Bread Stick Sticks

Everyone loves bread.... and when you make it into sticks it's even better right? So how much do you love when your bread stick is well on a stick?

 I have to admit this isn't an idea I pulled out of my head, all by myself. There's a pizza shop in Utah called "The Pizza Factory" who serves these... and honestly probably fed me throughout my last two years of college in Cedar City. I had to create my own version of these... and I think it was a success.

So one week when my FAVORITE niece came to help me with my girls, we made these for dinner. I thought it would be more fun for the kids, and maybe Nola would sit still long enough to actually eat one. The first batch I made with whole wheat flour. They were good. Then for a family party I was asked to bring rolls, but I thought these would be a lot more fun! I mad those with just white flour... delicious was the reaction I received.

1 Tbsp Yeast
2Tbsp Sugar
1 1/2 C. Warm Water
1 Tbsp Oil
1 tsp Salt
3 1/2 C. Flour
1/2 C. Melted Butter (you'll need some for now, and some later)

Garlic Bread Seasoning:
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/4 tsp dried rosemary
1 Tbsp Parmesan Cheese

8-12 Skewers (depending on how thick and long you make the bread stick)

Start by mixing the yeast, sugar and water together and let sit until it foams. (2-3 mins)
Mix in oil, salt, and flour and knead for 5 mins or until dough combines.
Remove dough from bowl, coat with oil, and return dough to bowl. Cover and let rise until double. (about 1 hour)
Divide dough and roll into 14-16 inch snake.
Soak the skewer in water, then wrap the dough around, leaving about a quarter of an inch at the top, and half of an inch at the bottom.
* you can do this next step however fits your fancy* I hung the skewer on a 9x13 cake pan and let double again. (the dough seems to droop, so you could probably just use a cookie sheet if you want to.)
Brush the dough with 1/2 of the melted butter. Bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
Mix the garlic bread seasoning with the remaining melted butter, brush onto the hot bread stick... sticks and enjoy!

If you wonder how I keep my toddler busy while I'm cooking.... this is  not how it usually is. But I was lucky this day.

My "lil pumpkins" Hats

We're not even halfway through September yet but there is already a nip in the air. Fall is on its way!
I love this time of year! I don't know exactly why, but there's just something homey about it. My mothers kitchen is decorated with pumpkins, and I have some of the best memories sitting up to her counter, drinking hot cider out of pumpkin mugs, and eating Navaho tacos with my family.
It's probably the nostalgia of it all. Pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and bundling up to rake leaves... All great settings for those family photos.
Now while the idea may always be amazing in you're head, sometimes you can't capture the feelings on camera. One year when my husband and I were engaged, my mother MADE us all go to the pumpkin patch for a family photo. Not a big deal you might say. I forgot to say WHILE IT WAS POURING RAIN and even started to snow! My husband didn't find this amusing at all, especially being a weather man, and was grumpy the entire time. So much for a "happy family." On a side note: he married me anyways.
Now that I have my own family, I try to keep some of the family traditions I grew up with alive.
When my first daughter was born, I made her the cutest pumpkin hat. I loved it so much that I made sure we made it to the pumpkin patch (don't worry it wasn't raining) and took a family photo! Then after I had my second little one, my aunt gave me one for her. So we'll be heading back to the patch for more picture taking!

So... If you're feeling the need for your "little pumpkin" to have a hat of their own I'll make you one. They're $15. Please email me with you're order cucoats@gmail.com. Make sure you include what type of brim you would like (ribbed or rolled.) and I'll get it to you before the Jack-O-Lanterns are carved!
Happy Harvest!