Pretzel Dogs

Pretzel Dogs

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(This picture could have been better had my son and daughter not snatch some up the second they came out of the oven!)

One of my husband's favorite things that I make is pretzels.  He loves them and always complains I don't make enough, even when I make double.  I saw this recipe HERE on Buns In My Oven and knew I had to try it.

In this case, I didn't have to change anything, she did an amazing job.

First I started by getting the yeast prepped.

Then made the dough.

After letting it rise, I cut it into 8 pieces with my pizza cutter sprayed with non stick cooking spray and then rolled my ropes out on my mat.  I love the dimensions on this thing makes it so much easier to mindlessly shape.

Once rolled, my kids helped me wrap them around the hot dogs.  

If you've ever made pretzels before or bagels, you've done the baking soda bath before.

Then into the oven.

Then prepare for deliciousness.  The only thing I change about this recipe is the quanitity.  Everyone wants seconds! 

You can print the recipe right off her page HERE.

ENJOY!

Curried Chicken Salad

Curried Chicken Salad

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Found this Recipe from Pampered Chef's Main Dishes Cookbook, which I just found out is now discontinued.  Sad! Well... good thing you have me!  Made this for Zilch group the other night and it was a HUGE hit.  One of my favorite Chicken Salad recipes.

PDF Version HERE

So the recipe actually calls for light mayo and low-fat yogurt, and you can all follow such directions; however, with my underweight kiddos I pack on the full fat business!  And it's full of other good stuff for you so I don't stress.

I didn't do step by step pics of this one, cause, well, it was basically a whole lot of chopping.  And I was entertaining 12 girls that night so pictures were limited.

Anyway... on to the recipe!

INGREDIENTS:
1/2 c. (light - HA!) mayo
1/2 c. (low-fat again with the HA!) plain yogurt
3/4 tsp. curry powder
1/4 tsp. salt (I don't do salt much I added just a dash)
3 c. diced cooked chicken (I used canned because I was short on time, leftover rotisserie or grilled works great as well)
1 1/2 c. red seedless grapes, cut in half
3/4 c. celery, sliced
1/3 c. green onions with tops, thinly sliced
2 Granny Smith apples (I used something redder.. Jonathan I think, they came in my Bountiful Basket)
** I DIDN'T DO THE REST**
1/3 c. pecans, chopped (I never add the nuts)
1 medium cantaloupe

DIRECTIONS:
1. Blend mayo, yogurt, curry powder and salt; set aside.
2. Dice chicken, cut grapes in half and thinly slice celery and green onions.  Core, slice and peel apples and cut into thin bite size pieces.  (Mine was eighths after the slicing).
3.  Combine chicken, grapes, celery, green onions, apples in large bowl.
4.  Add mayo mixture and mix lightly.
5.  Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hr or overnight.

Pampered Chef says to serve this on slices of cantaloupe.  But I guess I'm a traditionalist with chicken salad and I served on croissants.  (But I did also serve cantaloupe to go with this delicious Fruit Dip! )

(Serve on gluten free or with the cantaloupe and it is Gluten-free!)

Find the PDF Version HERE

ENJOY!!

Gluten Free Homemade Macaroni & Cheese

Gluten Free Homemade Macaroni & Cheese

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My hubby and I ate half of the gluten free version and it was delicious!

INGREDIENTS:

8 oz gluten free elbow macaroni

4 Tbsp. butter

2 Tbsp. cornstarch

2 c. milk

8 oz grated cheddar cheese

pinch of salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cook macaroni according to directions.

2. In saucepan, melt butter, then whisk in cornstarch to make a "roux."

3. Cook for a few minutes.

4. Slowly whisk milk into roux. Whisk out any lumps, until all combined.

5. Add cheese and whisk until creamy and melted. Season with salt and pepper.

6. When cheese is all melted. Add noodles and mix until well coated.

ENJOY!! ;)