Can't Resist Rolls (The BEST Crescent Rolls You'll Ever Eat!)

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I'm scared of yeast. I admit that I have a total bread-phobia. Baking bread scares me.I remember when I first got married, my mother-in-law bought me a bread maker. The first time I used it, the bread was as flat as a pancake and hard as a rock! I was mortified. I mean, who screws up bread FROM A BREAD MAKER?! I DO!!
Anyway, my sister Nicole is a great cook and she makes big yummy dinners for whatever holiday I'm in town for. She makes these awesome rolls. I devour them every. single. holiday. But three years ago, I found myself staying in California for Thanksgiving and I was SO bummed that I wouldn't be partaking of Nicole's amazing crescent rolls. So I did what any craving pregnant woman would do and busted out the cookbook she had given me that her church had put together. Lo and behold, there was her recipe for "Can't Resist Rolls".
I'm not gonna say I wasn't scared of screwing them up, because believe me I was! I had my parents driving over from Arizona to eat Thanksgiving dinner at my house and for the first time ever I was in charge of the whole turkey dinner. I definitely wanted the dinner to be nice. After reading the directions probably ten times through just to make sure I had it all down, I attempted to make rolls for the FIRST time ever! And guess what?? They were GOOD! And pretty darn easy!
Ever since that Thanksgiving, I make these awesome rolls for almost every holiday and sometimes just because. You better believe I'm making them for Christmas Eve dinner this year! You should too! They get prettier and prettier every time I do them. Practice makes perfect! :) So all of you awkward bread people, check it out! You can totally make these! And all you bread pros, check it out - these are awesome crescent rolls to make for whenever you have a roll craving. I've included pictures of most of the steps for those bread-challenged, like myself, ha!Here's what you need:
Can't Resist (Crescent) Rolls:
Printable Recipe HERE
Yield 4 dozen rolls

Ingredients:

• 2 (1.4-oz) packages of yeast
• 1/2 c. warm water
• 1 tsp. sugar
• 2 c. milk (I use 2%)
• 1 c. oil (I use canola)
• 1 c. sugar
• 2 tsp. salt
• 8 c. all-purpose flour
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 c. butter (melted)

Directions:

1.  In a drinking glass, dissolve yeast in warm (but not hot) water with 1 tsp. sugar. In a microwavable large mixing bowl (I used my big Pampered Chef one) warm milk, sugar and oil for one minute. Add salt.


2.  Add 2 cups flour and mix with mixer. Add eggs and beat. Stir in yeast mixture. Add three cups flour, beat again. Add last 3 cups flour and mix with a spoon.


3.  Cover and let rise 2-3 hours, until size doubles...


4.  Once doubled, separate dough into 4 equal balls.


5.  Roll out each ball individually into a 1/4" thick circle.


6.  Brush with melted butter...


7.  Add cut like a pizza into 12 pieces.


8.  Roll into crescents...


 ...just like this...

9.  And place on buttered cookie sheets - 2 dozen per sheet.


10.  Once all dough is rolled out, cover with a dish towel and let rise for another hour.


See? All big and fluffy!

11. Now bake 'em for 8-10 minutes at 375 degrees F. If you don't want to make 4 dozen dinner rolls, make 2 dozen and use the rest of the dough to make cinnamon rolls, orange rolls, etc.

Seriously, these rolls are amazing. Give them a try and let me know what you think!


If you're looking for more side dish ideas, check these out:Brown Sugar Glazed CarrotsHomemade Soft PretzelsMom's Sunday Fruit SaladCreamy Yogurt Fruit DipSO Good Mandarin Orange Salad
Click HERE to print this recipe. If you liked this recipe, PIN it! It would be wonderful if you followed me (via GFC) on the right hand side, click on "Join This Site"--> I'm also on PINTEREST and FACEBOOK too! Thanks!
LINKING THIS RECIPE TO THESE FUN PARTIES:Wednesday Extravaganza, Cast Party Wednesday, Full Plate Thursday, Weekend Wrap-Up Party, Foodie Friends Friday, Strut Your Stuff Saturday,

Hello 2013!

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Well, I hope you all had a wonderful time out celebrating and partying like it was 1999.  I spent my evening playing trains with a sicky baby, watching Superwhy and giving extra snuggles. Grayson was up till 2:30 and back up at 5, so this morning it certianly feels like I was out partying my face off.  We had plans to go to a wonderful party at my friend Julie's house, but hearing that his Momma had plans for like the first time ever Grayson decided to get a severe case of the sickies. Runny nose, cough, fever- oh and if that isn't enough lets add vomiting to the list. Just to make sure that Momma can't go out. Atta boy. He's lucky he's cute that one.   But seriously, knowing he wasn't feeling good there is no way on Earth I would want to be anywhere else than snuggled next to him.  Until he yaked on me. Then I wouldn't have minded being a little further away. But in the spirit of fairness about an hour later he did even the score and toss his cookies on Daddy. That part at least made me smile.  When the ball drops at midnight its time for new beginnings, a time for growth and a time for change. I have my list of resolutions- things I want to accomplish and do this year.  I was always told to write down goals because it makes them more tangible and easier to accomplish. Well if writing them down makes it easier, releasing it to the Internet gods should make sure that I guilt myself into keeping them. So here goes. 1. Cook at home at least 5 nights per week. For the sake of clarifying eating at other peoples houses counts, so break out those invites people!  2. ORGANIZE THIS HOUSE. De-clutter, streamline, and donate to charity all of the crap we don't want/need/use. Then keep it clean.  3. Run a 5K. I did the couch to 5 K program but never really ran. Id like to actually prove that I did it. 4. Be a better Mom.  Not that I'm a bad one now, but I think I can always be better. Show more patience, more tolerance, more understanding. Spend more quality time with my little guy. 5. Travel somewhere this summer with my husband and son that isn't to visit family.  6. Exercise regularly- at least twice a week.  7. Redo another room in the house. Be it the playroom (you know, the room that used to be my dining room?), the main bath, the guest room or add a second bath. I'm not picky, but I want to get at least one completely done.  8. Blog more regularly.   So those are my goals. I'm going to accomplish them, because I'm far too proud to proclaim it then fail...that would just be embarrassing. Let me know your resolutions, Ill be more than happy to guilt you into keeping your promises to yourself as long as you do the same for me!  Happy New Year, Lovelies!! Last picture of 2012! 

Christmas Gifts a 1 year old LOVES

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Each month I always shared a list of must haves, things that Grayson really enjoyed that month. I did it so when I have baby #2, or when someone else has a baby, I can look back and get ideas for gifts and needs at each stage. I decided that I would share the gifts that he really seemed to enjoy this year for Christmas for the same reasons- and if these lists can help any of you lovelies out, then all the better! Imaginarium Train Set with Table - 55-Piece I picked this train table up for $40 on Black Friday, and I'd say thats the best money I spent this year for Christmas. Its not too big, only 4 square feet and its only about 1.5 feet off the ground so the size is PERFECT for Grayson Boy. He can reach to the center and really play with all of the pieces. I read alot of reviews and everyone suggested a train table, but I didn't want to bite the bullet and spend $150 on a huge one if he wouldn't like it.  This is the perfect little starter table and as he grows we can buy more pieces and then graduate to a bigger table.  Another plus? It doesn't make noise. WOO! Grayson will play with it for an hour at a time, making train noises and moving the pieces around. So hes actually getting to use his imagination and I don't need ear plugs. Its a win-win! Fisher-Price Little People Wheelies Stand 'n Play Rampway  Grayson has been playing with cars on a more frequent basis, so we thought he might enjoy this. Well, we were right. It stands about three feet tall, so its perfect to grow with him. He loves putting the cars on the ramps and then watching them go all the way down.  He can then push them all around the living room and put them on the elevators to take them back to the top. It gets about 20 minutes of solid play- and for a toddler that's pretty golden.  Playhut 6- Foot Tunnel Grayson loves crawling through tunnels at the park, so when I saw this guy on sale for $10 I figured I couldn't go wrong. It folds up really easily, and gets nice and flat so its very easy to store. Grayson has already logged many trips crawling from one side to the other.  Super Why DVDs My kid is obsessed with Super Why- if you don't remember, mosey on back and check out his first birthday party. My stepdad found these DVDs on Walmart.com and picked a few of them up.  Coupled with the in-car DVD player we can get almost ANYWHERE in peace. Each DVD has 3-4 episodes on it, so for $9 dollars its a great deal. Plus, there are alot of new episodes that kids haven't seen on TV which always holds their interest a little more.  Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Puppy My Dad picked this up for Grayson and at first I was skeptical. We already own Leap Frog's version- Scout, who can say Graysons name and be programed to remember things he likes.  However, Grayson loves this puppy.  He likes the songs he sings, and plays along whenever the puppy says "Wheres my hand/foot/ear/etc?" Its a great way to help teach body parts, something Scout doesn't do.  Tonka Chuck & Friends Classic Vehicle - Boomer the Fire Truck  Chuck has a bunch of friends. A bunch.  We gifted Grayson a few different ones for Christmas because they are the perfect size for chubby toddler hands.  Plus they are semi soft, so when he chucks it at his head it wont hurt too bad. Cant go wrong with Chuck and his friends.   Other gifts that we really liked were the play-a-sound books that make animal noises or music- he received a few of these and loves them all pretty equally. As well as an assortment of balls- something you cant go wrong with for a boy at any age.  

Cottage (Shepherd's) Pie

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A few short days ago, I told you about how my husband had come down with a severe cold. It should be with little surprise that I am now, too. With every last drop of chicken noodle soup now consumed, I had to turn to another comfort food for some relief.

















We call this dish shepherd's pie around here; however, its correct name is cottage pie. From what I understand, both dishes are basically the same with the only variation being the type of meat used in the dish. For shepherd's pie, lamb is used. For cottage pie, beef is used.

Regardless of what we call it, cottage (shepherd's) pie is hearty comfort food at its best. Serve with warm biscuits or crusty bread... A perfect meal for warming a sick, old soul on this cold and blustery April day.

Ingredients
5 medium-sized potatoes, peeled and cubed
3 Tbs. sour cream
1/4 c. milk
1/2 c. mozzarella cheese, divided
1/4 c. Parmesan cheese

1 to 1 1/2 lb. ground beef
1 pkg. brown gravy mix
1 c. water
3 Tbs. Worcestershire sauce
2 Tbs. ketchup
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped

3 carrots, diced
2 medium onions, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
1/2 green pepper, diced
1/2 c. frozen corn
1 tsp. Italian seasoning

salt and pepper
2 Tbs. butter
2 Tbs. olive oil

Directions
Preheat oven broiler.

In a medium pot, cover potatoes with cold water and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook until completely soft. Drain and mash. Add sour cream, milk, 1/4 c. mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese and salt/pepper to taste. Mix to thoroughly combine. Set aside.

In a large skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef. Drain any fat, then return to skillet. Add garlic, brown gravy mix, water, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and salt/pepper to taste. Mix well. Reduce heat to low and simmer until most of the liquid has evaporated. Spread evenly into a medium sized casserole dish. Set aside.

In the same skillet, heat butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add vegetables, Italian seasoning and salt/pepper to taste. Cook until softened, about 10 minutes. Spread evenly over meat mixture. Spread mashed potatoes evenly over vegetable layer. Top with remaining 1/4 c. mozzarella cheese. Place in broiler to brown potatoes and cheese, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving.

Changes for a New Year

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If you've followed this blog for any amount of time you know Matt and I love food. We love to cook it and eat it. Well, 7 years of enjoying food together has taken its toll on our figures, so this year we decided we needed to do something about it.

Now, we aren't going to go on a fad diet or start fasting or anything. Instead we are going to focus on the basics, counting calories and trying to get more exercise. Not glamorous at all. Counting calories can be a little tedious, we are using the free Lose It app to help. (So far, I like the app, but hate the website.)

This doesn't mean A Good Appetite is going to turn into a weight loss blog. But it does mean you will probably see calorie totals with our recipes in the future and less recipes for things like Mac & Cheese. I'm interested to see how much we eat has to change to meet our goals and what the recipes we already use come in at calorie-wise. (I was already surprised to see my Sweet Potato Curry is only 201 calories per serving, not bad for a curry.)

Our plan is to still have lots of interesting, tasty food to share with you, while we pay attention to our health at the same time. Happy New Year!

If you are not reading this post in a feed reader or at http://agoodappetite.blogspot.com OR at http://agoodappetite.com then the site you are reading is illegally publishing copyrighted material. Contact me at katbaro AT yahoo DOT COM. All recipes, text and photographs in this post are the original creations & property of the author unless otherwise noted. © 2007-2013 Kathy Lewinski

Parmesan Onion Rounds - #SundaySupper

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As we all gather this holiday season to give thanks and reflect on the year gone by, we do so with heavy hearts at the recent horrific tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut.

My deepest love and prayers go out the the families who have lost their loved ones (so many of them little children) in such a senseless act of violence that there can never be a sufficient understanding of.

To be writing a blog post about some silly appetizers hardly seems like the thing to be doing right now, and yet, it is the return to normal activities that is so important at this time.  Life surprisingly goes on, and whatever fear you feel must be squashed before it has a chance to consume your life. I return to my kitchen to find the solace I need and the comfort that keeps me safe and in control of my little corner of the world.

It is a this time that I'd like to thank our hostess for this weeks #SundaySupper, Conni of  The Foodie Army Wife for being the "hostess with the mostess" for December's cocktail and appetizer party.  Thank you ever so much Conni for opening your doors so we can all congregate in our safe kitchen havens and come together to share and celebrate all that is good in this world.

My appetizer recipe for this weeks #SundaySupper is one I've been making for years. It's quick and easy to throw together and is always a hit with party guests as it's full of flavor and tastes good, either warm out of the oven, or served at room temperature on a buffet table.


PARMESAN ONION ROUNDS - 
makes approximately 30-32 appetizers


1 1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons, fresh grated onion (with the juice)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 1/2 cups shredded Parmesan Cheese
1 load sourdough cocktail bread

-Mix together the first 8 ingredients in a medium size bowl.
-Refrigerate for at least one hour for the flavors to meld.
-Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
-On a parchment lined baking sheets, spread about 1 tablespoon of the Parmesan cheese mixture onto each cocktail bread.
-Bake for approximately 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is nicely browned and bubbly.



Serve and enjoy!


To see all the other yummy appetizer and coctail recipes involved in this weeks #SundaySupper, check out the following blogs and recipes. Your holiday party guests will certainly thank you!!!

Party Beverages

• Glühwein from Magnolia Days
• Cookies-n-Cream Cocktails from The Urban Mrs
• Cranberry Fizz from Dinners, Dishes and Desserts
• Rosemary Orange Punsch from Galactopdx
• Candy Cane Martini from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Raspberry Hot Chocolate from Momma’s Meals
• Chocolate Peppermint Eggnog from The Daily Dish Recipes
• Jamaican Sorrel from The Lovely Pantry
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate Spoons from Chocolate Moosey
• Gingerbread Hot Chocolate from Cravings of a Lunatic
• Homemade Eggnog from Flour on my Face
• Moroccan Mint Tea from MarocMama
• Cherry Bomb from Noshing with the Nolands
• Wassel from There And Back Again
• Cranberry Sparkler Mocktail from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
• Pomegranate Cosmo from Supper For A Steal
• Poinsettia Mimosas from Big Bear’s Wife
• Egg Cream for Adults from Fast Food to Fresh FoodMulled Wine: Spiked and Steamy from Daddy Knows Less
• Hot Chocolate Party from Pippi’s in the Kitchen Again
• Poinsettia Cocktails from The Catholic Foodie
• The Red Carpet Diva from Cooking Underwriter

Appetizers or Hors d’oeuvres

• Cheese Ball Wreath from The Meltaways
• Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Tarts from My Catholic Kitchen
• Prosciutto Goat Cheese Rolls with Fig Preserves and Arugula from Shockingly Delicious
• Muenster and Spinach Pinwheels from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Drunk Moose Meatballs from The Foodie Army Wife
• Smoked Salmon Blinis with Cranberry-Spiced Feta from Chattering Kitchen
• Sticky Wholegrain Mustard & Ginger Cocktail Sausages from girlichef
• Potato Leek Soup from What Smells So Good
• Firecracker Shrimp and Samosas from Crispy Bits & Burnt Ends
• Cheesy Mushroom Pull Apart Bread from Small Wallet Big Appetite
• 5 Quick & Easy Appetizers for Your Holiday Party from Webicurean
• Bacon Peanut Caramel Corn from Gotta Get Baked
• Crostini topped with Voodoo Chicken Cream Dip from Country Girl in the Village
• Mushroom Strudel from Vintage Kitchen
• Roxanne’s Shrimp & Andouille Sausage Queso Dip from The ROXX Box
• Herbed Holiday Party Mix from Curious Cuisiniere
• Old fashioned Swedish Meatballs from I Run For Wine
• Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Bites from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Saucy Asian Meatballs from Damn Delicious
• Baked Philo Appetizers from My Cute Bride
• Fried Green Beans with Wasabi Ranch from Juanita’s Cocina
• Salsa Baked Cheese from Home Cooking Memories
• Cookie Dough Dip from The Cookie-A-Day Challenge
• Parmesan Onion Rounds from Kudos Kitchen by Renee
• Lip-smacking Cranberry Cocktail Meatballs from In The Kitchen with KP
• Hot Spinach Parmesan Dip from Comfy Cuisine
• Indian Spiced Tuna Balls from Soni’s Food
• Onion marmalade with Bacon from Ruffles and Truffles
• Roasted Cranberry Beet Borsch Shooters from Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
• Sweet Potato Dip from Mama’s Blissful Bites
• Festive Cucumber & Ginger Sushi Rolls from The Ninja Baker
•  Baked Brie from Family Foodie
• Baked Jalapeno-Ranch Popper Dip from The Weekend Gourmet

Thanks again Conni for all the hard work involved with organizing this week's #SundaySupper
I've enjoyed participating more than you'll know, and I feel blessed to be a part of the #SundaySupper community!!!

Until we eat again,
Renée

Parmesan Onion Rounds - #SundaySupper

Salted Caramel Pretzel Thumbprints

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If you're a fan of all things sweet and savory, do I have a cookie for you!!!

I found this recipe in the December 2012 edition of Food Network Magazine and I immediately knew I had to make them. They did not disappoint. They're so, so, so good!

I didn't follow their directions exactly (big shocker) but I think they turned out pretty exceptional, if I do say so myself.


SALTED CARAMEL PRETZEL THUMBPRINTS
makes 24 nice sized cookies

1 1/2 cups broken pretzel sticks
2 sticks butter, at room temperature (I use salted)
2/3 cup sugar
2 large egg yolks
2 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups all purpose flour
1 can dulce de leche
extra salt for sprinkling (I used kosher)

-Add the pretzel sticks into a zip lock bag and crush into coarse crumbs. Set aside.
-Preheat your oven to 350 degrees
-In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until fluffy.
-Mix in the egg yolks, honey and vanilla.
-Blend until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl to thoroughly incorporate.
-On low speed, blend in the flour and salt until you have a semi-firm dough that you can roll into balls the size of walnuts
-Place the crushed pretzels in a small bowl and once you've rolled the cookie dough into balls, roll the cookie balls into the crushed pretzels (you may need to gently press the pretzels into the dough to get them to stick).
-Place the pretzel cookie balls evenly on a parchment lined baking sheet (12 per sheet) leaving a few inches between each ball.
-Gently press your thumb into the center of each cookie to form a small well.
-Bake the cookies for approximately 18-20 minutes, rotating the cookie sheets half way through the baking.
-Remove from the oven and, if needed, use a teaspoon to re-indent the well in the center of each cookie while they're still warm and pliable.
-Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack.
-Once fully cooled, add a dollop of dulce de leche into the center well of each cookie.
-Sprinkle lightly with salt and you're ready to serve.


These are seriously good cookies so don't save them for making just around the holidays. I think they'd be  welcomed year round by one and all!!!

Peace On Earth!
Renee

Salted Caramel Pretzel Thumbprints