in many different situations from street vendors to movie theaters to ball parks.

With the invention of the microwave and the introduction of microwave popcorn, this snack saw a surge in popularity once again. People began eating popcorn at home more than ever before.

Popcorn Today

Today popcorn stays with the times and continues to be a favorite snack due to the introduction of gourmet popcorn. The many flavor combinations has made popcorn one of the most versatile snacks on the market.

Gourmet flavors can make popcorn a sweet chocolate treat, a spicy snack or a simple delight with culinary undertones of rosemary and sage. Almost any flavor you can imagine has been put together with popcorn.

Popcorn has come a long way since its beginnings on the fire. It is no longer just a nice snack. It fills the need for many snackers from dieters to gourmet enthusiast. Today's popcorn is anything but boring and ordinary.

Who Invented Popcorn?

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Monday, December 12, 2011

Great Snack Ideas For the Classroom

!±8± Great Snack Ideas For the Classroom

Pre-schoolers and elementary students alike need a little pick-me-up now and then. Whether you need to send in treats on a regular schedule, or you have volunteered to help out with a special event, a special snack from this list is sure to please. Depending on how festive you want the occasion to be, you can package snacks in plain zip top bags, decorate your own bags, or purchase special treat bags that are designed to suit the occasion and then tie them up with pieces of ribbon when you have them filled.

Make sure you check with your school or teacher to see if there are any foods they don't allow at snack time. There are many restrictions in schools that don't allow you to serve certain types of foods to children, which can make it difficult to plan for snacks that are fun for kids. Many schools don't allow you to serve any peanuts or peanut butter due to allergy severity, and you may not have the option of giving kids foods that contain added sugar. If you are restricted to those foods that are deemed "safe and healthy", then you will need to add even more imagination to the presentation of the food to make it appealing to small children.

Great snack ideas:

Rice Krispie Treats are a favorite of children and adults alike. If you want to give them something besides the typical Rice Krispie square, mix up a big batch of the treats and add colored Krispies or food coloring. You do not need to be restricted to rice cereal-try a variety of different cereals for a different look, or go whole grain for a healthy, energy packed choice. Use cookie cutters in fun shapes or for the holiday to cut out the treats and you can add a popsicle stick to make eating them easier and neater!

Popcorn balls are a favorite treat, especially in the fall. Try mixing in a few M&M's and putting the ball on a stick. You can find many recipes online for caramel, cinnamon, and other flavored popcorn balls to give kids something a little less traditional. Popcorn may not be suitable for kids under the age of five, so be sure to check with your child's teacher if needed.

Veggies with Dip is a great snack for kids. One of the things that increases children's taste for vegetables is ranch dressing. If you can afford to get them the individual dipping cups with the dressing then have the carrot and celery sticks, broccoli, cauliflower, etc. already prepared, then it's just a matter of having the veggies divided and ready to eat. If this takes too much out of your budget, then get some little paper cups or holiday treat holders that won't easily spill and spoon out from the jar.

Fruit and Yogurt is another great snack time combo. Cut the fruit into small pieces for dipping, and serve with vanilla yogurt "dip. Home made trail mix is another great idea. You can easily make it in bulk, use the ingredients you want, and then package it in a variety of fun containers. This is a treat that is healthy, delicious, and approved by most schools! Ingredients can include any dry, bite sized morsels, like cereals, raisins, crackers, or seeds. Adding a small amount of a "fun" item like M&Ms can make your snack mix more appealing-just watch out for poachers!

You can also mix up a batch of "Chex" party mix. The recipe should be right on the box of cereal and is usually made in bulk. Kids will love helping to make their own snack right in the classroom and all you need are fun containers to scoop it into!

Whatever you choose as a snack for the classroom, keep in mind that packaging is a big part of the fun. Look for inexpensive and creative ways to serve great classroom snacks!