Simple (Garlic) Ranch Pretzels (Addictive!)

This is a super duper Super Bowl snack...and an ANYTIME snack too. 

These are a great seller at my farmer's market 'baked goods' stand through the summer. 

It's as easy as tossing the pretzels into a bag...drizzling with butter flavored
oil, then sprinkling with dry ranch dressing - VOILA!!
(& garlic powder if you choose to add)

These are very tasty...and addicting. And they only take a couple of minutes to make! NO Baking Involved!

I made several batches of these for my grandson's graduation open house recently and these were on every table - and a real hit! 

It's such a great recipe and soooo easy!  Once folks taste this delicious little snack, they'll ask for more...and the recipe too!

Your kids can make this one - it's really that easy! Three...yes 3!...simple ingredients.  My 10 yr. old granddaughter, Claira, made a batch when she spent a few days with us earlier this summer...

Did I mention they are addicting???? 

Even folks who don't care for pretzels have asked for the recipe. I've given these as gifts many times also. Wrap them up in a cute food bag and they'll love you forever.

I cleaned house for my friend Sandy, for many years - she keeps these in her home almost all the time, and she's the one I got the recipe from. 

(hover over photo to pin)

RANCH PRETZELS    

 2# mini pretzels

(Oftentimes I use 2 - 20 ozs bags...there's plenty of oil to cover them)

1 (12 ozs) bottle Orville Redenbacher butter-flavored oil

1 pkt. (1 oz) ranch dressing mix, dry

1 Tb. garlic powder, optional

Place pretzels in large 2 gal. ziploc bag (I use a 13 gallon garbage bag - unused of course) and pour oil over pretzels. (I place the bag in a pan to keep the oil from going through the bag onto the counter). Shake bag to cover pretzels evenly with oil - sprinkle dressing mix over and shake again until mixed well. If using, Sprinkle garlic powder over pretzels and "Stir" or shake bag about every 2 hours for several hours.  Let set overnight - keep in a sealed container. 

They keep well for several weeks stored in sealed container, so you can make them ahead. 

Linked to Weekend Potluck
    Meal Plan Monday

Simple Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels

Crockpot Cranberry Sauerkraut Meatballs

This would be a super dish to prepare for Super Bowl! *-*

It's one of those 'tricky' recipes that disguises a flavor...this one being sauerkraut.

It only takes a few simple ingredients and WA-LA!  You'll have a De-Lish dish and it's so easy!

I shared these with a friend recently and she raved and raved, and was amazed to think there was sauerkraut in this recipe. SURPRISE!

Another friend told me the sauerkraut put this meatball dish "OVER THE TOP!"

Still another told me she made them, her daughter loved them, and then was upset because she doesn't LIKE sauerkraut - ha!

CROCKPOT CRANBERRY SAUERKRAUT MEATBALLS

 1 (14 ozs) can whole-berry cranberry sauce

(jellied works fine too)

1 (14 ozs) can sauerkraut, rinsed and drained well

1 (12 ozs) bottle chili sauce

3/4 c. brown sugar

(You could substitute Splenda Brown Sugar if desired...

just remember you use half the amount)

1 ( 2 #) pkg. frozen fully cooked original meatballs, thawed

In 4 - qt. slow cooker, combine cranberry sauce, sauerkraut, chili sauce, and brown sugar. Stir in meatballs; cover and cook on low 4 - 5 hrs. or until heated through.

Yield: 5 - 1/2 dozen delicious meatballs!!

Linked to 

This Week's Cravings

              Eat at Home Ingredient Spotlight

Gooseberry Patch Roundup - Octoberfest

            Gooseberry Patch Roundup - 5 ingredients or less

         Ingredient Spotlight - Cranberries

Foodie Friends Friday

Keep Calm & Cook On: Crockpot Recipes

GBP: Happy New Year

Full Plate Thursday

Weekend Potluck

Whatcha Crockin' Wednesday

Meal Plan Monday

Leader Enterprise - Feb. 2011

Happy Valentine’s Day! It’s my favorite holiday. Some may say that Valentine’s Day is a gimmick for card companies, but I believe it’s a wonderful opportunity to let the special people in your life know you care. While most tend to think it’s just about romantic love, I think if you consider these ideas,they can help build any meaningful relationship.


Author Gary Chapman has written “The Five Love Languages” which has sold more than 1.5 million copies. These are a few of his thoughts about what he believes are the ways we communicate the depth of our affections to others.

1. “GIFTS: A gift is a physical symbol that the giver is thinking about you. A gift doesn’t have to be expensive. People have always said that it’s the thought that counts. But I remind couples it’s not the thought left in your head that counts; it’s the gift that came out of the thought in your head.

2. ACTS OF SERVICE: Do something. This love language is cooking meals, washing dishes, washing cars,taking out the trash. It’s doing anything that you know your spouse would like for you to do (for them). Learn to speak through acts of service.

3. WORDS OF AFFIRMATION: Another way to express love is to use words that affirm:”You look nice in that dress” “You look sharp in that shirt”.”I really appreciate what you did yesterday”.

4. QUALITY TIME: Quality time is not sitting in the same room watching tv. Take a walk or go out to eat, just the two of you,and talk. When you give quality time, you’re focusing on him or her. Maybe you are doing something that both of you like to do, but your focus is on being together, not on the activity itself.

5. PHYSICAL TOUCH: We’ve long known the power of physical touch:holding hands, embracing in an affirming way.



Once you discover which love language makes that special someone feel loved, then choose to learn to ‘speak’ that language.



Learning a second language is difficult. If you speak English, learning Spanish is difficult. If you speak Spanish,learning English is difficult-but you can do it.”



I can’t think of Valentine’s Day without thinking/dreaming about chocolate! Most of us think of enjoying chocolate as a guilty pleasure. If you haven’t heard that dark chocolate can be good for you, keep reading.



There is a great deal of scientific evidence that chocolate–particularly dark chocolate high in cocoa–is good for you. According to a new study ,small doses(1 ounce)of dark chocolate every day could decrease your risk of heart attack or stroke by 40%.



Now don’t think that means inhaling a few candy bars for the sake of your health. Beware of any chocolate bar that lists sugar as the first ingredient. Read labels-the darker chocolate with the higher cocoa concentration has the most benefits. People hoping to benefit from chocolate’s heart healthy effects should cut out other snacks and sweets. Eating too much chocolate will have negative effects that far outweigh the positive effects of cocoa.



I hope you’ll enjoy this fabulous new recipe with 5 simple ingredients.It’s good enough to serve company.

GERMAN CHOCOLATE BARS

1-18 ozs.box german chocolate cake mix
2/3 c.cold butter,cut into pieces
1 c.semisweet chocolate chips
1-15 ozs.tub prepared coconut-pecan frosting
1/4 c.milk

Preheat oven to 350.Grease 9”X13”baking dish. Place cake mix in medium bowl; cut butter in until crumbly(A pastry blender works nicely). Press 2-1/2 c. mixture into prepared dish. Bake 10 minutes;immediately sprinkle with chocolate chips. Drop frosting by tablespoonsful over chocolate chips. Stir milk into remaining crumb mixture; drop by teaspoonsful over top. Carefully spread with back of spoon to smooth. Bake 25-30 minutes until bubbly around edges and top is cracked. Cool on wire rack. Refrigerate 3 hours before cutting. Yield:4 dozen.

MINI BROWNIE TREATS

1-18 ozs. box fudge brownie mix (9” X 13” size)
48 striped chocolate kisses,unwrapped

Preheat oven to 350. Prepare brownie mix according to package directions for fudge-like brownies. Fill paper-lined miniature muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake 18-21 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool 1 minute,then top each with a chocolate kiss. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to wire racks to cool completely.Yield:4 dozen.

Be sure to take time to tell someone you love them. Our tomorrows are not guaranteed.

German Chocolate Bars

WELCOME FEBRUARY!!

Thought I'd share the page from the calendar my dear FL cousin Vanessa sent me a while back - it's sooo cute! I love what it says...

It's time to.....THINK CHOCOLATE!

I've been anxiously saving this recipe to share in February!

This would be great to serve for a Valentine's Day dinner.  For company even!

Only FIVE ingredients for this easy and totally delicious recipe!!

It's Ooey Gooey too - which I love.

GERMAN CHOCOLATE BARS

1 - 18 ozs. box german chocolate cake mix

2/3 c. cold butter

1 c. (6 ozs) semisweet chocolate chips

1 (15 ozs) can coconut-pecan frosting

1/4 c. milk

Preheat oven to 350. Place cake mix in bowl; cut in butter until crumbly. {I like using my pastry blender for this step). Press 2-1/2 c. into greased 9" x 13" x 2" baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes; immediately sprinkle with chocolate chips. Drop frosting by tablespoonsful over the chips.  Stir milk into the remaining crumb mixture; drop by teaspoonsful over top. (I smoothed the dough a bit with the back of a spoon first, but it isn't necessary). Bake 25 - 30 minutes longer or until bubbly around the edges and top is cracked.  Cool on wire rack.  Refrigerate for 4 hours before cutting. Yield: about 20

(Be careful not to overbake.  I took mine out of the oven after 25 minutes.)

The first time I made this, I cut it warm and we enjoyed it with ice cream.  It's rich and very yummy-licious!

FYI:  For those of you who have joined me because I 'do' healthy foods...please

stay with me.  With all my husbands health issues and dietary needs, and the fact

that I'm trying to drop a few pounds before a vacation in May, I will continue with healthy eating recipe ideas. 

BUT...I do believe a splurge is good for you now and again and this is one of those kinds of posts. 

So please hang with me and stay tuned for more healthy eating....

BON APPETIT!

This post has been linked to Sweets for a Saturday at Sweet as Sugar Cookies

 Mandy's Recipe Box , A Holiday Haven & Melt in Your Mouth Monday
Meal Plan Monday Ingredient Spotlight: Coconut

Mix it up Monday
Ingredient Spotlight - Chocolate
Weekend Potluck

Easy 6 Can (Very Lowfat) Chicken Tortilla Soup

Since this is the last day of January - and of National Soup Month - I thought I'd 'slip' this repost in...with different pictures.  I just made this again this weekend and don't ever get tired of it.

This quick and easy soup is listed in the 'lighter choices' in my cookbook under soups/salads.

Since I've been posting some sweet recipes, I thought I would share a  favorite low fat recipe.  Soup always makes for a delicious meal - especially in the fall...or in the winter.   We love this one and enjoy it often.   It's a quick meal for busy families.

It only takes a few ingredients and I always keep these on hand so when I get hungry for this quick and easy soup - I'm rarin' to go!

REFRIED BEAN SOUP

chopped celery and onion to taste

2 Tb. olive oil

1-15 oz. can refried beans

1-15 oz. can black beans, rinsed & drained

1 - 8 - oz. jar salsa or 10 oz. can of rotel tomatoes, drained

1 - 15 oz. can 99% fat free chicken broth

1 -15 oz. can whole kernel corn, undrained

1 - 10-oz. can chunk chicken

(or fresh cooked)

Sautee celery and onion in oil. The veggies add a nice crunch and add nutrition. I use as many low-sodium or lowfat ingredients as possible.

Stir in refried beans first, then

gradually add broth.

Add remaining ingredients; stir and heat.

(I drained the beans in this darling mini colander - a fun gift from a sister of my heart, Lois.

She's the one who gave me this recipe a few years ago.  It's one of the most repeated recipes in my kitchen.)

Or if you're in a hurry, just mix all six canned ingredients in a large saucepan in order given and heat through.

This tasty dish is low in fat - and has 49 grams of fiber - total - in this recipe!!

1 c. = Calories: 160; fat: 3 gr.;fiber:7 gr.

It is wonderful with a grilled sandwich,  quesadilla or tortilla chips.

Enjoy every slurp!

Linked to Tuesdays at the Table
          Recipe of the Week