Homemade soft pretzels

Today's make from scratch recipe was soft pretzels.  I used to drive to the mall just to get a fresh Auntie Anne's pretzel.   Yumm.   But as we know, they are expensive.  I mean really?!  For dough?  Dough is cheap.  This was my first attempt at ever making pretzels.  I think they turned out pretty good.  They taste amazing.

2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast
2 cups warm water (110 degrees to 115 degrees)
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 egg
6 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
coarse salt
baking soda


In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add sugar, salt, butter and egg. Stir in 3 cups of flour; mix until smooth. Add enough additional flour to make a stiff dough. Cover bowl tightly with foil; refrigerate for 2-24 hours. Punch dough down and divide in half. On a lightly floured surface, cut each half into 16 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 20-in. rope. Shape into the traditional pretzel shape and place on a greased baking sheet. Boil  in water with 1/2 cup of baking soda.  One minute each side.  Place back on baking sheet.  Spray with pam.  Sprinkle with salt if desired. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 25 minutes. Bake at 400 degrees F for 15 minutes or until brown.

You can use different flours for taste.  I subsituted 1 cup wheat flour.  You can also use oat flour.  The only thing I may do different next time is bake on parchment paper and give them a brush of melted butter.They took a little practice but it got easier.  It was well worth it.
I made homemade queso for dip.  

Gringo dip copycat

So I am a Gringo dip fanatic!  There are days I drive by 54th Street and start salivating at the thought of gringo dip.  Dining out is not in my budget at the moment especially eating out and getting an appetizer.

I bought melting queso at the grocery store.  Melt it according to package instructions.
In my case it was 8 oz of queso and 6 oz of milk.
Add spinach  2 oz frozen  ( I chopped up fresh)
1/2 cup of pico de gallo
1/8 cup parmesan cheese
a dash of cayenne pepper depending on taste

You can easily double this recipe if you have a group.  I just wanted a small amount as a dip for soft pretzels.

My recipe today was minus the pico because it wasn't on hand.  It was still a winner!

Homemade Sugar Scrub

Homemade Sugar Scrubs 

I have seen lots of different ideas for this including using olive oil. 

After trying all a couple recipes I decided if I was going to do 

this I might as well invest in some better oils.  

Sweet Almond oil is a great base for sugar scrubs.

I also add Jojoba oil and glycerine and a coconut fragrance oil.

You can also use coconut oil.  I wouldn't use this as your main oil because it 

is a solid oil.  You have to melt it and it will re harden.

I have also used Dr Bronner's Castile liquid soap for the fragrance.  

Whatever you choose to use the basic recipe is the same.

Use 2/3 sugar to 1/3 oil mixture.
I start by putting 2/3 cup of sugar in my container.
Then measure out 1/3 cup of oils.  I looked into glycerine and
found out it's great for your skin so I add that in with my oil.
Add a couple drops of fragrance oil or Dr Bronner's Castile Soap.
I love using the peppermint soap with this.  It makes a great
peppermint foot scrub.
I use 1 cup ziploc containers.  You can also dress this up by putting in jars.

I found all of my oils on Amazon.  

Free Tide Pods Sample

Go Here to request your free sample.  I think they have 500,000 to give away.  The site is running very slow!

Free Chapstick at Walgreens?!

Chapstick currently $.99 for the .15 oz. size
less $1/1 coupon from the February Coupon Booklet
Final:  FREE after coupon


Thanks Short On Cents

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

Need a quick weekday dinner?   I've tried this recipe a couple different times.  The original recipe calls for chicken thighs but I had breasts in the freezer.  This is a great example of using what you have on hand.  In my case it's things I got on sale.
1 package of chicken
4 potatoes
olive oil
seasonings
I used fresh sage and garlic.  Along with salt, pepper, rosemary, and I found some cajon seasoning downstairs in the stock pile.
Toss all ingredients in a large bowl.
Place in casserole dish (or in my case a 9 by 13 pan)
Bake at 350  for approximately 45 minutes.
Time will depend on what kind of chicken you use.  I think thighs take about 25 minutes.  I always use a thermometer.  Chicken should be cooked to 165.
Costs:
chicken $3.44
potatoes $.75    5lb bag on sale this week at Schnucks for $1.68
green beans $.40
Everything else was on hand.
Dinner for 4 for under $5!!   That's Winner Winner!

Lux Seven-Day Programmable Thermostat $43.99

Today's deal of the day on Amazon..

A Lux touchscren seven day programmable thermostat.  Normally $79.99.

This is another great money saver.  We set ours to go down at night when we are

going to bed and also when no one's home during the day.  Why heat the house if no

one's home?  

Amazon Deal of the Day Lux thermostat