Garlic Knots

Ingredients:

For the knots:
3 cups bread flour
1/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons instant yeast
1-1/4 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup + 2 tablespoons lukewarm water

For the garlic glaze:
2-4 cloves peeled, garlic
2 tablespoons melted butter
1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350°.

Combine the dry ingredients for the dough in the bowl of an electric mixer, then add in the olive oil, milk and water. Using the dough hook, knead together the ingredients until it becomes smooth and shiny.

Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl and let rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Separate the dough into 8 equal balls. Roll each dough ball into a 10 inch long rope, then knot together. Let the knots rise again for about an hour, or until puffy.

Bake the knots for 15 to 18 minutes or until lightly golden browned. Meanwhile mix together the glaze ingredients. Once removed from the oven, drizzle with the butter glaze.

Garlic Cheese Bites

1 can (8 oz.) Pillsbury refrigerated garlic-flavored breadsticks (or you can use regular breadsticks and sprinkle them with garlic powder)

4 sticks mozzarella string cheese

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

1 1/2 cups marinara sauce, heated

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 24 mini muffin cups with cooking spray. Unroll breadstick dough. Cut dough crosswise into thirds; separate into 24 strips. Cut each cheese stick into 6 equal pieces (24 pieces total).

Place 1 cheese piece on short end of each dough strip; roll up cheese piece in dough. Pinch and seal dough to completely cover cheese. Place rolls, seam side down, in muffin cups. Turn rolls in cups to coat all sides with cooking spray. Lightly sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until puffed and golden brown. Remove from pans to serving platter. Serve warm with marinara sauce for dipping.

Taco Pockets

Touchdown Taco Pockets
makes 10

Ingredients:
4 cans refrigerator biscuits (any kind)
1 lb. ground beef
1 package taco seasoning
water
shredded cheese
optional garnishes: lettuce, sour cream, salsa, shredded cheese

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Brown ground beef in a medium skillet. Add taco seasoning and water as directed on package. Cook as directed. Remove from heat.

On a cutting board, place 2 biscuits together and roll out into an oval with a rolling pin. Repeat with another 2 biscuits. Place a spoonful of taco meat and a spoonful of shredded cheese on one of the rolled out biscuits and place the other oval on top. Using a fork, press around edges to seal. Take a sharp knife and cut out a football shape. Make "laces" on top of the football with the scraps (see video tutorial).