It's pretty easy really. Ghost Whisperer is awesome.
Every episode has an extremely convoluted plot that could probably be resolved in 10 minutes but isn't so that all your favorite stars from the 90s (and I assume Jennifer Love Hewitt's BFFs) can have guest cameos. Sometimes it can be a little hard to even spot them - but once you do - it's pure hanging out/conversation gold! It was a make shift game that I really loved.* I think this is what Love Boat & Fantasy Island were for my parents generation.
Don't believe me? Here are just a few Ghost Whisperer Guest Stars :
- Jamie Kennedy
- Jay Mohr
- Mary J. Blige
- Rachael Leigh Cook
- Jason London
- Lacey Chaber
- Kellie Martin
- Josie Davis
- Balthzar Getty
Believe me there are more - way more... but I'd like to move on to explaining what this has to do with cereal treat bars. See, somethings aren't cute or clever but they are still good because they tap into a nostalgic sentiment that just feels fun and in the case of rice crispy treats feels like childhood. They aren't hard or masterful. They're just good and they remind me that I didn't have to give up anything to go vegan - just tweak things a bit.
So here's 2 classic recipes for what I've been calling Cereal Killer Bars for your Halloween parties this weekend!
The Classic Rice Crispy Treat
- 5 Tablespoons Margarine
- 1 Bag (about 3 1/3 Cups) Dandies Vegan Marshmallows
- 4 Cups Puffed Rice Cereal
- Olive Oil Cooking Spray
- Some Sprinkles for the top if you want
In a sauce pan, melt your Margarine and Vegan Marshmallows on a medium heat.Stir constantly.
In a large bowl, pour in the Rice Cereal. Once the Marshmallows are melted our them into the Rice Cereal and gently mix with a wooden spoon that has been sprayed with Cooking Spray. You want to make sure you don't crush any of the puffed rice cereal so be careful. Once it is completely blended, gently press the Rice Crispies into a glass baking dish that has been sprayed with Olive Oil Cooking Spray. Try to make sure they are not more than 2 inches thick.
Sprinkle with Decorative toppings and let cool for about 1-2 hours. Cut into squares and ENJOY!
The Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar
- 4 Cups Cherrios (or favorite bran or puffed cereal - Betty said Cheerios so I did what I was told and it was pretty awesome)
- 1 Tablespoon Margarine
- 1 Bag (about 3 1/3 Cups) Dandies Vegan Marshmallows
- 2 oz Dark Chocolate
- 2/3 Cup Peanut Butter
- 1 Cup Dry Roasted Peanuts
- Olive Oil Cooking Spray
Melt your Margarine, Vegan Marshmallows, Dark Chocolate and Peanut Butter in a sauce pan over medium heat. Stir constantly.
In a large bowl, mix Cheerios and Dry Roasted Peanuts. Once the Marshmallow mix is melted and smooth, pour into the Cereal mix. Mix them with a wooden spoon sprayed with Cooking Spray. Once thoroughly mixed move into a glass baking dish sprayed with Olive Oil Cooking Spray and let cool for 1-3 hours.
*In case your wondering where it all ended - hard to say. People change and something that was funny for 2 weeks didn't quite make it to 3 - also you can only over look so much bad writing and ridiculous plots. I mean I have a high tolerance for silly but it even began to test my abilities.
I assume that by "margarine", you mean Earth Balance?
ReplyDeleteWe use Earth Balance and love it but have been informed by several readers there are numerous smaller or local brands that are also vegan and some places don't have access to Earth Balance - So we just say margarine and trust you all read your labels and have your own favorite vegan margarine. You're already vegan or at least dabbling so you all must be pretty smart! :)
ReplyDeleteDo Cheerios have D3 in them? Last I checked all the big name cereals were adding vitamin D in the D3 form, which is from lanolin. Total drag!! But maybe Cheerios were saved from that.
ReplyDeleteWe didn't use the brand name cereal Cheerios because we buy a lot in bulk and the one we used doesn't. I looked online and some of the cheerios do - I would just suggest reading labels. Really you can use any crunchy cereal you want.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely adore your Halloween sprinkles on the rice crispies. I'm definitely making these on Saturday - thanks!
ReplyDeleteGhost Whisperer was definitely a guilty pleasure sometimes. I'm a sucker for David Conrad. There was one episode that really scared me. It took place in an abandoned psychiatric hospital, I think? Anyway, I totally get why you like that show.
ReplyDeleteI wish vegan marshmallows were easier to come by! I see them at the co-op sometimes, but never at Whole Foods. Both treats you made look scrumptious!
My friend and I dressed up like "cereal killers" for Halloween one year in high school. We dressed like bandits and carried around boxes of cereal.
ReplyDeleteI just made the Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars using Suzanne's Ricemellow Marshmallow Creme in place of Dandies since it's much easier for me to find. Now the trick will be to make it the full 1-3 hours for them to set :)
ReplyDeleteOn a side note: The Ghost Whisperer is quality B grade entertainment at its finest! I too had an intense affair with that ridiculousness, and it ended just as abruptly. Wonder what Melinda's crazy face is up to these days...
It's weird isn't it? I do feel a bit bad about how fast I turned on GW... I guess it was just a phase but I could have sworn it was love at the time.
ReplyDelete