The recipe calls for chocolate chips melted into Rice-checks cereal, Corn chex cereal, Cheerios, pretzel sticks, peanuts, and M@M,s.
Problem is we have a peanut allergy in the class.
Any thoughts on how to remedy the recipe. I thought of doubling up on the pretzel sticks, or mixing in pop-corn after it is all well-mixed, because pop corn is just air but will likely mush. But, the mush may taste awesome (not look pretty...but all we need to do is cut it and place in individual bags).
Could I replace with some other salty, crunchy item I'm forgetting, or has anyone done something similiar without nuts?
I don't want to use pecans or other nuts because I don't know the extent of the allergy, and it's none of my business to call and ask the parent such.
Actually, I believe the child has Lyme and other TBD's, since we are on the site here....dark circles, chronic stomach pain to where he lives at the nurses office...and, my son just told me he hunts deer with his Dad.
Anyway, need advise quickly on snack rendition-
Thanks loads,
2roads
Posted by joalo (Member # 12752) on :
I would just leave the peanuts out of the mixture. I really don't think they will be missed. Or...maybe add some raisins instead.
Posted by carly (Member # 14810) on :
My son has a severe peanut allergy, also a tree nut allergy.
They don't always go together, but better to avoid the tree nuts to be on the safe side.
I usually just leave out the nuts from a recipe. There's really nothing that can replace them.
Except maybe toffee chips, but that probably contains almonds, unless you make it yourself.
Adding raisins is a good idea! Or maybe non-pareils or sprinkles.
Are you making reindeer food or snacks for the kids? I can't tell.
Posted by 2roads (Member # 4409) on :
Thanks joala and carly.
It is reindeer chow....huh, now that I think about it(it was someone elses idea), it's kinda ironic eh.....if I think too hard about the cooincidence, I'll probably choke on it.
I am not a baker, but I think it's relevance is as a salt contributer...and the peanuty crunch.
So, to add raisins would favor the sweet side...no?
Also, I need enough for 44 kids, so 5 cups of peanuts needs to be replaced with something to be true to the measurements and amounts.
It is a party, holiday snack.
ugh....
I bet my friend who suggested it has no peanut allergies or lyme disease in her class. Heck, maybe I can make crossbow and arrow munch. Posted by carly (Member # 14810) on :
What about butterscotch? I heard of a similar type recipe that uses butterscotch and chex ceral and chocolate (not sure of the name or the ingredients, though)
It's a holiday snack mix that's cooked (melted chocolate) I've never made it.
Good luck with this one. I know the peanut allergy kids offer a challenge to the teachers.
I always appreciate what they do to go out of their way to accomodate my son.
Posted by merrygirl (Member # 12041) on :
white chocolate chips:???
Posted by joalo (Member # 12752) on :
Ya, probably more pretzels like you mentioned. I'm trying to think of something salty that crunches.
How about roasted/salted almonds or another type of nut?
Sorry, I'm not much help....
Posted by 2roads (Member # 4409) on :
That is an option carly. I could just do that instead..thanks. I think it is important to have something everyone can eat. No one should feel punished because they have an allergy. I know I would not want that for my son if the shoe were on the other foot. I just need to be creative.
While chocolate chips sounds heavenly but is more sweet, which probably wouldn't bother anybody.
I am so tempted to do another nut for that taste joalo, but what if the child is allergic to all nuts? I didn't feel right asking the Mom about it.
I did think about the crunchy, salty rice puff crackers...I forget what they are called. Do you know what I mean? ...also, what about the puffed popcorn idea?
Thanks for working through this with me-
2roads
Posted by Topaz (Member # 20216) on :
Maybe if you take a walk in a health food store or healthy food section of your supermarket you'll get some ideas for that missing salty crunch.
Also, you could always add 2 1/2 cups more of both the pretzels and m & m's to replace the 5 cups of peanuts.
Good luck!
Posted by Gahagan (Member # 21194) on :
Rolled Oats (toast them first) Sunflower Seeds Grape Nuts cereal Soy Nuts (available salted or unsalted in health food stores) Potato Sticks or crushed potato chips Granola (make sure nuts are not an ingredient)
Posted by 2roads (Member # 4409) on :
Yes Topaz, that was a plan of mine to do today, but never got there.
But, Gahagan, you have come up with some things for me to look for at the health food store...soy nuts.,,interesting. If they taste right that would be choice. I like the potato stick option too. I'm worried the chips would turn to mush like the popcorn...what do you think?
I did contemplate granola. Do you know if there is salted granola?
Not sure what rolled oats are, but will ask.
Great suggestions-
Thanks Much,
2roads
Posted by 2roads (Member # 4409) on :
Thanks so much for everyones ideas.
I did end up finding the salted soy nuts. Wow, they are good and do taste like peanuts!
I'll let ya know how the recipe turns out-
2roads
Posted by Gahagan (Member # 21194) on :
Great! Glad I finally helped someone around here. Posted by 2roads (Member # 4409) on :
Gahagan,
I am sure you help out in many more ways then you know.
I can surely tell you that next Friday there will be 44 smiling children munching on Reindeer chow mix...and enjoying it....thanks to you!
2roads
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Sounds like a good substitute!!! I would have just made a separate snack for the child. (same snack.. no peanuts..)
As a celiac, I would not be offended AT ALL if someone adjusted a recipe to leave out gluten!!
Keep us posted!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by carly: Are you making reindeer food or snacks for the kids? I can't tell. [/QB]
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- 2roads, you mailbox is full, BTW.
Finding peanut-free food is harder than it sounds.
As the peanut is a bean, some individuals with peanut allergies are also allergic to other legumes. People with peanut allergy are not necessarily allergic to other legumes, but they may be.
You might call the kid's parents about including soybeans as they may not think about soynuts in a school snack. Even if the child can eat soybeans, If soy nuts share processing equipment with peanuts, that could trigger a reaction.
Sadly, plain M & M's pose a risk, too. It's not clear why they are on the list below but probably because they are manufactured in a plant and on machinery shared by peanuts - or they many contain traces of peanut oil or flour.
Some Pretzels also contain peanuts products.
Peanut oil and peanut flour is used in many products. That is not always listed - so it would be best to consult an organization that has already done all the research in this area.
Many other treats that one would think are safe, apparently, are not. I was shocked by the list below:
Welcome to a new school year. Please know that a student has been identified with a SEVERE PEANUT ALLERGY in your child's classroom.
With an allergy this severe, even the tiniest trace of peanuts or residue can cause a FATAL reaction. We would like to provide some useful information regarding food products. The best form of prevention is education!
Did you know that these snacks contain Peanut Products?
* Plain M & M's and Raisinettes - List peanuts as an ingredient
* ALL Snyder's Pretzels - Now say they are processed with peanut butter
* ALL Toll House Chocolate Morsels, Choc. Chunks, Swirled chips - all contain peanuts
* Wal-Mart brand Gummy Bears and Popsicles- Manufactured with peanuts
* Keebler Soft Batch and All Chips Deluxe Cookies- Contain peanuts
* ALL Granola Bars - All contain peanuts or peanut flour
* ALL Cereal Bars and Kudos Snack Bars - All varieties contain peanuts
* Oreos Double Delight Chocolate Cream and Peanut Butter Cookies - contain peanuts
This is only a very small portion of all peanut-containing products, but hopefully it will help to illustrate the fact that peanuts can be found in many different foods.
Please remember that INGREDIENT LABELS CHANGE FREQUENTLY - ``New and Improved'' or ``Better Tasting'' generally indicates a change in ingredients. Note that these changes may result in the addition of peanuts or nut products.
Thank you for your support in trying to reduce the risk of a LIFE-THREATENING REACTION in school.
[ 12-12-2009, 01:59 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posted by Gahagan (Member # 21194) on :
Wow...Keebler, that's some interesting information. I had no idea peanuts were used in so many different things. Kind of makes me wish I owned a peanut farm. :-)
Posted by 2roads (Member # 4409) on :
Unfricken believable.......this is the story of my life....in a NUT shell.
Right here....it's the gift that just keeps giving.
Well Keebler, you have successfully helped me to realise that this is the recipe from hell.
Now I gotta drive to 1.5 hours away to get the white chocolate chips.
My sister had a severely allergic child in her class and the Mom handed out a food sheet. You're right. No M@M's . Only Rold Gold Pretzels. General Mills Cheerios only................. Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- How about oranges and apples? Raisins, Cranberries? Bananas chips can be added, too.
It could be a fruit salad in little cups. That's all pretty festive to me and certainly would be authentic Reindeer Chow.
Dried cranberries (and other dried berries) - and banana chips - are coated with an oil, but usually not peanut oil and it would be easy to check.
I hope you found an easier solution that did not involve three hours of driving. I'm sure the child will appreciate your efforts and it will be great for him to feel normal, too.
Steering towards fruits / dried berries of all kinds may be the ticket. I had thought about coconut flakes for the snow but that may or may not be okay as it depends on the individual, it seems.
If your local grocers can't take care of you, if you have a TRADER JOE's around, you can call them and they will take care of you. They are great with that. Some other stores, too, would be happy to help if you call first.
There are four Trader Joe's about 11 - 16 miles from your location. I see from their website that they have lists for many other things (gluten-free, vegan, etc) but not about nuts. Still a phone call can tell you more. -
[ 12-13-2009, 02:56 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posted by 2roads (Member # 4409) on :
Thanks Keebler.
I don't live in PA anymore, I moved to Indiana. There isn't a Trader Joes for miles. Anything that's anything is North of Indy it seems, and I aint there.
I did order a chocolate nut free drizzle which is being shipped from Georgia.
That's the last component of this recipe with nuts.
If anyone wants nut free reindeer mix let me know. I'll know how it tastes this Friday-
Hugs,
2roads
Posted by carly (Member # 14810) on :
2roads, You're a real gem, taking these measures to ensure all the children have a happy, healthy holiday party!
Hope it goes well! And I know your efforts will be appreciated.
It melts my heart when I see teachers or other parents accomodating my child's needs.
I know some here were surprised to find out how difficult it is to find peanut-free foods.
I'm not. I've been meeting the challenge of looking for peanut-free and nut-free foods/snacks for years.
The school will call me before they even give my son apple juice! Even with detailed forms on file. (Better safe than sorry)
Thanks to Keebler for (yet again) supplying great information!
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
How about using Cheez-its? Or gold fish crackers? They would give you that salty crunchy twist.
Posted by 2roads (Member # 4409) on :
Yeah, Carly I appreciate your pain.
Thanks Sammy, but the concoction was due today.
....and it looked rough. I have yet to taste it. Rumor had it, it was good.
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