Zesty Ranch Pretzel Sticks

This recipe is the perfect solution for a last minute party (or anytime) snack!

The holiday season will quickly be approaching (I’ve seen Christmas shopping commercials on T.V. since early October!) and that means it’s time for holiday parties, both at home and in the classroom. When you’re in need of a last minute party treat, don’t settle for a bag of store bought chips! These ranch pretzels literally took me 15 minutes from start to finish, and they are so addicting. They also taste just like Cool Ranch Doritos, which are my favorite, but they are slightly healthier!

 

You will need:

¾ c. light olive oil

1 packet Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix

 ½ bag of pretzels

(Side note: Double the olive oil and use two ranch dressing mixes if you would like to use the whole bag of pretzels.)

To do:

Preheat oven to 300˚ and line a baking sheet, preferably with sides (so the ranch oil doesn’t drip everywhere), with parchment paper. You can also use a 9” x 13” pan if you don’t have a baking sheet with sides. Lay out pretzels on the baking sheet, making sure they are all flat and in one layer.

Measure out olive oil in a measuring glass and mix the ranch packet right into the cup (to save a dish or two). Pour the mixture over the pretzels and stir so that all sticks are evenly covered.

Bake at 300˚ for 10 minutes, stir once or twice to ensure even coverage.

Let cool slightly before serving. (They are actually really good if served hot or warm… just don’t burn your tongue!)

Stuffed French Toast

Breakfast may be my favorite meal of the day. Omelets, bacon, and cereal are just a few of my early (more like not-so-early…) morning preferences. My two favorite dishes, however, are stuffed French crepes and French toast. I love the sour cream/cream cheese stuffing in the crepes, but the buttery cinnamon coating of French toast is tasty, too. What could be better than putting these two together and making stuffed French toast?!

Try adding fresh fruit as a topping, or even to the filling!

What You Need:

4 slices of Wheat Bread (or French Bread for a more traditional French Toast taste)

2 eggs

½ tsp cinnamon

For the stuffing:

3 Tbsp Fat Free Plain Cream Cheese

2 tsp powdered sugar

½ tsp cinnamon

What To Do:

In a small bowl, combine cream cheese, powdered sugar and cinnamon until creamy and smooth.

In another bowl, whisk together eggs and cinnamon.

Put a heaping tablespoon of cream cheese mixture on one piece of bread. Place the other slice on top.

Dunk the sandwich in the egg mixture, and place on a greased griddle or pan. (I used a Cuisinart Sandwhich Grill.)

Cook until golden brown. Flip if needed.

Served topped with powdered sugar.