Christmas has always been my favorite holiday because it’s the best excuse to get as much family together as possible! The Christmas menu changed slightly from year to year in a potluck style, but one constant was always Special K Loaf. It used to be my grandmother’s specialty back when we had our gathering at her house every year, but when she moved, she passed down the tradition to her four daughter-in-laws. It’s always a must-have at Smith family dinners and is a comfort food for sure!
My grandmother is losing her short-term memory and vision now, as she turned 96 this year! But every time she sees me, once she cycles through four or five other bald relatives, she latches on to who I am. My grandmother is symbolic of the love in our extended family; we’ve always had a great time getting together for Christmas. She was always at the heart of it, making speeches about Jesus, inviting us to her home, and of course, cooking. I hope now as she passes holiday traditions on to the next generation we can continue making it as special for our kids and grandkids as she has for us!
Merry Christmas!
Special K Loaf
Ingredients:
- 1 (12 oz) box Special K cereal
- 1½ cups chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2–3 eggs, beaten
- 1½ cups milk
- 1 (10½ oz) can cream of mushroom soup
- 2–3 Tbsp soy sauce (or Bragg Liquid Aminos)
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Step 2: Lightly crush the Special K in a large bowl.
Step 3: Add nuts and onion; mix gently.
Step 4: In another bowl, whisk eggs, milk, soup, and soy sauce.
Step 5: Pour wet mixture over cereal mixture and stir until combined.
Step 6: Pour into a greased loaf pan or casserole dish.
Step 7: Bake 45–60 minutes, until firm and lightly browned on top.
Step 8: Let rest 10 minutes before slicing.
Eric Smith is a personal trainer/coach who has been a member of the La Sierra community for 30 years.