Seasoned Saltine Crackers

It’s confession time once again, folks. And no, it’s not about my undying love for kitchen gadgets this time.  So what could it be this time around? Well, with my inability to have access to peanut butter, granola bars, or honeycomb cereal…I have turned to something else for snack time (I sound like I’m 5 using the term snack time). What is it?

Saltine crackers.

Yes, you heard it. Those measly little only-eat-them-when-you-have-the-flu…crackers. Here in Italy, they sell them in big quantities for uber cheap.  And better yet? They come individually wrapped. Okay, not individually wrapped as in one cracker per package. But like 10 in a little package. Which makes it really easy to pop one (or three) packs in my book bag and head off to class. Undoubtedly, I have at least 2 or 3 packs a day. It’s a problem. Almost enough to qualify for the My Strange Addiction show on TLC, but not really.

Last week, I realized I had stocked up and had close to 50 packs of those bad boys in a stockpile on my desk. It’s like hoarding, but with crackers. I went a day this weekend wondering why I had a headache. Turns out, I had only been eating crackers all day and forgot to actually eat lunch. Fail.

Yes, I have been told that I’m addicted to crackers more than once from these roomies of mine. And no, I probably won’t stop. Until Italy decides to sell Honeycomb, I have no other choice for a bedtime snack. Besides, they are dirt cheap to buy, so I suppose I can justify stockpiling large quantities, right?

Anyways, moral of this post. A few months ago, I saw this recipe that claimed that by adding a few things to saltines, you could make them little squares of heaven. Hmm, I thought. Sounded pretty darn good to me. So as I was scavenging to find enough groceries to make dinner tonight, I, of course, came across my stockpile of crackers. Turns out, if you just add olive oil, a ranch seasoning packet, and some red pepper flakes to saltine crackers, you get even more addictive little morsels. Yes, even more addictive.

And to my luck, my roomie had brought ranch seasoning packets from home (yeah, no ranch here either). They are SO easy to make and I can assure you that they make the crackers so much better. All you need is a sleeve of saltines, one ranch seasoning packet, olive oil to drizzle, and red pepper flakes.

Directions: Pour 3-4 sleeves of saltines into a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil (1/4 c to 1/2 c.) or until crackers are lightly covered. Sprinkle with ranch seasoning packet and 2 tablespoons of red pepper flakes (more or less, depending on how spicy you want it). Toss to coat and bake at 200 degrees for 15 minutes (watch to make sure they don’t get too brown). Serve warm or put in plastic bag to store.

You can serve these as a snack, or even serve them crushed up over garlic pasta (recipe coming soon). All I can tell you is that you will not be able to eat just one. Or maybe that’s just me and my cracker addiction ways…

Do you have a favorite (and easy) homemade snack idea?

Special thanks to Lovely Undergrad for introducing me to this addictive recipe. Not sure whether to thank or punish you…)