Buttery Soft Pretzels

If you make the dough in the morning, it is a great afternoon activity for the kids. We get some pretty funky looking pretzels around here.

4 tsp. active dry yeast
1 tsp. white sugar
1 1/4 C. warm water (110 degrees)
4 C. all purpose flour
1/2 C. white sugar
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 Tbs. vegetable oil

1/2 C. baking soda
4 C. hot water
1/4 C. kosher salt for topping


In a small bowl dissolve yeast and 1 tsp. white sugar in warm water until creamy, about 10 minutes. In a large bowl mix together flour, 1/2 C. sugar and salt. Make a well in the center; add the oil and yeast mixture. Mix and form into a dough. Knead until smooth, about 7-8 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl. Place dough in bowl, cover with a damp towel and let rise in a warm place until dough has doubled. I find that the oven with the light turned on is a great place for dough to rise. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. In another large bowl, dissolve baking soda in hot water. When the dough has risen, turn out onto lightly floured surface and divide into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope and twist into a pretzel shape. Once all the dough is shaped, dip each pretzel into the baking soda water and place on a greased baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt. Bake in a preheated oven for 8 minutes, or until browned.

For a special treat, after they come out of the oven, brush them with butter and put them in a bag full of cinnamon sugar and shake. Just as good as the mall pretzels!

Garlic Cheese Bread

BREAD
1 box Pillsbury Hot Roll Mix (found in the cake mix aisle)
1 egg
2 TBS melted butter
1 cup hot water


TOPPING
2 TBS melted butter
2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
6 cloves garlic, very thinly sliced
1/4 cup fresh parsley, thinly sliced and chopped

You will be dividing the above topping ingredients between the 2 breads.


DIRECTIONS

Follow directions 1 thru 3 on box. Cover dough and let rest for 5 minutes. Grease two round cake pans or pie plates (if you have stoneware ones or glass ones, use them). Divide dough in half and pat each half into one of the pans. Cover and let rise 20-30 minutes.

Uncover and bake at 375' for 15-20 minutes until light brown.

Remove from oven and brush each round with 1 TBS melted butter. Top each round of bread with the cheeses, then top with sliced garlic and parsley. Return to oven until cheese is melted and starting to bubble and garlic is softening. Remove and slice into wedges.

Sweet Golden Cornbread

So much better than out of a box, and very easy to make.


1 C. all-purpose flour
1 C. yellow cornmeal
2/3 C. white sugar
1 tsp. salt
3 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 egg
1 C. milk
1/3 C. vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray or lightly grease a 9" round cake pan.

In a large bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt and baking powder. Stir ingredients until blended. Next, stir in the egg, milk and vegetable oil until well combined. Pour into prepared pan.

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean.

Very Berry French Toast

This recipe is really good for when you have to make breakfast, or brunch, for a crowd but don't want to stand at the stove all morning flipping pancakes. Or french toast. People are always asking me for the recipe for this. Well, one friend did. And my mother. And if you have leftovers it's good heated and served for dessert!

p.s. Costco sells a large bag of frozen mixed berries which works perfectly for this recipe.

2 cups frozen blueberries
1-1/2 cups frozen blackberries
1-1/2 cups frozen raspberries
3/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Cooking spray
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 large eggs
1 loaf French bread, cut into 1-inch slices (slightly stale works best)
1 tablespoon powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine first 6 ingredients and pour into a 9X13 inch baking dish coated with cooking spracy.

Whisk together milk, vanilla, and eggs in a shallow dish. Add bread, turning to coat. Let stand 5 minutes, turning bread occasionally. Arrange bread in a single layer over berries. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until bread is golden brown and fruit is bubbly. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve.

Serves 6

Toasted Garlic Dipping Sauce

Very easy dipping sauce for bread on pasta night.



1 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3 tbs. Balsamic Vinegar (or to taste)
2 tsp. Herbs de Provence
3-4 tbs. toasted minced garlic (found in the spice aisle)

(I usually divide this among 4 ramekins, instead of one bowl, so everyone has their own dish)

Pour all ingredients together. Dip bread of choice into it. yummy.