Showing posts with label pretzels. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pretzels. Show all posts

Monday, February 2, 2009

Snackies!!!

Since I was busy on Sunday with food prep....as many of you probably were too....I knew I wouldn't have time to upload my pix....enhance, crop and write my blog entry. And I figured many of you wouldn't be searching the blogs for ideas at the last minute...(hence why my pre-scheduled post for Sunday was on popcorn mixes...easy peasy).


When we sit down to a game, we like to have what's called "snackies". So substantial they can be as filling as a meal sometimes!!! Even though, it's after the big game...these are still worthy mentioning for your next party, or whatever sport you are watching now (hey Nascar is starting!).

Here is some of what I prepared on Game Day!!!

Bacon Wrapped Chicken
"Sweet and Spicy bacon swaddling tender chicken."
adapted from Paula Deen

2 boneless chicken breasts
1/2 pound bacon
½-3/4 cup brown sugar
½ tsp. Chipotle Chili Powder (adjust to taste)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cut chicken into 1 inch cubes. Count your cubes.
3. Cut bacon into half or thirds, depending on the amount of chicken cubes you made.
4. Wrap each chicken cube with bacon and use a toothpick to secure the bacon.
5. Mix your brown sugar and chipotle powder together. (Personally, my Chipotle powder I have is HOT. If you are buying this new like I did...check your heat factor!).
6. Cover your cookie sheet with foil (thank god for the reynolds non-stick!). Place a cooling rack on the foil and spray with non-stick spray.
7. Place bacon wraps on the rack and bake 30 minutes.

OMG....these were soooooooooooo yummy. Definitely making these again. Oink oink!

Pretzel Chicken Nuggets
from Half Assed Kitchen

2 chicken breasts (partially frozen, because they're easier to dice that way)
3 Tablespoons olive oil
Several handfuls of pretzel sticks
Black pepper
1 egg
2 Tablespoons mustard
1-1/2 Tablespoons honey

Pour olive oil into non-stick or iron skillet.

Chop chicken breasts into bite-sized chunks. Crack egg into shallow bowl or plate. Put pretzels in a Ziploc and pound with a rubber mallet until broken into tiny pieces. Dump pretzel dust and pieces onto another plate or shallow bowl and grind in black pepper.

Dredge chicken pieces through egg, then through pretzels. Spread out evenly in skillet and cook over medium heat until golden and juices run clear (10 minutes or so).

Meanwhile, mix mustard and honey in small bowl for dipping.

Serves 2 to 3 adults.


These were tasty but the mustard and honey dip was more the prominent flavor...only a slight pretzel taste. If I were to choose the BEST between these two chicken 'bite' appetizers for the next party....GO BACON WRAPS!!! oink-oink.

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Happy Birthday Mom !


Jenny Mac -9 months, Mom- 21

So I am busy as a beaver getting things ready for tonight. Dessert is all ready to go. As I said Mom didn't want your typical birthday cake. I understand. When it's your birthday sometimes you want something sweet that you REALLY love rather than birthday when we get opportunities to eat cake all year. Mom wanted me to make my Strawberry Pretzel Dessert. I got this from one of those 'church spiral bound' cookbook from my first year of teaching (like 19 years ago). I have only made it a handful of times for it's a bit laborious but SO WORTH IT.
I am one of those people who love the combination of sweet and salty. If that is your taste palette, then you will love this too.



Strawberry Pretzel Dessert
Makes 12 servings

JennyMac's favorite summer indulgence. OMG, this is the best dessert!

1 1/2 cups crushed pretzels
4 1/2 tablespoons white sugar
3/4 cup butter, melted
1 cup white sugar
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese
1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 (6 ounce) package strawberry flavored gelatin
2 cups boiling water
1 (16 ounce) package frozen strawberries

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix together the pretzels, 4 1/2 tablespoons sugar and melted butter. Press into the bottom of a 9x13 inch pan. Bake for 10 minutes, or lightly toasted. Set aside to cool completely.

2. In a medium bowl, beat the sugar and cream cheese until smooth. Fold in whipped topping. Spread evenly over the cooled crust. Refrigerate until set, about 30 minutes.

3. In a medium bowl, stir together the gelatin mix and boiling water. Mix in frozen strawberries, and stir until thawed. Pour over cream cheese mixture in pan. Refrigerate until completely chilled, at least 1 hour.

Note: The first cut is difficult as like pies. When cutting the pretzel crust will be harder to cut through and will not bend when lifting. Often the first piece, the crust will break somewhere. After the first cut, lifting from underneath, than the side will go much easier. Enjoy, I know we will!!!