This isn’t a successful cooking post for me. It’s a successful “get my niece to make things from scratch” post. The niece who I figured out the Mocha Frappacino recipe for. And the niece who loves Stacy’s Pita Chips.

We’ve been working together cooking new-to-her dishes. She’s always made a mean microwaved frozen dinner, but she’s expanding her horizons! She actually made enchiladas–from scratch!–for me for dinner the other night. I was around and answered questions, but that was it. Many of you may think my niece is in her teens. No, she is in her mid-twenties. I cannot believe my brother, the one who likes to cook and try new things, did not teach her to cook. She survives, but out of the un-healthy and expensive sections of a grocery store. I’ve taken her under my wing.

But this post is her very own. From finding a recipe (and making do with what she had) to serving snacks to her friends and not wandering down the snack aisle of the grocery store. It’s a simple snack to many, but to her it was a big accomplishment. She’s even caught onto taking pictures of everything you cook–it might be on the blog someday!

How to make Ranch Oyster Crackers: Printable

Simple and inexpensive ingredients makes for an easy and inexpensive snack. Total cost for 20 ounces of snack crackers was about $2…compared to $6 for the same amount of chips.

Combine 1 package (or 2 tablespoons) Ranch mix with 1 cup olive oil. Add 1 teaspoon Mrs. Dash and 3/4 teaspoon garlic salt. Lemon pepper, dill weed and garlic powder was originally called for. She substituted for what she had on hand. They loved the seasoning combination.

Pour over 2 bags plain oyster crackers and mix together until everything is coated.

Spread into a cookie sheet with sides.

Bake in a 250F oven for 15-20 minutes.

I’m so proud!

Cindy blogs at Our Life Simplified.

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