Cake Mix Cinnamon Rolls

I got this recipe from my mom years ago. She got it from a friend that owned a small diner in Louisiana. I remember them being good, but apparently I forgot just how good they are! After years of this recipe sitting in my files, I finally made them for my family and they are so incredibly good! They are moist and full of flavor. These are my new go to cinnamon roll recipe. I hope you enjoy them as much as we did!

Cake Mix Cinnamon Rolls

2 ½ c water

2 pkgs. Yeast

1 yellow cake mix 

6+ cups flour, (add to reach the right texture,  dough will be sticky)

Oil and eggs that cake mix calls for

Filling:

Softened Butter

Cinnamon

Brown Sugar

(raisins & nuts optional)

Mix first 5 ingredients and let rise like other cinnamon roll recipes. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, 1 - 1 1/2 hours.

Punch down dough and let rest for 5 minutes. Roll dough out on floured surface into a rectangle. 

Brush softened butter over dough.  Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon over dough. Roll up dough and pinch edge together to seal.

Cut the roll into slices.

Arrange in greased baking pans and let rise again. Bake 15 – 20 minutes at 350*. Let cool and drizzle with frosting. (I used home made cream cheese frosting)

You can also make these into orange rolls by filling them with butter, sugar and orange zest, then frosting them with an orange glaze frosting! GO here for the instructions on orange rolls and for a recipe on butter cream glaze.

Texas Cowboy Salsa (aka Cowboy Caviar)

My mom shared this yummy recipe with me at a family reunion. It is another great summer recipe, although I also served it at a New Year's Eve party and it was a  total hit. It kind of reminds me of a bean salad with the marinade, but way better! My kids often ask me to make this because they like it so much. Be aware that this makes a large batch which is perfect for a group, it's delicious! 

Texas Cowboy Salsa

1 can each-drain and rinse

  Pinto beans

  Northern beans

  Black beans

  Black eyed peas

  Kidney beans

  White kidney beans

  Corn

Chop fine-

   1 c green pepper

   1 c celery

   1 onion

2 cans diced green chilies

Mix all together in a container with a tight lid.

I use a large flat one so it covers better to marinate.

Depending on the amount of beans used, you will need to make

½ more or double the marinate.

In a saucepan bring to a boil:

   1 cup oil

   1 cup sugar

   1 tsp water

    ¾ c white vinegar

    1 tsp salt

     ½ tsp pepper

Let marinade cool, and  then stir in with bean mixture. 

Let marinate for 24 hours before serving for best flavor. 

Serve with tortilla chips and enjoy!

Tabbouleh

Well, I've been "missing" for a while. We decided to sell our home and move to a new home. It all went very well and I'm finally back to sharing recipes again!

Here is an amazing recipe that I am excited to share with you. I got from my sweet friend Holly after she brought it to a summer picnic. It is refreshing and full of flavor. I am not normally a big fan of Tabbouleh that you get from a deli because I really don't care for parsley. But, this recipe uses flat leaf Italian parsley and not nearly as much as you see in those deli recipes. I think this is divine. My family can just sit and eat this for a meal and be happy. I hope you enjoy this too. It's a great refreshing summer salad. 

Tabbouleh

1 1/2 cup bulgar wheat
1 medium onion, diced
1/2 bunch green onions, diced (both green and white parts)
1 1/2 cup Italian/flat leaf parsley, finely chopped
3/4 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup olive oil
1 2-oz package pine nuts
1/2 cup feta cheese
 2+ tomatoes, chopped
1 teaspoon salt freshly ground pepper

Directions:
1. put bulgar wheat in a bowl and cover with water. Let soak for 1 hour
2. Drain bulgar, if necessary you can use cheesecloth to squeeze out excess liquid 
3. Add all non-liquid ingredients to a big bowl and toss together 
4. Add liquid; adjust amounts to achieve correct moistness. (It should be a little juicy, but not soupy)
5. Serve with cut pita bread