soft pretzel bites

i promised more appetizers so here you go.
last week i made soft pretzel bites for a party. they were so fun, so easy, and so good! the nuggets are chewy, and salty, and perfect for dipping. i could go on and on about how great they are...you just have to try them. they would be great as an after school snack, a fun recipe to try while your babysitting, or a great appetizer to bring to a casual potluck. 

Ingredients:
1 1/2 C. warm water (for making dough)
2 t. light brown sugar
1 package active dry yeast
3 ounces unsalted butter (melted)
2 1/2 t. kosher salt
4 1/2 to 5 C. all-purpose flour
Vegetable oil
3 quarts water (for boiling dough)
3/4 C. baking soda
1 whole egg, beaten with 1 T. cold water
Coarse sea salt


Directions:
In a bowl combine water, sugar, melted butter and yeast. Mix until combined and let it sit for 5 minutes. 
Add the salt and flour and mix until combined (if using a mixer put on low speed).
Once it begins to form a ball knead until the dough is smooth (3-4 minutes). If the dough appears too wet add a T. of flour. 
Remove the dough from the bowl and place on a flat surface. Knead the dough into a ball with your hands. 


Oil a bowl with vegetable oil add the dough and turn to coat with the oil. Cover the bowl with a clean towel until the dough doubles in size (about 1 hour)


Preheat oven to 425 degrees and bring water solution to a boil.


Remove the risen dough and place on a flat surface, divide into 8 even pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope measuring about 22 inches. Cut the dough into 1 inch pieces.


Once pieces are cut, place small batches (15-20 pieces) in the boiling water solution (water + baking soda) for about 30 seconds. Remove with a large slotted spoon and place on an already sprayed cooking sheet. Make sure they are not touching. Brush the top of each piece with egg wash and season with course sea salt. 


Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until golden brown. They are best served warm.

I made a cheddar cheese sauce for dipping!

from Bobby Flay, as seen on What's Megan Making

Primanti Brother's sliders

i know it has been a couple weeks, but we are back!


for some you may identify the super bowl with over-the-top ad campaigns, for others its the highlight of football season, or it may just be about the food. the super bowl is synonymous with eating, and eating a lot! it is up there with thanksgiving as one of the only days of the year that it is acceptable to overindulge and not feel guilty.
i had a blast contributing to our super bowl party this year. i wanted to make something that incorporated pittsburgh tradition (yes, i am a steelers fan!!) so i made Primanti Brother's sliders. for those of you who don't know what that is...it is a famous deli chain that started in the Strip District of Pittsburgh. Primanti Brother's is unique for their french fries and cole slaw topped sandwiches. i know some of you may be thinking thats weird...but trust me, its awesome! its a little late to add these to your super bowl menu but save it for next year or make it for dinner when you are looking for something a little different.


Sandwich Sauce:
1 C. mayonnaise
1 T. BBQ sauce
2 T. fresh lime juice
2 T. shallots (minced)
1 t. sugar


Other Ingredients:
Dinner Rolls (sliced)
1/2 C. Pepper jack cheese
1/2 C. Cheddar Cheese
1 Lb. sliced ham
French Fries (1 tray cooked)
2 Tomatoes (sliced)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix sauce in a small bowl
Spread the mayonnaise over the bottom of the dinner roll. Layer with ham and cheese. Top with french fries and place top halves of bread back on.
Place in oven until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted, about 8 minutes.
Remove tops and garnish with cole slaw and tomatoes. Serve warm!

more fun appetizers to come...

easy homemade salsa

football sunday is always a reason to indulge in some good salsa.  this sunday we were all out of store bought salsa, so with a little help from our friend the pioneer woman and a pantry full of canned goods we whipped up a delicious and easy batch of homemade salsa!  Even with an embarrassing seahawks loss we were still satisfied with good food.

Ingredients:

1 can whole tomatoes (28 oz.) with juice

2 cans diced green chilies

¼ C. chopped onion

1 clove garlic

1 whole jalapeño seeded and diced

½ C. cilantro

1 C. frozen corn

¼ t. salt

½ t. cumin

½ t. chili powder

¼ t. sugar

The juice of 1 whole lime

Directions:

Turn the oven on broil and place the frozen corn on a baking sheet.  Bake until the top is golden brown and set aside.

Place the can of tomatoes, green chilies, chopped onion, garlic, jalapeno and cilantro in the food processor (we used a blender because that is all we had) and blend until smooth. 

If you like your salsa a little chunkier save some of the diced onion and one can of green chilies and add after you have processed the salsa

Pour the salsa into a bowl and stir in the salt, cumin, chili powder, sugar and corn.  Finish off with the limejuice and salt and pepper to taste!

Note: if you would like a spicier salsa do not take the seeds out of the jalapeño.