Chocolate Covered Pretzels

These are great to make then give to a friend as a gift or put them on a tray with cookies to fill up more space. So easy to make, but it can take a while so i suggest making these with someone while watching a good movie :)

Ingredients
1 large bag of small twisty Pretzels
1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips (or white chips)
1 large container of round sprinkles (holiday colors)
1 cookie sheet
parchment/wax paper

Directions
1) In a microwave safe bowl add 1 cup of chocolate chips, place in microwave on high for 60 seconds. Stir with a metal spoon, then place back in the microwave for 30 seconds on high, take out a stir again. Keep putting it back in for 30 seconds only and stir until it's warm and creamy.
2) On a cookie sheet, or platter (which ever you have) place a sheet of parchment or wax paper. Dip pretzel into the chocolate, let excess drip off then put the dipped pretzel over a bowl and lightly coat with the sprinkles. Place this on the wax paper.
3) Continue this process and space them out evenly. If the room is cool enough then will start to harden at room temp, but if you want to make the process a little quicker after filling up an entire sheet place it in the refrigerator for a good 5 minutes.
4) Because the dipped pretzels are on wax paper they pop right off with no mess after they are cooled.
5) Place them in a festive bowl with some nuts and popcorn, or wrap them up in a cellophane bag and tie with a red ribbon. Mix white chocolate covered pretzels and regular chocolate covered pretzels for a variety.

Christmas Cookies

My mom and I had a cookie bake-a-thon yesterday to make Christmas goodies for our co-workers. We made snowball cookies, fudge, peanut butter cookies, M&M chip cookies, chocolate covered pretzels, sugar cookies and brownies. I think they all turned out great. Here are some pictures from the day....

Pasta Salad

I love pasta salad and was tired of getting the boxed kind at the store, or getting the pre-made kind in the deli (which is usually to oily anyway). So, I finally got the chance to experiment and make up my own salad which has less oil. You could add more ingredients to your liking such as bell peppers, broccoli or mushrooms, but this is a good base.

Ingredients:
1 box tri-colored pasta
2 tbsp olive oil
3 oz can of sliced black olives
1/3 c feta cheese
3 tbsp parmesan cheese
1 tbsp Mrs. Dash
1/2 tbsp garlic powder

Directions:
1) Cook pasta according to the directions on the box. Usually about 8-9 minutes for al dente, stir often.
2) Drain pasta in strainer, then run cold water on it.
3) Place pasta in a large bowl and add all ingredients. Mix together then set in the fridge to cool even more, serve after being in the fridge for about 15 minutes.

Ideas:
Have this as a side to your sandwich instead of potato chips, or add some barbecue chicken to it.

Black Bean & Feta Wrap

This is a tasty wrap for lunch instead of having a sandwich.

Ingredients:
1 Spinach Tortilla Wrap (or Tomato)
1/2 can black beans
1/4 yellow bell pepper
1/4 red bell pepper
1 tbsp ranch dressing
3 tbsp feta cheese
1/4 c sliced olives

Directions:
1. Take 1 tbsp ranch dressing and spread over the tortilla wrap.
2. Drain the black beans and cut bell peppers into thin strips.
3. Add all the rest of the ingridents to the wrap. Fold the top and bottom over, then roll it up to eat.