Garlic Knots

Make these little guys to serve with any Pasta dishes. I found this recipe on Facebook and tried making them, they where Wonderful. You can make some to go with Pizza night, spaghetti and meatballs or any pasta dinners.

Garlic Knots

1 3/4 cups of warm water at 115 degrees
1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon of sea salt or other course salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons of Active Dry Yeast
5 and 1/2 cups of all purpose flour

Topping

1/8 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
4 cloves fresh garlic, minced and crushed
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

Combine water, olive oil, salt, sugar, and active dry yeast in a larger bowl. Mix so that yeast dissolves then add the flour and mix well.
Cover the bowl with a warm hand towel or greased plastic wrap and set in a warm spot until doubled in size (usually 1-3 hrs).

I then chill the dough for about 15 minutes to make it easier to work with, but you don't have to if your time is limited. You can oil your hands to help keep dough from sticking to them. Divide the dough in two parts. I throw the dough on an oiled surface several times to flatten it and then roll it into a rectangle about 5" x 16" and 1/2" thick. Next I use a pizza cutter to make 1/2" x 5" strips.

Sprinkle dough strips and work surface with flour. Taking the strip nearest to you, roll it back and forth to create an even rope. Tie into a knot (over, under, and through) and place on parchment lined cookie sheet. Place knots about an 1 1/2" apart. Using lots of flour to keep the dough from sticking to itself while making your knots makes it so much easier. Continue making the rest of the knots with the second half of the dough. After each sheet pan fills up, cover with a dry towel, and place in a warm, draft-free spot to rise.

Preheat oven to 400° degrees. After knots have doubled in size, take off the towel bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

 Garlic Oil Topping

While knots are baking, make garlic topping. Warm the olive oil, butter, and garlic in a small saucepan. Add chopped parsley and set aside. While the knots are still warm and just out of the oven, brush with the garlic oil and season with salt. Serve warm with your favorite pasta dish! 

Cinnamon Roll Swirl Cake Recipe!

the batter

3 cup flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup sugar
4 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 cup milk
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup butter, melted

Topping

1 cup butter, soft to the point of almost melted
1 cup brown sugar
2 Tbsp flour
2 Tbsp cinnamon

In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients together except for the butter.
once mixed. slowly pour in the butter.

Pour into a greased 9x13 pan.

For the topping, mix all the ingredients together until well combined.

Drop evenly over the batter and swirl with a knife.
Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes.

Glaze

2 cup powdered sugar
5 Tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla

While the cake is warm drizzle the glaze over the cake.

Holloween: Candy Corn Cookie Bark

Candy Corn Cookie Bark!

Not only is it bright and colorful but it is yummy too!

The sweetness of the Oreos, white chocolate, and candy corn is a great combination with the saltiness of the pretzels.

The first step is to spread your broken up Oreos (I used the Halloween ones with the orange filling), pretzels and candy corn on a wax paper lined cookie sheet.

Melt your white chocolate (I prefer to use the round melting discs you can buy in the bulk food section.  I found them at Winco or  use Almond Bark) and pour over the top of the cookie mixture.  Spread with a spatula if needed to get it all covered.

I used my spatula to push the outer edges in toward the middle.

While the chocolate is still wet sprinkle remaining candy corn and brown and orange colored sprinkles over the top!

Let the chocolate set.  You may place in the refrigerator if needed.

Gently break bark into small pieces for serving and munching!

Store in an airtight container.

Ice Cream Sandwich Cake

Ice Cream Sandwich Cake

A quick easy and yummy dessert!

You can Line your pan with foil, or not works both ways!
Also, feel free to use different flavored sundae toppings and different candies. You can also add fruit. Below is our favorite combination.

24 ice cream sandwiches
16 ounces of cool whip
1 jar caramel sundae topping
1 bag of your favorite candy, coarsely chopped Reeses peanut butter cups 
This great recipe (and many others!) can be found in our cookbook.

Yep, that's it.

Lay half of the ice cream sandwiches (whole) in the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch pan, trimming the last couple to get complete coverage. Top with half of the cool whip, half of the caramel sundae topping and half of the candy. Lay down another layer of ice cream sandwiches. Top with remaining cool whip and spread out evenly with a knife, making a lip around the edge so the sundae topping won't run out and over the edges. Top with remaining candy, cover and freeze for several hours (or overnight) before serving.


Depending on how cold your freezer is, you may need to thaw it on the counter for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Homemade Jewelry Cleaner

Homemade Jewelry Cleaner

NEVER BUY JEWELRY CLEANER AGAIN!

1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 tablespoon dish detergent
1 cup water
1 piece aluminum foil

Directions:

1. Heat water in the microwave for 1 or 2 minutes.
2. Cut a piece of aluminum foil that roughly covers the bottom of a small bowl (like a cereal bowl).
3. Pour hot water into bowl. Place salt, soda, and dishwashing liquid into bowl. Place jewelry on top of foil and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse jewelry in cool water and dry jewelry completely with soft cloth. Discard solution after use and make a new batch next time.
4. According to wire-sculpture.com, "this works well for gold-filled, brass, german (nickel) silver, and sterling silver. I have even cleaned jewelry with freshwater pearls, shell cameos and mother of pearl with no problem.".

Homemade Fabric Softener

What you will need:
2 cups of your favorite scented conditioner
3 cups of white vinegar
6 cups of water hot
A container to mix the ingredients and hold the softener in

Mix all ingredients together. You can use a pitcher to mix them all together and then just pour it into an empty containter.
It takes a minute of stirring, but do it until no more conditioner clumps. Don't shake it.
Use 1/4 cup per load and it works great!

Healthy Ice Cream Sandwich

**Healthy Ice Cream Sandwich**

-Ingredients-

-gram crackers
-cool whip
-strawberries

Directions

1. Blend cool whip and strawberries
2. Apply a thick coat to gram crackers and make sandwich
3. Freeze, and enjoy!