The Easy Snack Valerie's Mom Would Make 'Just Because She Loved Us'

Valerie Bertinelli shares a family recipe that's a perfect treat to make for the people you love.

Photo by: Rob Pryce

Rob Pryce

Get a Premium Subscription to the Food Network Kitchen App

Download Food Network Kitchen to sign up and get access to live and on-demand cooking classes, in-app grocery ordering, meal planning, an organized place to save all your recipes and much more.

Any fan of "Valerie's Home Cooking" knows how important family is to Food Network star Valerie Bertinelli. Her family frequently joins her in the kitchen and Valerie credits her beloved grandmother and mom with inspiring her love for cooking.

"I [remember] sitting on the stool watching my Nonnie roll out gnocchi, cappelletti and fry bread, and asking me what I wanted in the fry bread, whether I wanted it sweet or savory, jelly or cheese," Valerie told Food Network when the show premiered in 2015. "I still have her rolling pin and it's probably one of my most-prized possessions. And watching my mom cook three meals without a microwave. She made our breakfast and was making our lunches while we were sitting eating breakfast for school. Then we'd come home to a great home-cooked meal. So, it's always watching masters in the kitchen, which were the women in my life."

Valerie's mom and grandma served up heaps of love in addition to their delicious food — just as Valerie does today. As a tribute to them, she continues to share their recipes with all of us, including in her Mom's Amped-Up Snack Mix.

Valerie has especially happy childhood memories about this super fun and easy treat.

"My mom used to make this for my dad's poker games," Valerie says in her Mom's Amped-Up Snack Mix class on the Food Network Kitchen app. "She would make it for all the parties that she would have in the house. It was always something really fun."

Guest Valerie Bertinelli's party mix is displayed as seen on The Kitchen, Season 15.

Guest Valerie Bertinelli's party mix is displayed as seen on The Kitchen, Season 15.

Photo by: Jason DeCrow

Jason DeCrow

But the snack wasn't only for guests.

"We knew that us kids were being really well behaved when she would make it out of the blue just because she loved us," Valerie says.

On this Mother's Day, consider whipping up a batch for someone you love, too.

For more delicious recipes from the mothers of star chefs, tune into Ellie Krieger's Mom's Turkey Meatloaf class and Michael Solomonov's Mom's Coffee-Braised Brisket class on the Food Network Kitchen app.

Next Up

Is Peanut Butter Good for You?

Find out whether or not you should... go nuts.

5 Treats You Should Make for a Drive-In Movie

One cannot (and should not) watch a movie without snacks.

Class Act: Healthy Snack Ideas to Bring to School

Help your little ones and their classmates snack smarter this year.

50 Late-Night Snacks

Find a new way to satisfy your midnight cravings.

Hostess Introduces Bite-Size Twinkies, Ding Dongs, Donettes

The new Bouncers are 'snackable,' 'poppable' and 'shareable.'

Thin Mints Just Got Even Crunchier

You can now get the taste of Thin Mints ... in a Stacy’s Pita Chip?

Doritos Launches a Line of Dips That Taste Like Your Favorite Chip Flavors

The Spicy Nacho and Cool Ranch Jalapeno dips can also be paired with pizza, pretzels, vegetables, wings and more.

Lay’s Launches Three New Chip Flavors for the FIFA World Cup

Start stocking up on Adobadas, Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Popper and Wavy Carnitas Street Tacos.

14 Delicious and Healthy Snacks for Work

These homemade and store-bought snack options will keep you energized and satisfied throughout the workday.