This week, I have channeled my inner Betty Crocker or is it Sara Lee? When I went to Ohio last February , I discovered something.
Pepperoni rolls...its an Ohio thing, I guess, because i've never had them before. We found them at Walmart, and they were so good! I've been on the hunt for a recipe, but waited till now to try them out. I am sometimes scared of baking, but not so much anymore. But I have a really easy recipe and I will share with you here.
First you need one loaf from this...
And of course ....
You can use either sharp or mild...I like mild.
Some oregano to taste....
And lastly, you can't get enough!
Rhodes Bake-N-Serve Frozen Dough, Pepperoni Rolls (phew, that was enough)
1 loaf Rhodes White Bread Dough, thawed and risen
1 tsp Oregano
4 oz Pepperoni, chopped
4 oz Sharp Cheddar Cheese, grated
Parmesan Cheese, grated
Thaw dough until soft and risen. (4-5 hrs at rm temp.)
On a floured surface, roll out dough into 12x16 rectangle. Sprinkle oregano over dough. Spread with pepperoni and cheddar cheese. Starting with long side, roll up jelly-roll style. Cut into 12 rolls. Place on a 9" x 13" pan sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Sprinkle rolls with parmesan cheese. Cover with plastic wrap that has also been sprayed. Let rise until double in size. Remove wrap. Bake at 350F for 15-20 minutes. Serve warm.
And they were so much better than Walmart's!
Here's what happened after. The frozen dough comes in a three pack. I made these on Sunday, I had thawed the entire package on my kitchen counter , and I split it into thirds and put the remaining back in the fridge. On Tuesday, I noticed the entire bag of leftover dough had risen! Shoot, what do I do with this I wondered. It was one of those moments that I wished I could ask my mom for advice. But then I chuckled. My mom baked even less than I do. So it was kind of sad but humorous at the same time. I do love to cook, I am learning to like baking. It takes time and patience. I see blogs of friends of mine and they are so incredibly talented. And I recognize my own talents as well, but I am not nor do I wish to be a perfectionist. Its trial and error. I have succeses and failures, and its all good. So what happened to my risen dough, was there a second coming, or rising? Why yes....and the cinnamon rolls were divine. First time too...kind of guessed at it. But the dough is a miracle!
Time to head to Disneyland California! They redid the entrance. It reminds of the front of the rollerskating club in the movie XANADU. If you've never heard of it, I encourage you to watch. It has Gene Kelly and Olivia Newton- John. Its great!
This is Paradise Pier...the one ride I rode the last time I was at California, was the Ferris Wheel. And we got stuck, LOL.
Over here is Ariel's Grotto. Where we are headed to dinner. Its got a beautiful view...and we get preferred seating for The Wonderful World of Color show. I am SO excited to see this!!
The new Little Mermaid attraction. Here's hoping we get to see it.
Since we didn't do Dumbo. We did this rocket ride, I forget the name. Kinda Dumboseque? Lilly was nervous abt how fast 15 mph was. And I said " Well. I at least go 30 down your street. You can do it." So we got on and spun around again, it was a breezy ride. But something happened to me when I got off...
The dinner reservation was around 630 and we got there abt 15 minutes early. I didn't think we could get back to our reservation on time if we tried to go on a ride. So we waitied inside. When I sat down inside, I swear I felt like I was on a boat...just rocking back and forth. Funny thing was, it wasn't on water, LOL. So I closed my eyes and rested till we were called, and I think I know what happened. I don't think I took my medication in our rush to get out of the rm. So I decided to take it.
The lights were jellyfish.
The meal came in three courses. One of the best meals I ever had at Disneyland. So much fun. The first plate on top was antipasto...olives, artichokes, peppers...second plate was heirloom tomatoes and pears and cheese, and a salad at the bottom. Lilly went for the salad, I was more adventerous. It was so good!
Seriously....how do they make these? Talent!
Dumbo! In white chocolate.
Dinner was an experience for all the senses. So worth it! By the time it was done, we had to go in line for the show. With the amount of people there unfortunately did leave time for alot of things to do at California...we trudged through Disneyland mostly.
My pictures didn't turn out that well. But here's one I got from the internet.
The show was amazing. It is so worth it. Just stunning. I want you to experience...so enjoy this download from Youtube. Its around ten minutes. I sat by some local people. The one girl loved it so much, she wrote her thesis around this production. Its amazing!
And we did make it to Little Mermaid after...
It was so cute. Afterward the park closed and everyone, and I mean EVERYONE headed back to Disneyland. Unfortunately so did we because I had to get our belongings out of the locker we decided to go back to the room because the bus was picking us up at 8. Early day. So I tried to leave the park through downtown disney back to where the cab pickups were and I didn't even make it pass security...meanwhile it got a little chilly and lilly was freezing! So after I pleaded with management and had to almost promise Disneyland my first unborn child I was able to wheel down through Downtown Disney back to the cabs, its about a mile I think. Anyway pleaded with Korean cab driver to let her sit in the cab. Got her in...and walked the wheelchair back to the maingate. And walked back again. I was so done. Then when I came back I saw lilly almost sitting on the curb, to find out he kicked her out of the cab because apparently I took to long? SERIOSLY?! What a jerk! Lilly was put in a minivan and apparently he wanted the fair with the larger party and told her to go, but not before asking for five dollars first. Classless. Thats all i'm going to say. We got in another cab and left. But it was a fun time for the most part!
After we listened to the Dapper Dan's...we headed back to the train. But first we stopped again.
Pictures! I wish I had a green thumb.
Peek-a-boo! Don't you love the lilacs?
Here is Lilly...the bag lady. :)
It was a beautiful day.
Oh Matterhorn, why must you be closed?! At least there was Space Mtn. :(
We hopped the train again, and we got off at New Orleans Square for a visit with the Pirates...
A classic, but one of my faves. Holy cow was this line loooong! It was midday and darn hot!! Good things come to those who wait..."Yo Ho, Yo Ho....a pirates life for me!"
While we were waiting in line, and might I add we were in the handicapp line, because I was pushing Lilly in a wheelchair we were standing by the Blue Bayou restaurant, which I think is the restaurant inside. Could be wrong, could be right. But I've got a secret....shhhhh. Here it is.
Just above here....
This is the door to the secret Club 33.
I didn't know this even existed. A friend of mine posted on her blog. So its a private dinner club with a 14 yr waiting list. In fact so many have applied or are waiting, no one can apply. Once you get accepted, you just pay the small fee of $10,000 and a yearly fee too. You may dine with celebrities, presidents...and I hear the experience is fit for a king. Is that not crazy? But the entrance is secret, inconspicuous...and its the best kept secret, until now.
Yay, I got the camera to work inside the ride...
I just love this one. Worth the wait! Traumatic for someone else. :)
Next, since we were in the neighborhood....I thought we should visit the Mansion.
So you know how you get in the elevator or room that stretches?
Someone had a little panic attack and wanted to leave as soon as the doors closed. I was trying to calm and say its ok...and I would ride anything she wanted (dumbo.) . I almost lost my patience and said
"Look, maybe you'll see my mom and dad! GET ON! As I grabbed by the shoulders...LOL. We or maybe just me enjoyed the ride, again another classic, but its not Disneyland for me if I don't go on these. I think we had some hangers on....
But their cute hitchikers.....:)
So next, I promised Lilly whatever she wanted to ride now....she suffered with not one, but two dark rides. She wanted a slow ride in the Sunshine.
So we went Cruisin! On Tom Sawyer's Riverboat.
Besties!! :)
So the last this is I think is Tom Sawyer Island...Saturday is also the day you can go canoeing. Not doing that this time. Its ok! But lovely picture....
I just love Disneyland....but its been a crazy day. I should NEVER go in August!
Who needs to go to New Orleans? LOL.
Loved this one.
We stopped for a break in Frontierland Diet Coke and Churro's during the day.
Then off again. We pause for an interruption of a parade...
TEACUPS!!! :D
Enjoy the Very Unhappy Birthday!
I've gotta say. After I spun and spun the teacup, I was SO dizzy. I notice as I get older these rides take a moment to get over, LOL. But they're still fun and I will still go!! This is the end of my Disneyland post...next up....Disneyland California. Stay Tuned!
