Mantke's Mini Mart

Preheat oven to 350ºF.
Put Crisco into a mixer bowl. Add cheese gradually, beating at medium speed until mixture is fairly smooth. Blend flour, salt, and pepper. Gradually add to cheese mixture, mixing at low speed. Stir in cereal with spoon. Shape into balls, using 1 tablespoon for each ball.
Arrange balls on ungreased cookie sheets. Lightly press with a fork to make a crisscross pattern. Dip fork in flour as needed to prevent sticking. Press a pecan half onto top of each, if desired.
Bake at 350ºF for 10 minutes or until lightly browned around edges. Cool for 10 to 12 minutes on cookied sheet, then remove to a rack to cool.

* If chicken tenders are not available, purchase chicken breasts and cut into strips.
Rinse chicken; pat dry. Place in 8-inch square glass baking dish.
Combine salt, parsley, sage and thyme. Sprinkle over chicken. Toss to coat.
Heat oil in deep skillet on medium heat.
Combine muffin mix, onion and basil in small bowl. Add milk. Stir until well blended. Coat chicken with batter.
Drop pieces, 4 at a time, into hot oil. Fry for 2 minutes. Turn. Fry for 1 to 2 minutes or until no longer pink in center. Place on paper-towel lined plate. Keep warm until all chicken is fried.
Serve warm with dipping sauce.