Seasoned Pretzels

This recipe is from Amy Hanten's cookbook "The Cooking Mom."  This is the first thing I've tried out of this cookbook and I'm excited to try more.

2 bags (16 oz each) or 1 big bag (32oz) pretzels
1 packet (1 oz) dry ranch salad dressing mix (example:  hidden valley seasoning)
3/4 cup canola or vegetable oil
1.5 tsp dill weed
1.5 tsp garlic powder

Place pretzels in a large bowl.  Combine remaining ingredients and pour over pretzels.  Stir to coat.  Pour into a large baking pain.  Bake at 200 degrees for 45 minutes to an hour, stirring every 15 minutes.  Store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.

I may try cutting down slightly on the oil next time to see if that makes a big difference in taste.  And I might half the recipe.  This makes a lot of pretzels!

Beer Dip

I've tried a few new recipes in the past couple of weeks but nothing worth sharing so I thought I would share my beer dip recipe since it's been a couple weeks since I posted.  Well it's not actually my beer dip recipe.  I originally got it a couple years ago from someone I work with.  I've also been told it's the same beer dip recipe that's on the Taste of Home website.  Nonetheless, it's an awesome beer dip and I've gotten a lot of compliments on it since I usually make it for family get-togethers.  It's usually one of the first things to go!    My kids even love it when I make beer dip!  After eating some, my four year old usually says "I love beer!"

Beer Dip

2  8oz blocks of cream cheese.  I have used low-fat and it still tastes good!
1 packet of Hidden Valley Ranch dry seasoning
shredded cheddar cheese (the amount depends on your preference)
1/2-3/4 can of beer  (In my opinion a heavy beer tastes better in the beer dip then a light one but that is totally up to your preference.)
Pretzels for dipping.  Or you could use crackers or vegetables.

Mix together all ingredients.  Put it in a bowl or serving dish and put some cheddar cheese on top if desired.  I also mix in a little bit of shredded cheddar cheese into the dip.  I pour the beer in a little bit at a time to get  the dip to the consistency and taste that I want.