Baked Mozzarella Sticks

One of the earlier recipes that I saw on Pinterest was a recipe for mozzarella sticks in egg roll wrappers baked instead of fried.  I pinned it and when I was looking for an appetizer to take to Christmas I decided to try it.  Mine didn't turn out exactly like the picture but they were really good.  

In getting all my ducks in a row for this post I found that the person who uploaded the picture on the pin that I repinned basically uploaded a picture of fried mozzarella sticks and said that she would bake instead of fry them.  A little confusing, but I'm glad that she wrote that because this is really easy and even though they don't look as awesome as fried mozzarella sticks they are still great!

I'm modified the recipe to give you the best non-fried approach but if you want the fried version check out the link at the bottom of this post.

Baked Mozzarella Sticks

Egg Roll Wrappers

String Cheese

Water

Salsa

1. Lightly spray a cookie sheet with sides with cooking spray.

2. Lay out an egg roll wrapper.  Place a string cheese near a top corner point and begin rolling the wrapper up.  Halfway through fold the outer corners in and continue wrapping.  When you finish rolling moisten the edge with water and seal.

3. Continue with as many wrappers as you have and place on your cookie sheet with a little bit of space between the rolls.

4. Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 15 minutes.  Keep a watch on them to add or take away time.  You want them to get slightly brown but you also don't want all the cheese to seep out.

5.  Serve warm with salsa or marinara sauce.

Modified from Taste of Home via Pinterest

Snickers Cake

I made this cake when Jason's family was over for Christmas and it was a big hit.  I made it early in the day so didn't serve it warm but it might be better that way because it's still pretty gooey when you pull it straight from the oven!

Snickers Cake

1 German Chocolate Cake Mix

Ingredients called for on cake mix (oil, eggs, water)

1 14 oz bag of Caramel squares

1/4 cup Milk

1/3 cup Butter

1-2 cups Chocolate Chips

1 cup Pecans, chopped (optional)

1. Mix together cake mix as directed on the box.  Pour half of the batter into a greased 9x13 baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

2. While it bakes, unwrap all the caramels. Put the caramels, milk, and butter in a sauce pan and melt over low heat, stirring constantly until caramel is melted and smooth.

3. Pour the caramel on the cake as soon as it is finished baking.

4. Sprinkle the chocolate chips and pecans (if desired) on top of the caramel.  Spread the remaining half of the prepared cake mix batter on top.

5. Bake for 20 more minutes at 350 degrees.

From Six Sisters Stuff via Pinterest

Chicken Fried Rice

You would think that something with "fried" in the name of it wouldn't be healthy but this recipe surprisingly is supposed to be.  It is also very tasty and satisfied my ethnic tooth on the cheap.  PLUS I knew exactly what was in it which made me feel better about eating it.  It was also easier to make since I learned that you can scramble eggs in the microwave!  Stir with a fork and then microwave for 45 seconds to a minute for every egg.  Worked great and a tasted perfect! We'll be making this fried rice frequently!

Chicken Fried Rice

2 cups cooked rice (I used brown rice)

3-4 cups Veggies (I used frozen green peas because I had them on hand)

1 1/2 cups cooked chicken 

2 eggs, scrambled

1 tablespoon Sesame Oil

3 tablespoons reduced sodium Soy Sauce

1 teaspoon minced Garlic

1 tablespoon Rice Wine Vinegar

1. Add sesame oil to a wok or frying pan over high heat.

2. In a small bowl mix together soy sauce, garlic and vinegar.

3. Drop a single piece of rice in the oil, if it sizzles the wok is ready.

4. Add rice, chicken, and any thick veggies that you're using.  Stir a couple of times and then add the soy sauce mixture.  Stir frequently for about 3 minutes.

5. Add in any remaining veggies and eggs.  Stir for 2 more minutes.

6. Serve immediately.

From The Joy of Clean Eating via Pinterest

Rudolph Cookies

My last blatant Christmas cooking post!  We made these cookies right before Christmas to leave for Santa.  Charlotte loved them and Santa did too!  I messed up a little bit and didn't stick the pretzels in the cookies before cooking so the antlers kept falling off but if you did that they'd be perfect!

Rudolph Cookies

1 tube refrigerated Sugar Cookie Dough

Pretzel Twists

Mini Chocolate Chips

Red M&M's

1. Freeze cookie dough for 15 minutes.

2. Roll dough out and use a cookie cutter to cut circles.

3. Pinch circles in about 2/3 of the way down to make the indentation for Rudolph's face.

4. Break the rounded edges off of the pretzels for antlers.

5. Stick the antlers in the top of the cookies.

6. Bake at 350 for about 15 minutes or until golden.

7. When cookies come out put the chocolate chips and m&m's on to make the face.

8. Let cool and serve!

From Southern Living via Pinterest