Breakfast Yo! Microwave Monkey Bread

This recipe goes back to my teaching days.  It was a recipe we used in our microwave cooking lesson.  I'm not sure who first wrote it but I know its been around for a long time.

Microwave Monkey Bread

Ingredients

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

3 Tbsp butter

1 Tbsp water

1 can refrigerated biscuits

(Optional 1/3 cup chopped nuts)

Directions

1. In a glass pie plate place butter, sugar, water and cinnamon and microwave for 1 min

2. Mix until well combine

3. Cut biscuits into fourths and place in plate. Use a spatula to toss and coat the biscuits in the sugar mixture. 

4. Place a small glass bowl in the center and form a ring with the biscuit pieces around the outer edge. 

5. Microwave for 3 min and let stand 1 min. 

6. Turn out onto a serving plate and remove middle glass bowl. 

7. Enjoy!

Grapefruit Sweet Rolls

 Its Grapefruit season! I have always loved grapefruit.  My mom would cut me a half and I'd watch her, mesmerized, as she would cut around the outside and then on each side of each section.  She'd sprinkle some sugar on top and I'd dig in.  When finished I would squeeze the juice onto my spoon just like me dad always did. I look forward to it each year.  I considered myself a real adult when I could enjoy a grapefruit half without sugar :)  I was trying to come up with some recipes that celebrated the season.  This one is a take on orange rolls and its delicious.  Would be so fun for a Valentine's Day breakfast! 

1. Dissolve 1 package of active dry yeast in 1/2 cup warm water (not hot because that will kill the yeast)
2. Add 1 tbsp brown sugar and let sit 5 min (this helps feed the yeast) 
3. Scald and cool 1 cup milk - heat milk in a saucepan until you start to see steam, don’t let it boil, then remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. (This helps weaken the whey protein that can inhibit the yeast. Also, When cooled to around room temperature, it works much better in the recipe than cold milk to combine the shortening and activate the yeast) so don’t skip this step 😊
4. In a mixing bowl mix together 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup shortening and 1 egg, add to the cooled milk, mix.
5. Add that to the yeast and mix
6. add 2 cup flour and mix
7. Add another 2 cups flour and 1 tsp salt, mix
8. Knead dough for 5 min. (it will be a sticky dough)
9. Place in a greased glass bowl and allow to rise to double (about an hour)
10. Turn out dough on a well floured surface and roll out into a rectangle 
11. Cover dough with butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. Carefully roll dough up (long side of the rectangle) then slice about 2 inch thick (about 12-15 rolls)
12. Place rolls in a greased baking dish an allow to rise (double in size) 
13. Bake at 375 for about 15-20mins.

14. While the buns are still hot pour the glaze over.  It will soak in and be so delicious. 

Grapefruit Glaze

In a bowl mix 1/2 cup grapefruit juice and 2 cups powdered sugar

I added a little pink and orange food coloring to make it more festive and grapefruity

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Egg Nog Taste Testing Challenge

 Try it yourself and share your favorite ;0) 

Lettuce Eat Salad: 4 Easy Vinaigrettes

(Creamy Vinaigrette) 

Easy Vinaigrettes

Forget the added ingredients and preservatives of store bought vinaigrettes.  These simple dressings taste amazing and are so easy to make. 

Red Wine Vinaigrette   

        1 Tbsp honey

        1 Tbsp red wine vinegar

        2 Tbsp oil

        Salt and pepper

White Vinaigrette

1 Tbsp Honey

        1 Tbsp white vinegar

        2 Tbsp oil

        Salt and pepper

Creamy Vinaigrette

        1 Tbsp honey

        1 tsp sugar

        1 Tbsp white vinegar

        2 Tbsp Mayo

        Salt and pepper 

        (Mix until smooth)

Fruit Vinaigrette 

2 Tbsp fruit jam (strawberry, peach, raspberry, etc)

3 Tbsp oil 

2 Tbsp vinegar

Salt and pepper to taste 

(Mix until smooth)

I ham what I ham -Sandwiches

Yummy Ham Rolls

1. Preheat oven to 350 degree

2. Melt 1/2 stick (1/4 cup) butter and add 1/2 Tbsp mustard, 1/2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1/4 tsp onion powder and 1/2 Tbsp poppy seeds

3. Place sandwich rolls on a baking sheet and layer ham and cheddar cheese

4. Brush some of the butter mixture on the top of each roll and place on the ham and cheese

5. Brush the remaining butter mixture over the tops of each sandwich

6. Cover in foil and bake for 15 min

7. Remove more and bake for another 10 min

Serve immediately

Ham Salad Sandwich 

1. dice ham into cubes and pulse in a food processor until finely minced

2. Add 1/4 cup miracle whip and mix

3. Serve between 2 slices of bread

Finger lickin' Chicken - Fried Chicken with German Cole Slaw

Fried Chicken

1. Thaw chicken breasts, butterfly and cut into smaller pieces

2.  Flour chicken pieces in ½ cup flour mixed with ½ Tbsp seasoned salt

3. Dip pieces in milk then back in the flour

4. Place the pieces in a frying pan with ¼ in oil heated to medium heat

5. Leave pieces undisturbed for several min.

6. Turn pieces when bottom edges turn golden brown

7. Fry on the other side for same amount of time

8. Remove chicken pieces and place on a paper towel to absorb extra oil

Gravy

1. Add 1 tablespoon flour to the oil in the pan and stir to make a rue
2. Add 2 ½ cups milk and whisk
3. When bubbles occur add salt, pepper and chicken bullion crumbles to taste
4. Allow to boil until desired thickness is reached

German Cole Slaw

1. Shred ½ head of cabbage
2. Mix together in a lidded container ¼ tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper, 6 Tbsp white vinegar, ¼ cup oil.
3. Pour dressing over slaw and toss
4. Chill slaw for several hours before serving