Gluten Free Sea Salted Soft Pretzel Knots with Rosemary Mustard Recipe

These soft pretzel knots are a perfect homemade treat! With just a scattering of sea salt and fiery homemade rosemary mustard, they're great for munching during the game!

Makes 16 to 20 pretzels

Sea Salted Soft Pretzel Knots with Rosemary Mustard 

These soft pretzel knots are phenomenal. They're deliciously golden and slightly crunchy on the outside but soft and chewy on the inside. They're everything you want from a good pretzel. And they're very nearly bite-sized, which makes them great for popping in a bag and toting around on holiday (as we did) or along to a sporting event.

I whipped up a batch of these babies the night before we went away for an extended weekend to the coast. I made the mustard the morning before we left (and actually left it on the counter while we were gone!) But to be honest, these pretzel knots don't even need mustard. Or cheese. Or anything but an empty tummy to fill. I packed them in a Tupperware box and they kept fresh three days, although they barely lasted that long because we couldn't stop snacking on them whilst driving!

When I was growing up, I had a bit of a thing for soft pretzels. No trip to the mall was ever complete without a visit to Pretzel Time (I think it calls itself Pretzelmaker now). And when Target launched its in-store food courts, my daddy and I would stop in after school at least once a week to have soft pretzels and slushies. So I'd say I've got a pretty discerning pretzel palate.

That said, I stand on the side of a more modern approach to pretzel making. I take the controversial stance in not boiling my pretzels before baking them. I've read many opinions about the merits of boiling pretzels in a baking soda solution before baking them, including this post that argues the scientific benefit of doing so. I don't know much about Ph levels; what I learned in a high school chemistry class, I've since mostly forgotten. What I do know is pretzels. And baking. And I'm here to tell you, that you don't have to boil pretzels to get the crust beautiful and dark with that crackling effect all pretzel lovers go ape over. Let me show you another way...

Do you Dare to Dayre?

As a blogger, I understand the importance of social media. I rely on it heavily to boost my number of visitors and unique visitors to my blog, but sometimes, I get overwhelmed by the hassle of multiple platforms and of being restricted to an arbitrary number of characters or amount of photos I can upload.

There's a new app that addresses these concerns. It's targeted at bloggers and it's developed by people who understand these frustrations. It's called Dayre and I think it's pretty phenomenal. With Dayre, you can create sort of a rolling blog post--filling your day with real-time, in the heat of the moment snippets. You can upload videos or photos, add stickers or straight text and more. Then you publish them in the app. It's fast and effective and it helps bloggers stay on top of blogging.

Gluten Free DIY Microwaveable Macaroni & Cheese in a Mug Recipe

Do-it-yourself macaroni and cheese done in a mug in a microwave is a perfect lunchtime treat for one!

Feeds 1

DIY Microwaveable Macaroni & Cheese in a Mug 

I love this macaroni and cheese. It's just enough for one person for lunch or a snack. Since everything is cooked in the microwave in a single mug, there's not many dishes either. It's perfect cheat's mac 'n' cheese. I know, I know. That's not exactly macaroni up there. It's fusili. Or spirals. But it's close enough to count, right? Right.

There was a time (in college) when I lived off of Easy Mac.  As a penniless student, boxes of Easy Mac went a long way. But oh, if someone had told me that I could have made it just as easily all by myself without any of that radioactive yellow cheese goop! ...

This is a dead easy recipe. It's always the easy ones that go pop, though. I remember as a child, my oldest brother accidentally put some tin foil in the microwave one day. That didn't go pop. That went bang, spark smoke. And in college, a friend and I were rushing to make snacks during a commercial break in Gilmore Girls. Our snack of choice was one of those Easy Mac microwave bowls and in our haste, we forgot to put any water in. That did go pop. It went pop, flames, smoke. Then the fire alarm went off and the whole dorm was evacuated and we never got to finish that episode of Gilmore Girls. But we learned an important lesson: pasta is surprisingly flammable if cooked in the microwave without liquid.

Luckily, this recipe didn't cause any drama. It's easy to do and delicious. You'll love it. And you'll welcome the break from sandwiches for lunch, too.

#GetHimFed 15

Welcome to #GetHimFed with +Jess Harp  from Hungry Harps and me! :)

We have all heard the saying, “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” It’s true – and any good woman knows it! Not only do men love to satisfy their hunger with something delightful on the palate, they are also in love with the fact that their meals are made, with love, by the women in their life. Sometimes they are even eager to please back after tasting a recipe that was whipped up for them – and those are the ones we are looking for at #GetHimFed!

How to Add a Read More Image to Posts on Blogger

Written by: Anyonita Green on 11/7/2103

Welcome to the Blogging Crash Course! 

Helping you grow your blog into the powerhouse you know it can be!

Inserting a jump and showing just a snippet of your posts is a proven way to increase click-through on your blog. In addition to encouraging your readers to actively engage with your posts, you are presenting them with a neat and tidy platform for viewing your blog.

Blog organization is an important aspect of blogging. A cluttered, busy blog may drive readers away instead of welcoming them. You can use jumps within your post to order the structure of your blog's main page and to showcase introductions to previous posts on your blog.

This tutorial will briefly explain the benefits of using jumps within your posts and provide you with a code for inserting your own read more image onto every post on your blog.

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ActiFry Gluten-Free Sesame Orange Chicken Recipe

Made in the ActiFry fryer, this gluten-free take on classic orange chicken is tastier and healthier than the takeout version!

Feeds 3

ActiFry Gluten-Free Sesame Orange Chicken 

This Sesame Orange Chicken is better than from a takeaway. It's so succulent and the orange sauce is thick and coats and clings to the chicken. Using crushed Rice Krispies to coat the chicken is a clever, gluten-free trick for people who can't have breadcrumbs! What I especially love about this dish, is that it's cooked in the ActiFry Fryer so it's insanely healthier than the usual orange chicken recipes. Trust me, guys, you're going to love this recipe!

I had heard lots of things about air fryers like the Tefal ActiFry I used to make this recipe. People promised that using an air fryer would transform my cooking and my life, but I remained a bit skeptical. I'm unsure why I was skeptical, because all of my pots and pans are Tefal and I have many of Tefal's appliances and accessories. In my cooking, Tefal has long since been a trusted brand. Still, I wasn't exactly sure what to expect from an air fryer, so I shied away from it. That was probably the worst decision I could make.

I'll say it straight out: this ActiFry is amazing. Hands down. Not only can you make perfect chips and fries, but you can make a ton of other tasty dishes, too! Like that Sesame Orange Chicken up there. I even used the ActiFry to make breakfast!

Here's why every cook needs an ActiFry: It's safer to use than traditional deep fat frying methods. It produces healthier results than traditional frying--the food isn't sodden with grease! It produces food that is light and tasty and crisp. The fryer is dead easy to use and even easier to clean and it's so versatile! 
This post is in association with Argos.

Tasty Tuesdays #35

Welcome to Tasty Tuesdays!

This link party is all about sharing recipes! Joining in is easy; just click "You are Next" and copy/paste the URL of a previously unlinked blog post's URL. Choose a flattering photo to upload and then click some of the other great posts in the party and meet new bloggers!

Why should you link up to Tasty Tuesdays?

Linking up to parties and leaving comments on other posts is a proven way to increase traffic to your blog and grow your blog's followers!

All Tasty Tuesdays participants get guaranteed Pinterest exposure!
We pin every post you share because this party is about everyone getting exposure for their blog! Due to Google's algorithm changes regarding comment spam, I have had to adjust my commenting style and as of Tasty Tuesdays #19, I will no longer be leaving comments on every post. Instead, I will now share three different links each day the party is live on various social media sites. I will also still continue to pin every link that complies with the rules of the party. Be sure to follow our Tasty Tuesdays board on Pinterest!

Gluten Free Gooey Marshmallow Caramel Popcorn Recipe

Caramel meets marshmallow in this gooey, sticky treat that's perfect for movie nights in or as a Bonfire Night treat!

Makes 1 bag

Gooey Marshmallow Caramel Popcorn 

If you ever need a movie night treat, reach for this recipe. This gooey marshmallow caramel popcorn will change your life, or at least your snacking habits! It's perfect party food, great for nights in and would be utterly delicious on Bonfire Night, too.

I've had an obsession with caramel corn since I was a child. I'd spend the Christmas holidays each year working through one of those enormous multi-flavor popcorn tubs and the caramel was always the first to go! Combine the delicious taste of caramel corn with sticky, gooey marshmallow and you've got a winner!

Gluten Free Apple and Blueberry Mini Tarte Tartin Recipe

This tart of paper-thin apple slices and juicy blueberries all coated in thick caramel makes a perfect autumn dessert!

Makes 4 tartes Tatin

Apple and Blueberry Mini Tarte Tatin 

Overly autumnal, this indulgent tarte Tatin is a classic French dessert made with paper-thin slices of apple and fat blueberries, nearly bursting with their own juice. The first time I ever had a tarte Tatin, I had a single serving. Greedily, I wanted to capture the remaining tarte and gobble it up myself, fork cast aside, getting stuck in with just my fingers.

Somehow, I managed to employ self-restraint. It was that strong urge of gluttony that made me realize two things: 1. Tarte Tatin is one of my top 3 favorite desserts of all time and I get very cross at the thought of having to share it with anyone else. and 2. If I ever made another a tarte Tatin I would need to put extreme measures into place to prevent me from scarfing it all down myself.

That's how these mini tarts came about. No matter how illogical it may seem, I needed to know that I could have a whole tarte to myself. So I made them smaller. Voila! False sense of exclusivity instated and binge eating of French pastry prevented in one fell swoop. I felt like a rock star. And then I tasted it. And I wanted to be alone with my little tarte Tatin. And I was. It was just me and ol' tart-y. Elbows propped up on the kitchen counter and this golden pastry in my hands. It was unrefined, undignified and maybe just a bit uncouth. But it was perfection.

Disclaimer: I've not gone loco. (Completely.)  Did you know that the plural of tarte Tatin is tartes Tatin?! When I found that out, I felt like Lorelai Gilmore and the whole culs-de-sac versus cul-de-sacs thing. Also, the correct grammatical spelling is: tarte Tatin. Just as you would write Granny Smith apple and not Granny Smith Apple.

#GetHimFed 14 with a slight change +$1,000 Giveaway!

Welcome to #GetHimFed with +Jess Harp  from Hungry Harps and me! :)

We have all heard the saying, “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” It’s true – and any good woman knows it! Not only do men love to satisfy their hunger with something delightful on the palate, they are also in love with the fact that their meals are made, with love, by the women in their life. Sometimes they are even eager to please back after tasting a recipe that was whipped up for them – and those are the ones we are looking for at #GetHimFed!