Soft Baked Pretzels

Soft Baked Pretzels

1 package (.25 oz) Active Dry Yeast (1 Tbsp)

2 Tbsp Brown Sugar

1 1/8 tsp. Salt 

1 1/2 Cups Warm Water

3 Cups All-Purpose Flour

1 Cup Bread Flour

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2 Cups Warm Water

2 Tbsp Baking Soda

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2 Tbsp Butter, melted

1-2 Tbsp Coarse Salt or Cinnamon Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, add yeast, brown sugar, and salt. Test water temperature with thermometer. when it reads 110 degrees, add to bowl. Stir to dissolve. Add both types of flour and stir well.

Place dough on floured surface. Knead dough until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. *** To knead dough, press down on dough with your palm, fold the dough over and rotate 1/4 turn, repeat until dough is ready ***

Grease large bowl. Place dough in bowl then turn dough upside down t coat the surface. Cover with a towel and let rise for one hour in warm spot.

Combine 2 cups warm water (test again for 110 degrees) and baking soda in an 8 inch square pan. After the dough has risen, divide it into 12 pieces. Roll each piece into a 1.5 foot rope, 1/2 inch wide. Twist into pretzel shape, and dip into the baking soda solutio. Place on cookie sheets with parchment paper and let rise 15-20 minutes.

Bake at 450 degrees for 8 minutes or until golden brown. Brush with melted butter, and then sprinkle with coarse salt or cinnamon sugar.

*** In Kitchen-Aide, it's about 3 minutes to knead dough. ***

Mexican Lasagna

Mexican Lasagna

Prep: 20 Minutes    Bake: 1 Hour

12 Uncooked Lasagna Noodles

2 Cans (10 3/4 oz) Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup

8 oz Container of Sour Cream

1 1/4 tsp Ground Cumin

1/2 Tsp Garlic Powder

3 Cups Cubed Cooked Chicken

1 (4 oz) can of Green Chilies, undrained

8-10 Green Onions, sliced

3 Cups finely shredded Mexican-Style Cheese

1 can (2 1/2 oz) sliced Black Olives, drained

1 Cup Nacho Cheese Doritos, crushed

Chopped or Whole Cilantro Leaves if desired

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Spray bottom of 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray. Cook and drain noodles as directed on package. While noodles are cooking, mix soup, sour cream, cumin, garlic powder, chicken and chilies in large bowl. 

Spread about 1 1/4 cups of chicken mixture in bottom of 9x13 pan. Top with 4 noodles. Spread 1 1/4 cups of chicken mixture over noodles and top with green onions and cilantro. Sprinkle with 1 cup of cheese. Top with 4 noodles and spread 1 1/4 cup of chicken mixture over top. Sprinkle with olives and 1 cup of shredded cheese. Top with last 4 noodles and remaining chicken mixture. 

Bake covered with foil 30-45 minutes, until heated through. Remove from oven and sprinkle the crushed chips and 1 cup shredded cheese oer top. Bake 15 more minutes uncovered until bubbly. Sprinkle with cilantro, then let rest before cutting. Yummy served topped with your favorite chunky salsa. 

This is one of our favorite meals and makes for excellent leftovers, as well.

ENJOY!

Valentine Sweetness

Ingredients

5-6 Quarts Popped Popcorn

2-3 lbs White Chocolate Coins

3-5 standard size TWIX Candy Bars,

chopped into pieces

Pretzel Sticks broken up

M&M Peanut (use seasonal colors)

Parchment Paper or Wax Paper

*** Add more or less of any of these ingredients depending on taste buds. I find less is more with the candy, because the chocolate coated popcorn is oh so good on it's own. The little treats are a nice surprise.

Directions

Melt chocolate in stages in the microwave until smooth and creamy. Pour over popcorn tossing until coated evenly. Sprinkle in a touch of salt to enhance sweetness. Gently toss in Twix pieces and pretzel bits (Remember, sparingly is good with additions). I also added Valentine sprinkles for fun at this stage.

Spread out on wax paper in even layer and add a handful or two of M&Ms. Allow chocolate to set up and enjoy. Store in sealed container or Ziploc bag. 

This recipe is a lot of fun and gives you freedom to customize the mix how you want. I cannot emphasize enough you need less candy than you think you do.

ENJOY!