Soft Dinner Rolls

I love a soft dinner roll that have that golden brown top.  Put a little butter on a hot roll and mmmmmm-mmmmmmm good.

SOFT DINNER ROLLS
(makes 12)

Ingredients:
*1 tablespoon active-dry yeast
*1/2 cup warm water
*2 tablespoons granulated sugar
*1/2 cup whole milk, warmed
*1 egg
*2 tablespoons olive oil
*1 teaspoon salt
*3-3 1/4 cups all purpose flour
*1 tablespoon butter, melted

Directions:
~Place warm water, sugar & yeast into mixer bowl.
~Allow to sit for about 5 minutes until the yeast proofs (foams).
~In a small bowl, mix warm milk, egg, olive oil & salt.
~Add the mixture into the yeast mixture and mix just a little.
~Whisk in 3 cups flour until dough comes together (add the other 1/4 cup only if needed).
~Knead at low speed, until dough is smooth, but a little sticky, around 9-11 minutes.
~Place dough into a well oiled large bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let dough rise until doubled, around 1 hour.
~Place dough onto a lightly floured clean surface.
~Cut dough into 12 pieces.
~Tuck edges underneath dough, and roll into a round ball.
~Spray a 9x13 inch pan with cooking spray.
~Place rolls into pan,  with room between each roll (give room for the dough to rise).
~Place in a warm, draft free space and allow to rise for 40-50 minutes.
~Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
~Gently brush the tops of the rolls with melted butter.
~Bake in preheated oven for 16-18 minutes.
~Remove from pan and serve warm or cool on a wire rack and eat at room temperature.

Variation:
`When rolls come out the of the oven, rub butter over the tops of the rolls and sprinkle lightly with garlic salt.
`When rolls come out of the oven, rub butter over tops of the rolls and sprinkle with poppy seeds.
`Mix 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt & 1 teaspoon poppy seeds.  When rolls come out of the oven, rub butter over the tops of the rolls and sprinkle with garlic mixture.

Stuffing/Dressing

You can't have a turkey without having stuffing. Nothing beats homemade stuffing. It is just as good when warming it up for leftovers. This is a recipe that you can put together (all but baking) the day before Thanksgiving.

STUFFING/Dressing

(serves 12)

Ingredients:

*2 french or Italian baguette, cut into cubes (about 2 1/2 pounds)

*1/2 cup butter (1 stick)

*1 large onion, diced

*3 large celery stalks, diced

*1 garlic clove, minced

*2 teaspoons dried parsley  (1/2 cup fresh, chopped finely)

*1  teaspoon dried sage, rubbed between fingers (2 tablespoons fresh, chopped finely)

*1 1/2  teaspoons dried thyme leaves (2 tablespoons fresh, chopped finely)

*1 teaspoon dried rosemary (2 tablespoons fresh, finely chopped)

*1 teaspoon black pepper

*4 cups turkey (chicken) stock

*3 large eggs

Directions:

~Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

~Spread bread cubes in a single layer on two large baking pans.

~Bake for 15-20 minutes, until a light golden brown.

~Remove from oven and let cool.

~Heat 1/2 cup butter, in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

~Add 1 large chopped onion, 3 large chopped celery stalks  and 1 mince garlic clove, sauté until veggies are soft. About 8-10 minutes.

~In a large bowl, mix bread, cooked veggies, 2 teaspoons dried parsley (or 1/2 cup fresh, chopped fine), 1 teaspoon dried sage (or 2 tablespoons fresh, chopped fine), 1 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (or 2 tablespoons fresh, chopped fine),  1 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves (or 2 tablespoons fresh, chopped fine), 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, 3 large eggs, and 4 cups turkey stock.

~Grease a 3-quart baking dish.

~Put stuffing in baking dish.

~Cover with lid or aluminum foil.

~Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

~Uncover and bake another 10 minutes.

Steak & Cheese Stromboli

Yummy, filling, a very easy meal.  Love the mixture of melted cheese & roast beef.  I will often make my own pizza dough for this, but I have also been known if i'm in a hurry to buy the refrigerated pizza crust and use that.

STEAK & CHEESE STROMBOLI
(serves 4-6)

Pizza Crust Ingredients: (or buy 1 refrigerator pizza crust)
*1 cup warm water
*1 package active dry yeast
*1 teaspoon sugar
*1 teaspoon salt
*2 teaspoons olive oil
*2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
*1 teaspoon ground basil
*1 teaspoon ground oregano

Sandwich  Ingredients:
*1 pound of shaved roast beef
*2 cups cheddar cheese
*1 pound provolone cheese
*1 large vadalia onion, sliced
*1 green bell pepper, cut into strips and seeds taken out
*1 cup fresh mushrooms, sliced
*2 garlic cloves minced
*3 tablespoons butter
*1/2 teaspoon salt
*1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
*1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
*1 egg yolk
*1 teaspoon water
*1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
*1 teaspoon poppy seeds


Pizza Directions:
~In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast & sugar in the water.
~Allow the yeast to proof, about 10 minutes.
~In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, oregano, basil and olive oil.
~Mix in yeast mixture.
~Sprinkle flour on a clean dry surface.
~Knead dough, until it is no longer sticky.
~Place the dough into a well oiled bowl, and cover with a damp cloth.
~Let the dough rise until double.  About 1 hour.
~Punch down the dough, and for into a ball.
~Let dough sit for a few minutes.
~Roll dough into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick.

Sandwich Directions:
~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
~Chop shaved roast beef into small pieces.
~Melt butter into a large skillet.
~Add green peppers for about 5-6 minutes, over medium heat.
~Add sliced onions & mushrooms and sauté for another 4 mintues minutes.
~Add minced garlic and sauté for another 2 minutes.
~Season with salt, pepper & worcestershire sauce.
~Remove from heat and set aside.
~Spray a large cookie sheet with a cooking spray.
~Lightly sprinkle cookie sheet with corn meal (optional).
~Place pizza dough on prepared cookie sheet.
~Place provolone cheese down the center of the pizza crust.
~Pour the meat mixture over the cheese.
~Sprinkle the cheddar cheese over the meat mixture.
~Starting from the long edge, start to roll the dough tightly, enclosing the filling inside of the dough.
~Seal the seam along the side & ends of the dough.
~With a fork, whisk egg yolk & water in a small bowl.
~In small bowl mix garlic salt & poppy seeds together.
~Brush the top of the crust with the egg and water mixture.
~Sprinkle garlic salt & poppy seed mixture over top of the dough.
~Bake in preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown.

Variation:
`6-8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (optional), to roast beef mixture.
`Pour a little ranch dressing, bleu cheese dressing or chipotle sauce over meat mixture before sealing crust.

Slow Cooker Mac & Cheese

So easy to make, creamy & tasty.  Kids and adults seem to love this recipe.  You can throw the noodles in uncooked, just let it cook longer in the crockpot.  I prefer the noodles cooked ahead of time because they don't seem as mushy.

(forgetting to take a picture before people dove in = a messy picture)

CROCKPOT MAC & CHEESE

Ingredients:
*1 (16 ounce) box of macaroni, cooked & drained
*1 (8 ounce) velveeta cheese, cut into cubes.
*1 (16 ounce) bag shredded cheddar cheese
*3 cups whole milk
*2 (12 ounce) cans evaporated milk
*4 tablespoon butter, melted
*1 teaspoon salt
*1 teaspoon black pepper
*1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
*1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)

Directions:
~In a large bowl, mix everything but noodles together.
~Add in cooked noodles and mix well.
~Put mixture into slow cooker & cover.
~Cook for 3 hours, stirring once in a while if possible.

**You can cook this in the oven if you would prefer.  Spray a 9x13 inch pan with a cooking spray.  Add the mixed ingredients, cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350 for 1 hour.


Variation:
`add small chunks of ham if desired.

Crockpot Candy

I also make this in my instant pot on slow cooker mode.  So easy to make and it makes enough to share with all your friends.  I love the mix of chocolates in this recipe.  This is a great recipe to take to a party.  It goes a long way.

CROCKPOT CHOCOLATE
(makes 120-125)

Ingredients:
*2 pounds of salted dry roasted peanuts (or salted peanuts)
*4 ounces of german sweet chocolate, chopped up
*1 (12 ounce) package semi-sweet chocolate chips
*1 (12 ounce) packages milk chocolate chips
*2 (16 ounce) packages almond bark, chopped

Directions:
~Put 2 pounds dry roasted peanuts on the bottom of a 4-5 quart crock pot or instant pot
~Layer 4 ounces chopped German chocolate, 1 (12 once) package semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1 (12 ounce) package milk chocolate chips, and 2 (16 ounce) packages chopped almond bark.
~Cook for 1 1/2-2 hours on low for a crock pot or use the slow cooker mode on the instant pot, do not stir.                                                                                      
~After candy has been cooking for 1 1/2 hours stir the mixture with a wooden spoon until smooth.
~Turn off slow cooker/instant pot
~Drop by teaspoons into mini cupcake liners.
~Let candy cool completely before eating.

Variations:
`I love substituting the dry roasted peanuts with  peanuts, but you can use any nut you would like.
`Substitute milk chocolate chips with Peanut Butter Chips or Mint Chips.
`Add 1 cup raisins to the mix.
`omit 1 cup of the milk chocolate and add 1 cup butterscotch chips.

Chocolate Fudge

There is a much easier way to make fudge (like the one on the back of the 'marshmallow cream' jar), but this far out weighs it in taste. A little more time consuming, but not hard.

CHOCOLATE  FUDGE

(serves

Ingredients:

*1 1/2 cups whole milk

*4 ounces of a good quality unsweetened chocolate

*4 cups white sugar

*3 tablespoons light corn syrup

*1/4 teaspoon salt

*3 tablespoons butter

*2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

*1 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)

Directions:

~In a heavy saucepan over low heat, melt 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate and 1 1/4 cups milk.

~Add in 4 cups granulated sugar, 3 tablespoons corn syrup, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.

~Continuously stir until the chocolate mixture is boiling.

~Reduce the heat and continue to cook, without stirring, until chocolate mixture reaches 230 degrees on a candy thermometer.

~Stir in 1 cup chopped walnuts.

~Remove from heat.

~Add 3 tablespoons butter and 2 teaspoons vanilla, but do NOT stir.

~Allow chocolate mixture to cool until it reaches 110 degrees on a candy thermometer.

~Beat the fudge with a wooden spoon until the mixture begins to lose its gloss and starts to thicken. This will take about 15 minutes.

~Pour into a greased 8x8 inch pan.

~Allow fudge to stand, cool, and set.

~Turn fudge out onto a cutting board, and cut into squares.

Marshmallows

Yes, I do make my own, marshmallows! It's a great activity to do with your kids. I allow them to put the ingredients in the pan, but not the cooking part. Once they are cooled and ready to be cut the the little ones can help again. They can help roll them in the powdered sugar.



MARSHMALLOWS

Ingredients:
*4 envelopes unflavored gelatin
*3/4 cup water
*3 cups granulated sugar
*1 1/4 cups corn syrup
*1/4 teaspoon salt
*3/4 cup water
*2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
*1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
*1/2 cup corn starch or powered sugar

Directions:
~Spray a 9x13 inch pan with cooking spray.
~Line pan with parchment paper.
~Spray parchment paper with cooking spray.

~In a medium saucepan combine 3 cups granulated sugar,  1 1/4 cups corn syrup, 1/4 salt and 3/4 cup water.
~Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved.
~Continue to cook until syrup mixture reaches 240 degrees on a candy thermometer, without stirring.
~While the syrup is cooking put 3/4 cup water into a large mixing bowl.
~Sprinkle 4 packs of the gelatin on the water, but do not mix.
~Let it sit for 5-6 minutes.
~Once syrup has reached it's desired temperature, slowly pour the hot syrup into the gelatin.
~Start out stirring very slowly until the gelatin is dissolved.
~Use a whisk attachment of your mixer and slowly bring the mixture up to high speed.
~Mix for 12-14 minutes, or until  marshmallow mixture is stiff.
~Add 2 teaspoons vanilla and beat for 2 more minutes.
~Spray cooking spray on a spatula.
~Pour marshmallow mixture into prepared pan and spread with spatula.
~Let marshmallow mixture sit for at least 4 hours uncovered.
~Stift powered sugar and corn starch together onto clean surface.
~Remove marshmallows from pan and onto powered sugar mixture.
~Using a knife or pizza cutter dipped in sugar mixture, cut marshmallows into desired size.
~Roll cut marshmallows into powdered sugar mixture until all sides are coated.
~Shake off any excess sugar and serve.

Variations:
-dip in cinnamon sugar mixture instead of powdered sugar mixture.
-dip in cocoas powder instead of powdered sugar mixtures.
-after dipping in powdered sugar mixture, dip in melted chocolate, let set until chocolate hardens.
-after dipping in powdered sugar mixture, dip in chocolate & crushed graham crackers, let set until chocolate hardens.
-after dipping in powdered sugar mixture, dip in chocolate & nuts, let sit until chocolate hardens.
-after dipping in powdered sugar mixture, dip in melted peanut butter and then melted chocolate, let sit until chocolate hardens.
-after dipping in powdered sugar mixture, dip in chocolate & then  crushed oreos, let sit until chocolate hardens.
-after dipping in powdered sugar mixture, dip in melted white chocolate & then sprinkles, let sit until chocolate hardens.