Crestview, Fl
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Does anyone else see the name of something and wonder how it got it's name? I can't be the only one that goes to Google for the tough answers. haha. I have always wanted to know why Monkey Bread it called monkey bread. That is when I found out, it is also called Monkey Puzzle Bread. The puzzle part I understand. The rest, not so much. Google unfortunately had no real answers. Alas, this question will go unanswered. Either way, the product is still deliciously ooey gooey goodness. 
I am a big fan of cinnamon rolls. Most people know this. I once spent hours making the Pioneer Woman's made from scratch cinnamon rolls. These are easy but with a big pay off! The pull apart version of a cinnamon roll!

Ingredients:
12 uncooked biscuits (I used Grand's but you can use any kind, even dinner rolls)
6 tablespoons melted butter
2 tablespoons corn syrup
½ cup brown sugar
3 teaspoons cinnamon

Directions:
Spray a muffin tin with cooking spray
Preheat the oven to 350
Cut each biscuit roll into 4 equal pieces. 
Roll them into balls.
In a bowl, combine the butter and the corn syrup. 
Stir it until well mixed. 
In another bowl, combine the brown sugar and cinnamon and mix together well. 
Dip the biscuit pieces in the butter mixture and then in the brown sugar mixture. 
Place the pieces in one cup of the muffin tin. 
Repeat with remaining roll pieces. 
Note: If you are using yeast rolls, cover them with sprayed plastic wrap and let them double in size. Remove the wrap before baking) 
Bake at 350°F 15-20 minutes. 
Let them cool 3-4 minutes before removing from pan. 

Icing:
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon butter, melted
1-2 tablespoons milk
½ teaspoon vanilla
1 tsp orange zest (optional)

Combine icing ingredients and mix well. 
Drizzle it over your monkey bread puzzle rolls if desired. Enjoy!


 
I don't know about you, but I LOVE Chinese food. Sushi, egg rolls, and fried rice! Unfortunately, it isn't really all that good for you. So the other day I decided to come up with an un-fried rice. This recipe, I give two thumbs up. Most importantly, my husband's bowl was completely clean when we finished. No butter, no sugar, and no oil. It comes out under 400 calories a serving. 

Ingredients:
1 cup Mahatma rice
water
1 cup frozen broccoli
1/2 cup frozen green beans
1 lb pork, cubed
2 tbs chili powder
2 tbs kosher salt
4 tsp granulated garlic
2 tsp black pepper
3 tbs soy sauce

Note: I made the pork and rice a day ahead of time.

Directions:
Pork:
1. Mix the chili powder, salt, garlic, and pepper together
2. Place the pork in a slow cooker
3. Shake the mix into the slow cooker and coat all the pork
4. Pour enough water in the cooker to coat the bottom of the pot
5.Add 1 tbs of soy and cook on low for 5-6 hours or until done

Rice:
1. Rinse the cup of rice in cold water until the water runs clear
2. Place the rice in the rice cooker
3. Add the water according to your cooker and a pinch of salt

**Note:This can also be done on the stove top according to the directions on the bag. I like the rice cooker because it makes a great sticky rice.**

Put it all together:
1. If you made yours ahead of time, take the pork and rice out of the refrigerator to come to room temp. Otherwise, skip to #2
2. Heat the wok or pan to medium-high heat 
3. Put the green beans and broccoli into the pan
4. Add the juice (drippings) from the crock pot to the pan
5. Heat the vegetables until heated through
6. Add the pork and the rice and toss it together
7. Add the other 2 tbs soy 
8. The dish is ready when the rice and pork have warmed

I hope you guys enjoy this as much as we did. 


Brandy Cakes