(Semi-Homemade) Torcettis

I really wanted to to use one of my husband's specialties, chicken teriyaki, but I couldn't get his permission even though he did say, resigned, "You are going to use it anyway," but I want to get his permission and have him make it again so I can see the proportions.  It is very good though.  Instead I am going to post this easy Torcetti recipe from my mom.  She found it in a magazine or newspaper and it is a semi-homemade take on the Italian favorite.
A little background on the Torcetti, we had them at my wedding, they were at my best friend's wedding, and they are everywhere in my hometown at Christmas.  They are good little cookies that look like rememberance ribbons.  They are great to eat with coffee.  Mmm.

Not my picture but it gives you an idea what they look like.

TORCETTIS

• 1 pkg yeast
• ¼ cup warm milk
• 2 tbls sugar

• 1 ¼ cups yellow cake mix (or whatever kind you want to use, recipe calls for 1 Jiffy yellow cake mix if you can find them)
• 3 sticks melted butter (cooled to room temperature).
• 1 teasp. Baking powder
• 2 tbls vanilla

Combine yeast, warm milk and sugar; let yeast dissolve.

Combine all ingredients and add yeast mixture until well mixed. Dough will be stiff, cover with paper towel and let rise for 45 minutes.

Pinch small amount of dough roll in hands to about 6 inches place in bowl of sugar lay on ungreased cookie sheet and cross ends like a horseshoe shape or roll into small balls and roll in sugar and bake 10 to 15 minutes or until firm and golden on the bottom.

This is for Recipe Swap Thursday over at Prairie Story so check it out.

Crack Dip

While at Fort Hood, Texas we were fortunate enough to befriend some really cool people and start a weekly poker game.  At first I would play poker and Adam would just sit and bullshit and smoke a cigar.  Eventually Adam gave in a joined our game.  The game would rotate between people's houses and we would all bring stuff to eat or snack on during the game.  One of the favorite things to have at these games is what my husband affectionately called crack dip.  This had been a recipe of our friend, Rod, and I imagine he has another name for it but Adam's name caught on quickly and I doubt the dip is called anything else now a days.  I am going to share the crack dip recipe with you now and I hope you enjoy.  We don't make it often because it tends to get eaten in one setting and as you read the ingredients you will see they are not on the healthy side even if you chose to dip veggies in them.

Crack Dip

1 lb. Bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 packet of Hidden Valley Original Ranch^® Dips Mix
1 container (16 oz.) Sour Cream
1 T horseradish (or to taste - add more for a bigger kick)
6 green onions, chopped

Mix Hidden Valley Original Ranch^® Dips Mix with the sour cream as directed on mix packet.  Add the horseradish, green onions and cooked, crumbled bacon.  Mix thoroughly and chill.


Serve with corn chips, potato chips, bagel chips or any assortment of raw veggies.  Anything you might eat ranch dip on try it in this dip.  Once you start you won't be able to stop which is why it is called Crack Dip because it is so addicting.

Check out Prairie Story for more recipes or to join in on Recipe Swap Thursday.