Pretzels

Ingredients:
- active dry yeast 2tsp
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 2 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 2 cups hot water
- 2 tbsp butter (I used plain butter and herbed butter)
- salt to sprinkle on top of the pretzels

Directions:
1. Sprinkle the yeast in the warm water and add 1/2 tsp sugar. Let stand for 10 minutes or till it froths up.
2. In a bowl combine 2 1/2 cup all purpose flour, 1/4 cup sugar, and 3/4 tsp salt. Add the yeast mixture to the bowl and knead well.  I used my kitchen aid stand mixer to combine the ingredients. I had to add a little more water then called for.
3. Transfer the dough to a well oiled bowl and let rise for about an hour.
4. Preheat the oven to 400F. Divide the dough into 8 pieces.
5. Take each piece of dough and roll into a rope and twist into a pretzel shape.
6. Dissolve the baking soda in hot water. Dip the pretzels into the solution and place on a well greased tray. 
7. Bake for 10minutes. Then brush the pretzels with butter and sprinkle with salt.

French Toast

For the bread I used a cinnamon swirl bread that I bought from the grocery store. You could use any type of bread. I think a cranberry or blueberry bread would be delicious!

Since I was only making two pieces I just threw together the ingredients without measuring anything. I actually very rarely measure anything. In a small bowl I poured about a cup of skim milk, 1tbsp vanilla, 1 tbsp cinnamon, pinch of salt and egg substitute.

I then cooked the french toast in a stir-fry pan in a little bit of butter. I topped it with powdered sugar and maple syrup.



Homemade Spaghetti & Meatballs

Ingredients:
 - 1/2 lb lean ground beef
 - 1/2 lb extra lean ground turkey
 - 1/2 tsp sea salt
 - 1 small onion, diced
 - 1 1/2 tsp garlic
 - 1 1/2 tsp italian seasoning
 - 3/4 tsp dried oregano
 - 3/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
 - 1 dash hot pepper sauce
 - 1/3 cup milk
 - 1 1/2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
 - 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
 - 1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
 - 3 tbsp pesto
 - spaghetti noodles(I use whole wheat)
 - large can of spaghetti sauce
 - 1 small can of tomato sauce

Directions:
1. Combine all of the ingredients together in a bowl. Mix until evenly blended, then form into 1 1/2-inch meatballs.
2. Begin bowling some water for the pasta. Cook the pasta as the box instructs.
3. Pour just enough olive oil or vegetable oil in a pan to cover the bottom. Heat the oil and place the meatballs in the pan to beging browning.
4. While the meatballs are browning on one side, dump a jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce into a pan on low heat. I like add extra italian seasoning and garlic. Make sure to put a lid over the sauce as it may splatter a little.
5. Turn the meatballs over to make sure the other side browns. Once most of the meatballs have browned place them into the sauce along with a small can of tomato sauce.
6. Let the meatballs continue cooking for another 15minutes. ENJOY!