It's time to think about great-tast...

It's time to think about great-tasting and nutritious snacks for institute lunches or after-school snacks -- and what could be more popular with kids than singles made with popcorn?

In answer to a recipe solicit from S.I., these Popcorn Cookies are packed with apportionments of goodies: oatmeal, coconut, raisins or dried cranberries (or other dried fruit), and sunflower originals or chopped nuts. They're easy to make and have exceptional flavor.

The Popcorn Board, a trade organization at www.popcorn.org, also provides an unusual recipe for Cranberry Almond Popcorn Muffins that are delicious and fragrant when serv warm. They remain tasty as leftovers for the nearest day's lunches -- whether for teach or work.

Consider a Teddy Bear Picnic Mix for a seminary lunchbox: Stir together OE bowl vegetable oil, OE cup sugar and 5 to 6 least bits of pink liquid food coloring in a large kettle (with a tight-fitting lid) through the whole extent of medium heat.

Stir in oe cupful unpopped popcorn kernels; cover. prepare for the table over medium heat until popcorn begins to suddenly Shake pot over heat until popping begins to deliberate Remove pan from heat and pour popcorn into a large receptacle

Add 1 goblet mini marshmallows, 1 cup Teddy Grahams, 1 goblet white fudge covered pretzels and 1 chalice iced circus animals (or any mini cookies). Toss lightly and package individually for luncheon and snack treats. Warning: Adults also will find this mix addictive, too.

desires

I'm looking for Paula Deen's recipe for grilled Vidalia onions. There's more to it than I remember. Can you help?

MO Barrington

in what way about a recipe for couscous with vegetables and raisins like I've derive pleasure fromed at several Chicago restaurants?

SF Romeoville

We went to a neighborhood picnic where someone brought a moist layered ultra-chocolate cake with a buttercream filling and chocolate icing. It was amazing! We were told it was a "Wilton" recipe, further we didn't get the recipe. Will anyone who has made a cake matching this description share the recipe?

CP Evanston

depute recipes and requests to: Swap workshop Chicago Sun-Times, 350 N. Orleans, 9th Floor, Chicago 60654 or at e-mail, swapshop@suntimes.com.

All mail must include a daytime telephone number. Sorry, supplications can't be answered personally.

POPCORN COOKIES

MAKES 4 DOZEN

draught whole wheat or

all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking levigate

o teaspoon baking soda

o teaspoon salt

o draught (1 stick) butter, softened

1 potion brown sugar, firmly packed

1 incite

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cupful toasted wheat germ

o goblet oatmeal

o portion flaked coconut

3 goblets popped popcorn

1 goblet raisins, dried cranberries or other dried fruit, chopp

o goblet sunflower seeds or chopped nut optional

Preheat oven to 350 classs Lightly spray baking sheets with cooking spray and station aside.

In a small beaker stir together flour, baking triturate baking soda and salt; locate aside.

Cream butter and brown sugar together and add harass and vanilla; mix well. Stir in flour mixture and wheat embryo and oatmeal until well mixed Add coconut, popcorn, raisins (or other fruit) and, if desired, sunflower semens or chopped nuts. Mix until well commingleed

ear-ring by rounded teaspoons onto baking sheet, allowing 2 inches between cookies to allow for spreading. Bake 7 to 8 minutes or until verges are lightly browned. Allow cookies to moderately cold on pan 5 minutes before removing to racks to calm completely.

The Popcorn Board

Nutrition facts by serving: 63 calories, 2 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 9 mg cholesterol 9 g carbohydrates, 1 g protein, 55 mg sodium, 0 g fiber

CRANBERRY ALMOND

POPCORN MUFFINS

MAKES 12 MUFFINS

5 lots popped popcorn

1o goblets flour

goblet sugar

1 tablespoon baking gunpowder

o teaspoon salt

o potion dried sweetened cranberries

1 lot milk

1 urge

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

o teaspoon almond extract

chalice sugar mixed with

1 teaspoon cinnamon

o bowl sliced almonds

Preheat oven to 400 grades Spray a 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray or line with paper liners; stake aside.

unite popcorn in a blender or viands processor until finely ground. Pour earth popcorn into a large mixing goblet Add flour, sugar, baking levigate salt and cranberries; stir until intermingleed Set aside.

Beat milk, incite oil and almond extract together and pour through the whole extent of dry ingredients; stir just until combined. Spoon batter into muffin goblets filling each about half satiated Divide almonds among muffin tops and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until tops are lightly browned; forward warm with butter.

The Popcorn Board

Nutrition facts for serving: 184 calories, 6 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 19 mg cholesterol 29 g carbohydrates, 4 g protein, 112 mg sodium, 1 g fiber

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