Pretzel Rolls (not for the faint of heart - this recipe is a lot of work)

Pretzels Rolls

Ingredients:
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 cups luke warm water
5 1/2 tsp. dry active yeast
1/4 cup vegetable oil
5 3/4 - 6 cups of flour (dough should be only slightly sticky)
1/2 cup baking soda
Egg wash (1 egg plus 1 Tbsp cold water, beaten)
Coarse Sea Salt

Optional:  Dessert Option - Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels - also need 1 cup sugar + 1 tsp. cinnamon

Directions:

1.  In a large mixing bowl mix sugar and water.  Add the yeast and stir to combine.  Let sit about 5 minutes.

2.  Add flour and oil and mix until a ball forms.  Knead for 3-5 minutes on a lightly floured surface.  Grease a medium bowl with cooking spray.  Place dough in greased bowl and cover with a clean dishtowel or saran wrap.  Place bowl in a warm place for 45 minutes to rise (I put mine on the stove top especially when the oven is on, a sunny windowsill also works well).

3.  Cut dough into approximately 50 rolls and shape into balls.  Line 3 baking sheets with parchment and grease the parchment with butter.  Place the balls evenly on the baking sheets leaving room to rise again.  Let rise about 30 minutes in a warm spot covered with clean dish towels.  While the dough is rising again, Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.

4.  Fill a large deep skillet (at least 3 inches deep) or a large pot with water about 2 1/2 inches deep and add the baking soda.  Bring to a boil.  Drop manageable number of balls into the water and turn after 15 seconds.  Do not leave in the water longer than 20-30 seconds total or dough will get a baking soda taste.  Remove with a slotted spoon and place back on the baking sheets evenly.

5.  Bake pretzels buns at 450 degrees for 8-12 minutes or until medium brown.  Delicious warm with butter or mustard, or as a bun for sliders or a chicken patty.

Dessert Trick:

Well pretzels are baking melt 1 stick of butter.  In a small bowl mix 1 cup sugar with 1 tsp cinnamon.  When the pretzels are baked, let cool 2-5 minutes so warm to touch, but won't burn your fingers.  Drop in melted butter to coat.  Roll in cinnamon sugar.  Amazing Dessert, best served immediately (warm)!

Tastefully Simple Bacon Garlic Vegetable Dip

I love Tastefully Simple's Spices (especially Garlic Garlic, Onion Onion and Bacon Bacon).  I like to make Beer Bread and serve it with dip for almost every dinner party I have.  It is ALWAYS a big hit.  I highly recommend you attend a Tastefully Simple party if you haven't before.  They are so fun!  It's basically a Tupperware Party for food.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup low fat mayonnaise
1/2 cup low fat sour cream
1 Tbsp. Tastefully Simple* Garden Vegetable Dip Mix
1/2 Tbsp. Tastefully Simple* Bacon Bacon
1/2 Tbsp. Tastefully Simple Garlic Garlic

Directions:
Mix all ingredients in a medium sized container.  Refrigerate covered for at least a half hour or over night.  Serve with crackers, vegetables, baguette, beer bread, etc.  Enjoy!

Meatball Appetizer

Yummy Meatball Sauce to Warm Up Any Winter Dinner Party

Makes an awesome quick and easy appetizer.

Ingredients:

Homemade or frozen pre-packaged meatballs  (this recipe assumes the meatballs are precooked!)
1 part grape jelly
2 parts ketchup
Chili Oil to taste

Directions:

Crockpot Method:  Place meatballs in Crockpot, cover with ketchup/grape jelly mixture (remember 2 parts ketchup to 1 part grape jelly).  Add chili oil, to taste.  I don't like things very spicy, so I only add about 1 Tbsp. chili oil.  Cook on high for 4-6 hours.  Serve hot.  I recommend using toothpicks for serving/eating.  Enjoy!

Stove Top Method:  Place meatballs in a saucepan, cover with ketchup/grape jelly mixture (remember 2 parts ketchup to 1 part grape jelly).  Add chili oil, to taste.  I don't like things very spicy, so I only add about 1 Tbsp. chili oil.  Cook on medium heat with lid on for about 30 minutes or until meatballs are warmed through.  Serve hot.  I recommend using toothpicks for serving/eating.  Enjoy!!!