First of all you will need to scan the supermarket isles for some interesting types of cereals (avoid the coloured sugar coated ones).

Mix in a bowl:

• About 6 cups of assorted cereals such as Nutrigrain, Chex, Cherrios
• 2 cups pretzel sticks
• ¾ cup unsalted peanuts
• ¾ cup unsalted cashew nuts
• In a separate bowl combine:
• ¼ c melted butter or margarine
• ¼ vegetable oil
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp salt (or to taste)
• 3 tbsp Worchester sauce
• 1 tsp Tabasco sauce

Pour the liquid over the crunchy mixture and toss thoroughly to coat. Spread out in a couple of meat dishes and bake at 190 degrees for about 6 mins.  (Watch carefully – you do not want this to burn!)  Stir thoroughly and bake for another 6 mins.  When cooked, crunchy and delicious tip out onto some paper towels or absorbent paper to soak up any excess oil.  Cool and then store in airtight containers which are well hidden in the pantry.

• 1 1/2 c chopped dates
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2/3 c boiling water
• 125 gm softened butter
• 2/3 c sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
• 1 c self raising flour

Preheat the oven to 180C. Place the dates and the baking soda in a bowl and pour over boiling water. Stir and set aside to cool.
Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffly. Add the eggs one at a time and beat well. Stir in the vanilla. Fold in the flour and mix until just combined finally adding the dates and liquid.
Spoon the mixture into well greased large muffin tins and bake for 15-20 mins.

Butterscotch sauce

• 75g butter
• 1/2 c cream
• 1 c brown sugar
• 1 tbsp golden syrup
• 1/2 tsp vanilla essence

Bring all the ingredients to the boil in a pot and simmer 2-3 mins. Remove from the heat and leave to cool. Serve with the warm puddings. Delicious!
Makes 12.