One Crazy Cookie

 I was a bit intimidated by making pretzel bites, but was surprised at relatively easy they were to make.  This is my kids new favorite and usually the whole batch gets eaten quickly! Pretzel Bites 1 1/2 cups warm water 2 Tablespoons white sugar 2 1/4 teaspoons yeast 6 Tablespoons melted butter 2 1/2 teaspoons salt 4 1/2 to 5 cups flour 3 quarts water 1/3 cup baking soda 1 egg white mixed with a teaspoon of water  Combine the 1 1/2 cups water, sugar, yeast and butter.  Mix and then let stand for 5 minutes. Add the salt and 4 1/2 cups flour, mix on low speed until combined.  Mix until the dough is smooth and begins to pull away from the bowl.  If it is too wet add additional flour.  Remove from bowl and knead into a ball with your hands. At this point you can place the dough in a greased bowl and let raise for until it has doubled in size. (However, we never can wait that long so I skip the raising part and it has always turned out great). Preheat oven to 425 degrees Combine 3 quarts of

This is one meal that my mom used to make and I realized recently that I had not made for my younger kids and they loved it.  My one daughter named it "Inflatable Bread Tacos" and the name just stuck at our house for this new family favorite.  It is easy and quick to put together. Inflatable Bread Tacos (AKA Navajo Tacos) 2 cups flour 3/4 tsp salt 3 tsp baking powder 1 c  warm water Instructions: Combine the flour, salt and baking powder together.  Then add the water,  Mix until the dough forms.(you may need to add a little more flour or a little more water.  you want the dough to not be too sticky) Let the dough rest for 5 minutes. Divide your dough into 6 balls and roll out into 1/2 inch circles.   Fry each piece in a saucepan in about 1-2 inches of hot oil.  Fry until the dough puffs up and turns golden, then flip and do the other side (this happens pretty quickly). Set on a paper towel to drain the oil. Add your favorite taco toppings and enjoy

    I have been working on my meal prep skills lately.  I cut up my meat and broccoli and cooked it the night before. So when I got home from work all I had to do was cook the rice and make the sauce. It was simple and oh so delicious! Mongolian Beef 1-2 lbs steak cut in to thin strips 1/2 cup water 1/2 cup soy sauce 3/4 cup brown sugar 2-3 minced garlic cloves 1 Tbsp corn starch oil 2-3 chopped green onions or 1/2 cup chopped sweet onion cooked in a little butter until soft Cook steak strip in a little oil.  Remove and set aside.  To the pan add a little bit of oil and the garlic. Cook until tender,  Then stir soy sauce and brown sugar.  Add corn starch to the 1/2 cup water mix  well and add to the rest of the ingredients.  Stir constantly until it comes to a boil.  Turn to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to mix.  If the sauce is not thick enough for your tastes continue to mix in corn starch 1 tsp at a time. If it is too thick add a little bit more

Recently, I was asked to try out some Cacao Tea   which is also known as chocolate tea or cocoa tea) is a 100% natural tea which is brewed from cacao husks (also known as cacao shells).  They had me at chocolate...so I was excited to give it the taste test. Cacao tea has a delicious chocolate flavor and a natural sweetness despite containing no sugar or calories. Cacao tea is also gluten and dairy free. As a result, cacao tea is an excellent replacement for caffeinated tea and coffee and a great way to satisfy your chocolate cravings. Cacao husks are rich in antioxidants and flavonoids, which studies have shown have a number of health benefits. In addition, cacao husks are rich in the compound theobromine, which is a mild, naturally occurring stimulant similar to caffeine with a gentle, slow-release effect.  It is a beautiful loose leaf tea.   So a friend and I brewed it up. The smell is heavenly...  I couldn't wait. Cacao Tea is a high quality product.  It bre

Baked Eggrolls 1 pound sausage 1 cup diced onions 2 teaspoons minced garlic 1 package Cole slaw mix 2 Tablespoons sesame oil 1/4 teaspoon black  pepper 3 Tablespoons soy sauce 1 package egg roll wrappers Cook the sausage, onions and garlic together until cooked through.  Add the cole slaw mix, sesame oil, black pepper and soy sauce.  Stir and cook until heated through.  Put about a 1/4 cup of the mixture in the middle of your egg roll wrapper. Fold sides towards the center and roll. Place seam side down on a cooking sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray.  Lightly brush the eggrolls with oil (I use olive oil).  Bake at 425 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Turning them once about half way through the cooking time. *These are excellent in the air fryer. I make sweet and sour sauce to dip them in. Oh so easy and delicious! Enjoy, Tiffanee

A friend of mine brought this casserole to a potluck we had at work.  It was so delicious and different than I had eaten before.  It was a huge hit.  So of course I had to have the recipe and I tried it out on my kids.  They loved it!!  The flavor combination is amazing. Joan's Celery and Water Chestnut Casserole 4 cups chopped celery 1 can sliced water chestnuts, drained 1 can green beans, drained 1/4 cup minced onion 1 can Cream of Chicken Soup 1/2 cup Rice Krispies or Corn Flakes crushed just a bit 1/4 cup slivered almonds (optional) 3 Tbs Butter Cook celery in a small amount of boiling salted water, until tender crisp, about 8 minutes.  Drain celery and mix with the water chestnuts, soup and onion. Then put in to a greased casserole dish,  Toss Rice Krispies or Corn Flakes and almonds in the melted butter. Sprinkle it over the top of the celery mixture.  Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. *the original recipe calls for 1/4 cup diced pimento instead of onion.