Homemade Garlic Texas Toast

Photo from and recipe adapted from: Love To Be In The Kitchen

Ingredients:

1/2 stick butter, softened

1 tsp. dried parsley

3 cloves of garlic, minced

1/2 tsp. kosher salt

1/2 tsp. ground pepper

desired amount of bread

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375.

In small mixing bowl, mix together butter, parsley, garlic, salt & pepper until smooth. 

(Optional: Add 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese.) 

Lightly spread the butter mixture on one side of all the bread.

2. Lay slices butter side up on a baking pan.  Bake 5-6 minutes or until golden brown.

(Optional: Can also throw under broiler - observe closely!)

Carrot Fries

Photo and recipe from: Tasty

Ingredients:

2 carrots

2 Tbsp olive oil

1 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F

2. Cut carrots into fries and combine in a large bowl with olive oil, parsley, paprika, salt, and pepper.

3. Place on baking sheet lined with parchment paper in a single layer. 

4. Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway.

Ingredients for Greek Yogurt Chive Dip:

1 cup  plain greek yogurt

1 tablespoon  lemon juice

2 tablespoons  chives

¼ teaspoon  salt

¼ teaspoon  pepper

Directions for Greek Yogurt Chive Dip:

Prepare dip while fries are baking. 

Combine all dip ingredients in a small bowl and set aside in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Lunch Lady Brownies

Photo & recipe from: Life in the Lofthouse

Ingredients for Brownies:

1 c butter, melted

½ c unsweetened cocoa powder

2 c all-purpose flour

2 c granulated sugar

4 large eggs

4 tsp vanilla extract

Ingredients for Chocolate Frosting:

¼ c butter, softened

¼ c milk 

¼ c unsweetened cocoa powder

3 c powdered sugar

Directions for Brownies:

1. Preheat oven to 350° F. 

Line 9x13-inch baking dish with foil and spray foil with non-stick spray. Set aside.

2. In bowl of electric stand-mixer, add melted butter and cocoa powder. 

Using paddle attachment, blend until smooth.

3. Add flour and sugar. Beat together then add eggs and vanilla. 

Mix just until combined. Don't over mix. (Batter will be thick)

4. Pour batter into prepared baking dish and spread out evenly. 

Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. 

Remove brownies from oven and let stand 15 minutes before frosting. 

You want the brownies still warm when you frost them!

Directions for Frosting:

Beat together all the frosting ingredients until smooth. 

Pour and spread over warm brownies. 

Let cool completely before cutting and serving.