Ms. Kinney's White Trash

Before winter break, after my students have handed in their final projects and taken their final exams, I bestow upon them the ever coveted White Trash. In fact, this year I'm giving them the address of this blog so they can make it themselves.

It starts with your favorite cereals and salty snacks. My favs are Crispix, Rice Chex, Coco Roos, pretzel sticks, Cheezit crackers, Mini Ritz Bits sandwiches with peanut butter or honey roasted peanuts. One box/bag of each...mix 'em up and spread them out on a foil-covered surface.

Put a big heat-proof bowl over a pot of simmering water (called a double boiler)  But don't let the water boil! Now with a heavy knife, chop up a block of Almond Bark. Almond Bark is NOT white chocolate. You can buy it in the baking section of most grocery stores. It comes in a big segmented chunk that is too clunky to melt efficiently so you'll need those chopped, small pieces in the top of that double boiler if you value your time. Find a large ladle for stirring the melting bark--you'll also need it to do the dipping later.

I use a big stainless steel bowl over a deep pasta pot--notice the bark has plenty of room here. You want to keep it clear of any steam or drops of water! If water touches the bark at this stage, it will get all gummy and weird. That's called seizing up and if it happens you might as well just dump it and start over.

When the bark is smoooooth and ever so melty, ladle it over the cereal mix on the foil. Don't worry too much about big glops but you should try to spread it around evenly.

Use your hands to mix the melted bark and cereal stuff while the bark is still warm. It's very messy and stuff falls on the floor but totally worth the trouble.

Voila! White Trash! It doesn't take long to firm up and "dry." Break it up and place in plastic bags or air-tight containers. It freezes well and, even when left out for snacking, stays fresh tasting for a long time.

Merry Christmas and Happy First Semester's End to my fabulous Art students! Love you guys!  --Ms. K