grandpa's oyster crackers.
welcome to day 3 of #12daysofblogging! if you're just joining us, you can find out more about the christmas linkup here. today's prompt is "DIY christmas gift". get inspired and spread the christmas spirit!a few years ago, i made i decision to give gifts that were consumable. most of us already have more "stuff" than we know what to do with, and sometimes getting gifts that are just going to take up space can be a little stressful. so when i can, i give things like candles, soaps, makeup, booze and food. that way, my friends and family can enjoy them, but they can also use them up so the gifts don't become dustcatchers.the downside to this is that sometimes the really good consumable stuff, the fancy soaps, the gourmet cooking spices, those can get expensive. and i like to give gifts to lots of people, so i have to find a way to spread the love.
allow me to introduce grandpa's oyster crackers. also known around these parts as crack. they are that good.
if you've only been reading for a short time, i should tell you that i've been cooking my way through my grandfather's cookbook (i've made four recipes so far, and they've all been delicious). my grandpa also included some of his best-loved snacks in his cookbook, including his oyster crackers, and now i want to share them with you all. these crackers make a great christmas gift for friends, neighbors, co-workers, anyone who likes delicious things really. my friends can all attest to the addictive nature of them, and i have yet to find anyone who has made them last more than a week in their house.
grandpa's oyster crackers (makes about 6 cups, but i would triple this if i were you...there are never enough oyster crackers to go around)
- 2 packages oyster crackers
- 1 C. canola oil
- 2 tsp. lemon pepper
- 2 tsp. dill weed
- 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 package Hidden Valley ranch original dressing mix (powder)
- holiday-themed tupperware containers for gift packaging
heat oil, lemon pepper, dill weed, garlic powder, and hidden valley dressing powder in a large saucepan over medium heat until hot. stir well, and continue to stir well between pours. put oyster crackers into a large mixing bowl or roasting pan, and pour oil mix over the crackers, pausing every so often to stir the crackers (do this in stages if you need to). combine well. continue to stir occasionally until the oil is well absorbed by the crackers (around 5-6 times). store in the airtight tupperware containers.note from grandpa: the grandchildren tell me that a holiday isn't complete without my oyster cracker snacks. i love making these treats for everyone and look forward to bringing them to all the holiday parties. 
add a bow to the tupperware containers for extra flair and give to the people you love the most. a word of caution: once you've tasted the crackers, fight the urge to keep them all to yourself. i may have kept an extra container for us last year instead of giving them to the person i planned on...no judgement please.i just love that when i give this gift to people for christmas, i'm giving them a piece of my grandpa. and in that way, his legacy of love and family traditions is passed on even though he isn't here anymore. that's a DIY gift worth giving in my opinion. let me know if you try it, nothing makes me happier than knowing others are enjoying his recipes just as much as we do![inlinkz_linkup id=349362]
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