Cook Fast, Eat Well

Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Recipe⁣ ⁣ ½ cup granulated sugar (about 3 1/2 ounces; 100 grams)⁣ 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon⁣ 5 cups small pretzel twists or sticks⁣ ¼ cup butter, melted (2 ounces; 56 grams)⁣ ⁣ Preheat oven to 350° F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.⁣ ⁣ Stir together the granulated sugar and cinnamon.⁣ ⁣ Place the pretzels in a large bowl. Add melted butter. Stir until the butter coats the pretzels and there’s no butter in the bottom of the bowl. Add the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Stir gently to coat the pretzels.⁣ ⁣ Spread pretzels onto a baking sheet. Bake until the sugar bubbles and pretzels are brown, about 10 minutes.⁣ ⁣ Remove the pan from the oven and let pretzels cool on the pan. Once the pretzels are cool, break apart.⁣ ⁣ Store pretzels in an airtight container for up to one week.⁣ #EasyRecipe #homemadefood #dessert

Bite-Size Christmas Cracker Candy ⁣ This is your annual reminder to make this recipe! ⁣ ⁣ For the Candy⁣ 1 cup butter (8 ounces; 226 grams)⁣ 1 cup light brown sugar (7 ½ ounces; 212 grams)⁣ 1 (9 ounce) bag large oyster crackers, see note⁣ 1 (6 ounce) can lightly salted almonds, chopped⁣ ⁣ For the Topping⁣ 3 tablespoons granulated sugar⁣ 1 teaspoon cinnamon⁣ 1 cup chocolate chips (about 6 ounces; 170 grams)⁣ ⁣ Note: Premium Oyster crackers work best. ⁣ ⁣ Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a large (18×13-inch) baking sheet with parchment paper or greased foil.⁣ ⁣ In a medium heavy bottom saucepan, combine the butter and brown sugar. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. When it reaches a boil, cook for two minutes. Use a timer for this step. You don’t want the syrup to burn.⁣ ⁣ Carefully remove the pan from the heat. Stir the oyster crackers and chopped almonds together with the syrup. You can do this in the pan if it’s large enough or in a large heat-proof bowl.⁣ ⁣ Spread the mixture evenly onto the prepared baking sheet.⁣ ⁣ Bake for eight minutes. The syrup should bubble gently.⁣ ⁣ While the candy bakes, stir together the granulated sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.⁣ ⁣ Remove the pan from the oven. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar and chocolate chips evenly over the crackers. Let sit for about three minutes or until the chocolate chips soften. Stir gently to coat the crackers with the melted chocolate chips.⁣ ⁣ If the chocolate chips didn’t soften, place the pan back into the warm oven for a few minutes.⁣ ⁣ Let the candy cool. Transfer to a container with a lid and store for up to one week.⁣ #EasyRecipe #christmascandy #homemadefood #dessert

Homemade Chewy Granola Bar Recipe⁣ The key to this recipe is melting the marshmallows over low heat. If the marshmallows get too hot, the bars will be crispy when they set up. ⁣ ⁣ 4 tablespoons butter (2 ounces; 56 grams)⁣ ¼ cup packed dark brown sugar (1 ¾ ounces; 50 grams)⁣ 3 cups mini marshmallows (5 ½ ounces; 155 grams)⁣ 2 cups quick-cook oats (6 ½ ounces; 185 grams)⁣ 2 cups crispy rice cereal (2 ounces; 56 grams)⁣ ½ teaspoon salt, optional⁣ ¼ cup chocolate chips, plus additional for topping (1 ¼ ounces; 42 grams)⁣ ⁣ ⁣ Line an 8×8-x2-inch pan with parchment paper. Grease lightly with nonstick cooking spray.⁣ ⁣ Melt butter in a large pan over low heat. Add brown sugar. Stir, breaking up any clumps. ⁣ ⁣ Add marshmallows. Cook, stirring constantly, until marshmallows are melted and creamy.⁣ ⁣ Remove the pan from the heat. Add the oats, cereal, and salt. Stir to combine. Quickly stir in the chocolate chips.⁣ ⁣ Press the mixture into the prepared pan. Sprinkle a few extra chocolate chips on top of the pan. Press them down gently so they stick.⁣ ⁣ Let cool for about two hours. Cut into 16 bars.⁣ Store bars in a container with a lid for up to five days.⁣ #granola #ricecrispytreats #EasyRecipe

Easy Black Bean Soup Recipe⁣ This simple black bean soup recipe uses canned black beans–making for a quick prep since you don’t need to soak the beans. ⁣ ⁣ By the way, this recipe makes a large pot of soup. So you’ll probably have leftovers, unless you’re feeding a crowd. ⁣ ⁣ Full printable recipe is on the blog!⁣ ⁣ 1 tablespoon olive oil⁣ 3 medium carrots, peeled and diced (about 1 ½ cups diced)⁣ 2 stalks celery, diced (about 1 cup diced)⁣ 1 medium onion, diced (about 1 cup diced)⁣ 3 cloves garlic, minced or put through a garlic press (about 1 tablespoon)⁣ 2 teaspoons chili powder⁣ 1 teaspoon cumin⁣ ½ teaspoon salt⁣ 3 (15 ounce) cans no-salt added black beans, rinsed⁣ 1 (7 ounce) or 2 (4 ounce) cans diced green chiles, mild, medium, or hot⁣ 6 cups water or chicken broth, plus more as needed⁣ 2 teaspoons chicken base⁣ #soup #soupseason #homemadefood #EasyRecipe

Spinach Puff Pastry⁣ These easy pastries taste like spinach dip baked in puff pastry. To make them, prepare a simple spinach and cream cheese filling. Then wrap it in pre-made puff pastry dough. It bakes up flaky and light.⁣ ⁣ For the pastry⁣ 8 ounces cream cheese, softened⁣ ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese⁣ 2 teaspoons onion powder⁣ 1 teaspoon garlic powder⁣ ½ teaspoon black pepper⁣ 1 large egg⁣ 2 teaspoons soy sauce⁣ 1 (10 ounce) package frozen spinach, thawed, cooled, and drained, see note.⁣ 1 tablespoon flour for dusting counter⁣ 2 sheets thawed puff pastry (one 17.3 ounce box)⁣ For the Topping.⁣ 1 large egg⁣ 3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese⁣ ⁣ Preheat oven to 400℉. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.⁣ ⁣ Combine the cream cheese, parmesan cheese, onion powder, garlic power, and black pepper in a medium mixing bowl. Mix until smooth.⁣ ⁣ Add the egg and soy sauce. Mix until creamy and light. Stir in the thawed and drained spinach.⁣ ⁣ Roll out each thawed puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured counter to about a 12”x10”. Cut each sheet into 9 pieces.⁣ ⁣ Turn the pastry so it looks like a diamond. ⁣ ⁣ Spoon the filling down the center in the middle of the pastry from top to bottom. Leaving about a half-inch on each side.⁣ ⁣ Lightly brush the whisked egg on the right corner of the pastry.⁣ ⁣ Transfer the pastry to the prepared baking sheet. Place 9 pastries on each sheet.⁣ ⁣ Brush each pastry lightly with the remaining whisked egg. Sprinkle with a little grated parmesan.⁣ ⁣ Bake until golden brown, about 18 minutes.⁣ Let cool for at least 10 minutes before serving. Store leftover pastries in the refrigerator for up to four days.⁣ ⁣ Frozen Spinach⁣ Before using, thaw and drain the spinach. To do this, place the thawed spinach in a colander and press out the liquid with a silicone spatula. The spinach should feel almost dry to the touch. Let the spinach cool before making the filling. ⁣ #spinach #puffpastry #EasyRecipe #spinachdip