Benny Bread Stick

This post goes out to my nephew Grant who loves bread sticks. Also to my sister-in-law who I thought might want a recipe to feed that growing boy. So here is a quick easy recipe I like a lot, and it doesn't even take any yeast. I actually got it from one of my roommates and there are a lot of variations you can do with it.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees
In a mixing bowl combine:
1 1/4 cup flour
2 teaspoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup milk

Knead it all together and roll out on a floured surface to about 1/2 inch thick in a rectangular shape. You don't want them too thin or you'll end up with crunchy bread sticks (unless that's what you like.)
Then take a knife or pizza cutter and cut the dough into strips to what ever length and width you desire.
Put them on a pan with non stick spray or parchment paper. Place them close together unless you want more crush surface, I like it when you have to pull them apart when they're done baking. Brush on butter, water, or milk which ever you prefer, all should produce a golden crust.
Bake for 5-10min checking them at 5 and in between till them are golden. Don't let them get over done.

Variations:
I love to put Italian Seasoning in the flour mixture before I add the milk.
I've also put in garlic and onion power.
I haven't tried it but for a sweet bread stick it would be fun to put in a high ratio sugar and cinnamon mixture and then coat in butter and sprinkle with more cinnamon and sugar when they are warm out of the oven.
You can put in just about anything you want to flavor your bread sticks.

Have fun and enjoy!

Pasta Salad

Here is a recipe I've had for a while but kept forgetting to put it up. It's an old Kiffe tradition when I was growing up but I've modified it. It is the oh so famous Pasta Salad, it's fast easy and quite delectable.

All you need is:

1 bag of Rotini preferably the colored noodles, it makes it more fun.

1 can of shredded chicken.

1 packed of Italian seasoning dressing.

1 cucumber - pealed or not which ever you prefer, (you'll probably only use about half)

2-3 stalks of green onion, thinly sliced into circles

1 can of olives (not pictured above)

Directions:

Make the Italian dressing and put in fridge to cool. Then boil your noodles till soft, when done rinse in cold water and then place in fridge to cool.

Cut your cucumber into 4ths length wise and thinly slice into pieces (or thick which ever you prefer, I was just trying to use mine sparingly.) Then thinly slice your green onions all the way

down the stalk.

Drain your can of chicken and olives. Slice up the olives how ever you prefer (you may end up using only 3/4 of the can.)

Then get out your bowl of cooled pasta and toss in the cucumber, onions, chicken and olives until throughly mixed. Then pour the Italian dressing on top, (you will not use the whole thing) save some for those who want extra dressing on their portions.

*Tip* for left over olives stick them on carrot sticks for kids or grown ups to eat, they're super yummy and fun!