Pretzel Hugs

Here is a quick and easy snack for after school or to share with your neighbors. I had my niece and Tyler help make them and they loved it. Especially sneaking M&M's every few minutes. We used Halloween colored M&M's but any color is fun.

Pretzel Hugs

1 bag pretzels Regular or Waffle style
1 pkg. M&Ms
1 pkg. Hershey "Hugs"

Place pretzels on baking stone or sheet. Place a Hug on each pretzel and bake at 200 degrees for about 8 minutes (just watch for the Hugs to melt). Remove from oven and promptly place a couple of M&Ms on each pretzel, pressing into the melted chocolate. Allow to cool before serving. At room temperature, this takes SEVERAL hours. I would recommend making these the day before you plan on eating/delivering. Or you can put them in the refrigerator to speed up the process.

Hope you and your kids enjoy!

Banana\Zucchini Bread

I am excited to get this recipe written down somewhere other than the back of an old, greasy receipt that it is scrawled on right now. This is the best recipe for banana or zucchini bread that I have tried. We love it and make it whenever we have bananas that are getting old or if we have some zucchini needing to get eaten up. I love that the recipe is exactly the same for both bread. Enjoy!

3 eggs
1 C. oil
2 1\2 C. sugar
1 TBS. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1\4 tsp. cinnamon (I love cinnamon so I usually put in more!)
3 C. flour

3-4 bananas

or

2 C. shredded zucchini

Mix all ingredients in that order. It helps to use some sort of electric mixer if possible.

I have a large bunt pan that I make mine with, but you can also use two medium size bread pans.

Grease the sides of your pan before pouring batter into it. Bake at 325 for 60-70 minutes

Cover with foil for the first 20 minutes.

alterations:
I add about 1 1\2 C. chocolate chips and put about a tablespoon of cinnamon in it when I want to make it more of a dessert. I also sprinkle a sugar and cinnamon mixture on the greased sides of the pan.

Asian Beef and Brocolli

Sorry I don't have a pic..but this is a good recipe so I thought I would post it anyway

1lb. Petite Sirloin Steak
2pkg. Oriental ramen noodles (broken up)
1 1/2 tsp. cornstarch dissolve in 1/2 cup water
2 Tbsp. Vegetable oil
1/2lb. fresh broccoli
2 med carrots

Start off by cutting your beef into thin strips not too long you want them to be bite size. Then combine ramen seasoning with the cornstarch water mixture. Add this to your beef and stir..then set aside. Use 1T. oil to stir fry your veges for about 1 minute. Then add your noddles and 1 1/2 cup water, and bring to a boil. Simmer for 3-5 minutes then remove. Add your remaining oil, drain your beef from the mixture and brown it in the oil. Then add together with your veges and noodles.

This is served great by itself or with Fried Rice. Check back for a great Chicken Fried Rice recipe.

Ramen Chicken Salad

I got this salad recipe from my little sister and I absolutely love it! I not only enjoy eating it, but I like to make it as well. It is super easy, and I almost always have all the ingredients on hand. It is great to bring to showers or pot-lucks, but I have also enjoyed preparing it for dinner for my husband and I. Just pair it with some French bread and you have yourself a yummy, fast and fresh tasting dinner!

3 Tbs. butter
1 pkg. oriental-flavor ramen noodles *
2 Tbs. sesame Seeds (optional)
1/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. white vinegar
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 c. cut up cooked chicken
1/2 c. dry roasted peanuts
1/2 c. sliced green onions
16 oz. bag coleslaw mix

Melt butter in skillet over medium heat. Stir in seasoning from noodles. Break block of noodles into bite-size pieces over skillet; stir noodles into butter mixture. Cook two minutes, stirring constantly; stir in sesame seeds. Cook about two more minutes, stirring constantly, until noodles are golden brown.

Mix sugar, vinegar, oil and pepper in large bowl (large enough for the rest of the ingredients). Add noodle mixture, chicken and coleslaw mix, and toss well.

*I have yet to find oriental flavor ramen noodles at my grocery store, so I always substitute with chicken flavor and it turns out just as yummy tasting!