ROLO PRETZEL PECAN TURTLES (a 1 banana difficulty level)

These little Rolo Turtles embody the mantra "that 'anymonkeycan' easily make great tasting food."  They are so good and easy to make that I don't make them because I eat WAY too many of them!  There is just something about the combo of the Pecan, the chocolatey caramel goodness of the Rolo, & the crispy saltiness of the pretzel. 

Special thanks to our sous-chef today who wishes to remain anonymous because like I said, I can't be trusted to make these things!

Let's get started!

WHAT YOU NEED:
13 oz package of UNWRAPPED Rolos (around 60)
1 - small package of MINI Pretzels (waffle shaped or regular)
Pecan Halves (around 60)

WHAT ELSE YOU NEED:
Cookie Sheet
Aluminum Foil (optional)

WHAT YOU DO:
1.  Pre-Heat oven to 350 deg with an oven rack in the middle position
2.  Unwrap the Rolo candies
3.  Arrange the Pretzels on the Cookie Sheet (lined with Foil if desired)
4.  Top each Pretzel with 1 Rolo candy
 

5.  Place Cookie Sheet full of future Turtle goodness in the oven on the Middle oven rack
6.  Bake for 4 minutes until the Rolo is soft
7.  Carefully Push a Pecan Half into each Rolo Candy

8.  Allow to cool 20 min on the stove top, then 20 minutes in the refrigerator.  However, they can go directly into the refrigerator if you are pressed for time!
9.  Serve at a party, give to a neighbor, bring to work.  Just don't keep them in your house!

That is all there is to it for one of the easiest, tastiest, and most addictive sweets I've come across in the past few years!  Seriously, the hardest part is unwrapping 60 Rolos! 

Pecans can be expensive as they are this year.  Other nuts can be used (Walnuts etc), but so far Pecans have always been my favorite.  Other candies can be tried (ie Hershey Kisses), but the Rolos just seem to go with the Pecans on a Pretzel just like Peanut Butter goes with Grape Jelly on White Bread!

I have seen the oven temperature vary between 170 deg F up to 400 deg F.  I imagine if you are trying different candies, then you may need to vary the oven temp.

'Anymonkeycan' make this delicious, addictive snack because 'this one' just did!

Until next time,
Your favorite interweb Monkey

THANKSGIVING LEFTOVERS PANCAKES (a 2 banana difficulty level)

I really liked the recent savory pancakes I made which I called "Greek Griddle Cakes."

www.anymonkeycan.com/2011/10/greek-griddle-cakes-2-3-banana.html

Hoping to replicate that goodness, I thought I would try to make pancakes with some of my Thanksgiving leftovers.  Specifically, Turkey, Cranberries, & Sweet Potatoes would be used along with some other ingredients.  What better way to start than to just jump right in!

WHAT YOU NEED:
2 c White Whole Wheat Flour
2-3 T Oil - Coconut Oil was used today
1/2 t Baking Soda
1-2 t Kosher Salt
1 T Sugar
1.5 to 2 c Whole Milk
2 Eggs
2-3 T Butter -Melted
1 Avocados - sliced (optional)
Shredded/Shaved Cheese - Stella Fontinella etc (optional)
Thanksgiving Leftovers:  Turkey - chopped; Cranberries; Sweet Potatoes - cubed

WHAT ELSE YOU NEED:
Large Skillet
Griddle (optional)
Spoon
Knife
Small Microwaveable Bowl
Whisk
Chef's Knife
Ladle or a measuring cup

WHAT YOU DO:
1. Microwave the Butter for about 1 minute at no more than 50% power. You probably want to do in 30 sec intervals to avoid the potential of a mess.
2.  Turn your Griddle/Large Skillet to Medium Heat & add the Coconut Oil.
(if your Griddle is not sufficiently pre-heated, your first batch of pancakes will be less than desirable...)

3. While the butter is in the Microwave, measure & whisk together the dry ingredients (Flour, Salt, Baking Soda, Sugar.)
4. Whisk together the Wet ingredients (Eggs, Milk, & Melted Butter.)

5. Mix your Wet ingredients into your Dry ingredients until fully incorporated. The batter should have the consistency of slightly thick paint. If yours is too thin, then add 1-2 T of Flour. If too thick, then add 1-2 T of Milk

6.  Prepare your Pancake "add ins" & have them easily accessible.

7. Using a Ladle, carefully ladle about 1/2 c worth of the Pancake batter onto your Griddle trying to maximize your space.

8. Working quickly, add in your "add ins"

Poor job maximizing space...

Better Cooking Space utilization!

9.  Cook until the pancake surface is filled with bubbles (around 4-5 min), then carefully flip to the other side & cook for another 4-5 minutes

10.  Cool on plate or wire rack, then serve and Enjoy!

I wish I had included the Shredded or Shaved Cheese when I made these.  I think that added a nice flavor dimension with the "Greek Griddle Cakes."  The cheese gets a nice golden brown after you flip and cook the Pancakes.  Nonetheless, the "Thanksgiving Leftovers Pancakes" were a creative way to incorporate some of my Holiday leftovers!

Until next time, your friendly neighborweb Monkey!

LEFTOVER CRANBERRY IDEAS (a 1 banana difficulty level)

Greek Yogurt with Cranberry Sauce, Pecan Pieces, & Cinnamon

It's usually pretty easy to re purpose most Thanksgiving Leftovers.  Turkey becomes sandwiches or soups or goes in rice/pasta dishes.  The Pies just get eaten as does the stuffing.  But what about the leftover Cranberries?  Here are 2 super quick, super easy, & super tasty ideas for the Cranberry Leftovers!

WHAT YOU NEED:
Leftover Cranberries
(Here's our recipe:  www.anymonkeycan.com/2011/11/cranberry-sauce-with-pear-rosemary-3.html  )

Steel Cut Oatmeal
(Here's our recipe:  www.anymonkeycan.com/2011/01/oatmeal.html  )

Greek Yogurt - Your call on the brand...

Cinnamon - to taste
2-3 T Pecan Pieces per Bowl

WHAT YOU DO:
1. Top your Fresh Oatmeal or Greek Yogurt with 2-3 T of Leftover Cranberry Sauce, 2-3 T Pecan Pieces, & Sprinkle with Cinnamon

2.  Enjoy!

Steel Cut Oatmeal with Cranberry Sauce, Pecans & Cinnamon

I'm a big fan of keeping things simple when they can and should be & this recipe certainly does that!

See, 'anymonkeycan' can get creative in the kitchen with the Cranberry leftovers because 'this one' just did!

Until next time, your friendly neighborweb monkey!