Thursday, October 25, 2012

Toffee and Brown Sugar Rice Krispies Treats

Toffee & Brown Sugar Rice KrispiesTreats


Believe it or not, there was a world of television chefs before the Food Network came along and elevated chefs from public television personalities to international superstars.


As a child, I remember sitting in my parents’ living room on Saturday afternoons watching PBS’s block of cooking shows. My parents and I loved watching Nathalie Dupree, Jacques Pepin (who could forget the shows featuring his doe-eyed daughter, Claudine Pepin), Martin Yan (he can cook), and the legendary Justin Wilson. “I’m glad for y’all to see me. I gua-rone-tee!”

Watching these shows with my parents is one of my fondest memories. We would sit together as a family critiquing the dishes: wishing we could sample a dish or two and turning up our noses at others.

We laughed as Justin Wilson measured out a teaspoonful of salt in the palm of his hand for the one hundredth time. And, my mom with her preference for mild food would always note, “There he goes with his ole hot sauce.”

The programming would change from time to time and would include other legendary chefs such as Julia Child. I even caught some episodes of Jeff Smith, the Frugal Gourmet. I didn’t even know what frugal meant at the time. I thought it was a type of religion.

If you wanted a copy of any of the featured recipes, you needed to be prepared to take notes at the end of the show when you would get the episode number and the address to the television station where you would send your request. I like to think that the people who requested the recipes actually received them.

Years later, the Food Network became a permanent fixture in my own home. And, being a cooking show junkie, I watched it every spare chance I got. Then, my children came along and took possession of the television. Nickelodeon is now our way of life.

Because I allowed myself to lose control of the remove control, I also allowed myself to be weaned from cooking shows. That’s a good thing. I now get my cooking fixes from my cookbooks, my favorite web sites, and my own experiences in the kitchen. Back to basics, just like PBS.

Even though instant gratification is nice like turning to the Food Network whenever you want your cooking show “fix” or running to the internet and printing out the recipes you want from a certain episode, there’s something to be said for patience and waiting.

Waiting with your family on Saturday afternoons to catch the week’s episodes, waiting for the recipe you requested to arrive in the mail, waiting for a visit to a library or bookstore to thumb through cookbooks and handwriting the recipes you want to try. Waiting, anticipating, but thoroughly appreciating…

When I think back to those days and the snacks that we would eat, my mind always goes to two treats: Jiffy Pop popcorn in the silver domed-pan and homemade Rice Krispies treats. While microwave popcorn and store-bought treats are the norm in my home, I do like to whip up a batch of treats every now and then. And, I like to add a few things to make them even more special.



Toffee & Brown Sugar Rice Krispies Treats

¼ cup butter (plus 1 tbsp. for greasing the pan)
1-10 oz. pkg. miniature marshmallows
½ cup brown sugar
½ tsp. vanilla flavoring
5 cups Rice Krispies cereal
½ cup toffee bits

Prepare a 9”x13” baking dish by coating the bottom and sides with 1 tbsp. of butter. In a large stockpot, melt ¼ cup of butter and marshmallows, gradually adding the brown sugar until fully blended. Remove from heat, stir in the vanilla. Add the cereal and toffee bits. Gently press the mixture into the prepared pan. Sprinkle a few extra toffee bits on top if desired. Let the mixture cool and cut into squares.

Enjoy!

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The Chicken Chick

7 comments:

  1. I was considering making this a sugar-free weekend..that was until I saw the krispies - now I'm going to the market to look for toffee

    I'll enjoy them and be thinking of you, thanks for sharing

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  2. What a great addition to the "go to" Rice Krispie treats! I too remember the pre-Food Network days with the chefs you mentioned. How about the Galloping Gourmet; wasn't he a trip!!
    I always ask my daughter if she caught an episode of Chopped, Cupcake Wars etc, but she says (like you), "all we ever have on is Nick Jr!!"
    Have a great weekend, XOXO

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  3. What a fabulous idea! I was instantly drawn in by the title, and completed enjoyed your reminiscence about the good old days before technology encroached on our lives (but then, I wouldn't have the pleasure of this recipe tempting me this weekend!). Thank you for the recipe, I know what I will be getting at the store today!

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  4. These look so yummy! I love rice krispie treats and these sound like a delicious twist! I would love if you would come share at my new linky party, FriDays Made Sweet! at CupcakesWithSPrinkles.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for the invite, Meghan. I'll be glad to link up to your party!

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  5. They look so good. I love your additions to make it one fantastic treat!

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  6. These look amazing! I didn't think it was possible to improve Rice Krispie Treats, but you've nailed it!!

    I’d like to invite you to join us at the Clever Chicks Blog Hop this week!
    http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/10/clever-chicks-blog-hop-5-happy-hen.html

    I hope to see you there!
    Cheers!
    Kathy
    The Chicken Chick

    ReplyDelete

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