Crunchy Party Mix

Ingredients

• 1 cup margarine or butter
• 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Several drops bottled hot pepper sauce
• 5 cups small pretzels or pretzel sticks
• 4 cups round toasted oat cereal
• 4 cups bite-size wheat or bran square cereal
• 4 cups bite-size rice or corn square cereal or bite-size shredded wheat biscuits
• 3 cups mixed nuts

Instructions

1. In a saucepan, combine the margarine or butter, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and hot pepper sauce. Heat and stir until the margarine or butter melts.
2. In a large roasting pan, combine the pretzels, cereals, and nuts. Drizzle the margarine mixture over the cereal mixture and toss to coat.
3. Bake at 300 F for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Spread on foil to cool, then store in an airtight container.
4. Microwave option: Melt the margarine mixture in a 2-cup measure on high for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, stirring once. Combine half of the pretzels, cereals, and nuts in a 3-quart casserole. Drizzle with half of the margarine mixture and toss. Microwave uncovered on high for 5 1/2 to 6 minutes, stirring three times. Spread on foil to cool and repeat with the remaining ingredients.
5. Oriental-style variation: Omit the Worcestershire sauce and pretzels. Add 3 tablespoons soy sauce and 2 teaspoons five-spice powder to the margarine mixture. Add one 5-ounce can chow mein noodles and 2 cups bite-size fish-shape crackers to the cereal.
6. Italian-style variation: Omit the hot pepper sauce and increase the garlic powder to 1 teaspoon. Add 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning to the margarine mixture. Immediately after baking, toss the warm cereal mixture with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
7. Cajun-style variation: Increase the hot pepper sauce to 1 tablespoon and substitute 3 cups pecan halves for the mixed nuts.