Recipe #18: BUTTERY BREADSTICKS

Remember how the other day you saw this delicious plate of Pepper Steak, green salad, and a yummy little bread stick? Well, you didn't think I would deny you the opportunity to know just how I made that little morsel, did you? Nope. I'm a bit nicer than that! 

BUTTERY BREADSTICKS 

From: World Wide Ward Cook Book 

Ok, now we are back to the fact that I DO NOT like bread. Weird I know. I mean, french bread, that crazy perfect bread at Zuppa's, all good, but they are the exception to my rule. My rule of bread is bad. No worries, my hubby and kids got to be the judges of this recipe and they give it a mighty thumbs up! They loved them, compared them to crazy bread, and devoured almost all of them! 

As for my judging of this recipe....they are super easy to make! SUPER EASY! I will totally make them again, often. 

INGREDIENTS: 

• 1 T. yeast
• 1 1/2 c. Warm Water
• 2 T. sugar
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 3 c. flour
• 1/2 c. butter (I used a dairy free margarine)

DIRECTIONS: 

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Dissolve yeast in warm water and sugar. Let it stand until foamy. 
• Place salt and flour in a mixer. Mix well. 
• Add yeast mixture to the flour and mix well. 
• Knead until smooth and elastic. Add a bit more flour, only if needed. 
• Let dough rise for 10 min. 
• Melt butter and pour into a baking sheet. 
• Roll out dough into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. 
• Cut into 1 x 4 inch strip using a pizza cutter. 
• Roll each piece in butter covering all sides. (It will be totally soaked and seem like too much. It absorbs during cooking so much! Don't skimp)
• Arrange in the baking sheet. Sprinkle with garlic salt or Parmesan cheese. 
• Let rise 15-20 min. 
• Bake for 15-18 min. 
• Makes 12 bread sticks. 

DAY 1: Almond Chicken Stir Fry & Dairy Free, Sugar Free Fresh Pineapple Shake

ON THE MENU: 

• Almond Chicken Stir-Fry over Brown Rice
• Perfection Rolls
• Garden Salad
• Dessert: Fresh Pineapple Shake (Dairy Free-DF, Sugar Free-SF)

Here is the low down.....

ALMOND CHICKEN STIR FRY over Brown Rice

From "VitaMix Whole Foods Recipes For Better Living" 

OUR RATING: LOVE IT!!

This was seriously YUM! We are off to a good start with this one! This is SUCH a great stir fry! The almonds, the sauce, the red peppers, they all make this so fabulous! And it was super fast and easy to make! Huge hit and a definite for the family cookbook! 

• Spray or heat a little olive oil in a large pan or wok. 
• Stir fry 2 c. diced chicken breast until thoroughly cooked. (Skip the chicken for a vegetarian option. You can add tofu instead, if you would like.)
• Add 1 c. chopped broccoli and stir fry for approx. 3 min. 

• While chicken & broccoli are cooking prepare and dump in a large bowl:

*1 Garlic Clove, Minced

*1 C. Carrots, Grated

*1 C. Celery, Chopped

*1 C. Red Bell Pepper, Chopped

*1 C. Green Bell Pepper, Chopped

*1 C. Green Onions, Chopped

*1 C. Mushrooms, Sliced (Optional)

*1 C. Sliced Almonds

• Add all items in large bowl to the chicken and broccoli. Add a little more oil or spray, if needed. Cook until Crisp-Tender. 

• Mix in blender: 

*1/4 C. Lite or Regular Soy Sauce

*1 1/2 C. Water

*2 Tbs. Cornstarch

* 1 T Cooking Sherry (water may be substituted)

*1 tsp. Stevia (or other natural sweetener)

*1 tsp. Chicken bouillon

*Red Pepper, to taste

• When Veggies are Crisp - Tender, Pour sauce over stir-fry.

• Cook until thickened. Serve over steamed brown rice. 

BEST. STIR-FRY. EVER! 

PERFECTION ROLLS

From "World Wide Ward Cook Book Mom's Best Recipes"

OUR RATING: 3 out of 5

Don't take my word for it. I do NOT like most breads. Oh the yeast! It almost kills me! The smell, the taste! Oh my! My hubby said these were great and I don't really feel like the rating is all that fair since this was my first roll baking experience EVER! Not to mention, I made them with heavy duty whole grain wheat, instead of the flour it calls for. I will try the again with flour and see if they get a higher rating. I will keep you posted on this one! 

Ingredients: 

*2 Pkgs Dry Yeast

*1/4 c. Lukewarm Water

*1 c. 70% Shortening (this is the lower fat version)

*1 c. Sugar

*2 Eggs

*2 tsp. Salt

*1 C. Boiling Water

*1 C. Cold Water

*6 1/2 - 7 C. Flour

Directions:

Dissolve yeast in lukewarm water. Set aside. Using electric mixer, cream shortening and sugar. Add eggs, salt, and boiling water. Add cold water and yeast mixture. Sift in half of the flour and mix with mixer. Add rest of the flour and mix by hand. Place dough in greased bowl. Brush top of dough with shortening. Cover and let rise 2 -3 hours or until doubled in size. If you live in a dry and arid climate, cover the dough with a warm, moist cloth with the bread rises; in more humid climates, use a dry cloth. For rolls, place in greased pan, and cover. Let rise for 1 hour. Place pan of rolls in cold oven. Back at 400 for 25 min. Makes 9-12 Servings.  

 FRESH PINEAPPLE SHAKE

From "VitaMix Whole Food Recipes For Better Living"

OUR RATING: LIKE IT

The lower rating is because this was supposed to be ice cream! :) It just didn't want to set up like the recipe said. That being said, we loved it as a shake. It was fresh and light instead of heavy and over sweet. We will have this again! 

INGREDIENTS: 

*4 C. Frozen Liquid Lite Non-Dairy Creamer (pour into ice cube trays and freeze ahead of time)

*1 Fresh Pineapple. Remove skin and core. Cut in large chunks. 

*1/2 tsp. Vanilla

*Stevia (or other natural sweetner), to taste. 

DIRECTION: 

In a heavy duty blender place all ingredients in the container, in the order above. Blend until the sound of the motor changes and 4 mounds form, or until blended thoroughly. You may have to stop the machine and press the ingredients down, if you are not using a VitaMix or other heavy duty blender. If the mixture is thick, you can eat it as an ice cream, or add liquid creamer or coconut milk to thin out a bit. 

TOMORROWS MENU: 

*Sweet & Saucy Meatballs

*Mashed Potatoes

*Green Salad

*Dessert: Strawberry Ice Cream (DF,SF)