I’m all about dinners that are simple and quick, because when you’re as busy as we are with schedules all over the map, that’s what ya need.
Hunting for actual easy dinner ideas has come to be a bit of a task. Some people think easy means 18 super obscure ingredients that I definitely don’t have, let alone even find at the grocery store.
All of these recipes I have actually tried myself and have made over and over because they’re simple yet oh so yummy. Shout out to the bloggers who came up with these recipes because you’ve been my saving grace.
They’re a step up from the boxed mac and cheese and Mr. Noodles I lived off of for awhile, so I give koodos to myself for actually trying to be an adult.
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One of my absolute favourite things to buy is home stuff – decor, kitchen items, furniture – all of it.
I was definitely having a heyday stocking up on items before I moved out of my mom’s house and into my own place. Obviously there’s a few things you can’t really DIY, for example, an ice cream scoop, a pizza cutter – you get the picture.
When it comes to decor though, that’s when you can put it into your own hands.
But let’s be real – home decor items can be mighty expensive. And when you’re a broke student like me, that’s not where my money should be going (although it’s where I want it to go).
I’ve been teaching myself to be a little craftier, first starting off with some home organization hacks. But now it’s time to take the trip to Home Depot and break out the tools and glue gun.
I don’t know about you, but I can’t go to any sports game, festival or theme park without forking over the 5+ bucks for a delicious soft pretzel. Sad thing is, I’m not at those places very often.
Solution!
I give you NO YEAST Homemade Soft Pretzels.
I absolutely adore these. They don’t come with the grease you get with the commercial ones, they’re super simple, AND they don’t require any yeast. Bonus, right!?
First you gotta throw the first six ingredients in a bowl and mix them all up (DO NOT put the egg in the dough!!) After you have your dough all ready, plop it on the counter. divide it in two and give it a good knead.
Then comes the frustrating part. Letting it sit under your bowl for fifteen minutes. UGGGGH, I hate recipes that make you leave your dough to rest. But! It’s for the best. So we let it sit. This is when I’ll get my pans ready, decide what toppings I want, maybe catch a couple minutes of Friends (my latest obsession).
Yay! Time’s up and we can start making stuff! Time to divide each ball into four pieces. (I doubled my recipe here, so your balls may be smaller than these ones appear to be).
Then you gotta roolllll your balls out into long snake like ropes. I recommend not putting too much flour on your dough, as I find that if the dough sticks to the counter a little bit, it’s easier to roll. Anywho, roll that bad boy out until it’s around a foot, maybe just over a foot long.
Then comes the tricky part! The ol’ pretzel shape. Basically you grab both ends, twist them around each other, then fold them back down over the loop! Easy explanation right!? Hah. Just google a picture of a pretzel and you’ll figure it out.
Next, you plop those wonky pretzel shapes on your pan, give them a good egg wash bath, sprinkle on your favourite toppings (mine is salt, maybe cinnamon sugar sometimes), and pop them in the oven for about ten minutes!
And bam! There ya have it. Yummy homemade pretzels that don’t break the bank, or leave you feeling greasy and gross.
Homemade Soft Pretzels
The perfect soft pretzel recipe to fulfill that carb craving, without all the greasiness!
Stir together the flour, milk, vegetable oil, baking powder, sugar and salt to make a soft dough.
Sprinkle 2 tbsp of flour on the counter. Divide dough into two balls. Knead it.
Put bowl upside down over balls for 15 minutes.
Divide each ball into four balls, resulting in eight total balls. Roll each ball into a long rope, about a foot in length and form into pretzel shape.
Spray cookie sheet and place pretzels on pan.
Beat egg and brush over pretzels. Sprinkle on your desired topping.
Place in the oven for 9-11 minutes, or until slightly golden brown.
Let cool, then dig in!
Notes
You can also create pretzel bites for dipping if you'd prefer. Instead of forming the rope into the pretzel shape, leave the rope straight and cut into eight pieces. Place on the pan, egg wash and sprinkle with salt, and cook for about 8 minutes. Yum!
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