Ants On A Branch Food

ANTS ON A LOG

Steps:

• Rinse off celery sticks and pat dry with a paper towel. Cut each stick in half.
• Spread peanut butter in the cavity of each celery stick.
• Press raisins on top of peanut butter. Enjoy!

ANTS ON A BRANCH

Steps:

• With a butter knife, scrape a flat spot on the bottoms of 12 chocolate covered malt balls.
• Place the chocolate chips in a shallow microwave safe bowl, microwave on high for 1 minute, stir and microwave for 30 seconds more.
• Set the four pretzel rods on a wire cooling rack to keep them from rolling. Place a piece of waxed paper under the rack to collect any drips, then drizzle on the melted chocolate.
• Before the chocolate sets, press three malt balls, flat side down, on each pretzel to create an ant's body. For legs, dip the ends of six crunchy chow mein noodles into the chocolate and stick them on the pretzel. Use more chocolate to attach mini chocolate chips for eyes and snipped licorice antennae.

ANTS IN TREES

Steps:

• Soak the noodles in enough hot water to cover by 1 inch for 20 minutes. Use kitchen shears to cut the noodles into 3 to 4-inch pieces and drain thoroughly in a colander for 10 minutes.
• Combine the soy sauce, rice wine, and chili paste in a medium bowl and whisk until smooth. Add the cornstarch and whisk until combined. Add the pork and mix until thoroughly integrated. Set aside for 30 minutes.
• Place a 12-inch saute pan over high heat for 1 minute. Add the oil and swirl to coat the bottom and sides of the pan. Once the oil shimmers, add the meat mixture. Stir constantly for 2 minutes, breaking the meat up into very small pieces. Add 2/3 of the green onions and continue cooking and stirring until the meat is well browned and in very small pieces, approximately 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-high and add the broth. Cook until reduced, approximately 3 minutes.
• Slowly add handfuls of the noodles to the pan, tossing with the meat mixture until combined and the pieces of meat cling to the noodles and no liquid remains. Serve immediately with the remaining green onions.