**Thank you for voting this post to Foodbuzz Top 9, Agust 16,2011**
Each day that passes I am more amazed by the outpouring of love and support given to each other in our food blogger community. This weekend as I’ve settled down to read my Google Reader feeds I was once more reminded how love filled our community is. So many of you have showed your love and support for Jennifer Perillo and her family in this very difficult time. (For those of you that don’t know what I’m talking about, Jennifer lost her husband last Sunday due to a sudden heart attack. You can read her tribute and request on her blog, In Jennie’s Kitchen.) I do not know Jennifer or her family. But my heart does ache for her and her 2 little girls. What has amazed me is that so many of you, many strangers who’ve only just heard of Jennifer have wanted to help honor her husband by making his favorite Peanut Butter Pie. We can only hope that she finds a little comfort in this outpouring of love and support for her and her family. Jennifer gives the best advice we should all remind ourselves of each day “… hug them like there’s no tomorrow because today is the only guarantee we can count on.” My heartfelt condolences Jennifer.
From celebrating the life of someone no longer here we move on to celebrating a great woman. Today is my friend Gina’s birthday. You guys all know Gina right, the SPCookie Queen. Gina has teamed up with a wonderful and mutual friend Maya (Foodiva’s Kitchen) to put together Gina’s birthday pretzel challenge. The challenge is to show our birthday love for Gina by baking her a pretzel. Of course we all love you Gina so I’m sure you’ll have many scrumptious pretzels baked for you across the world.
The last time I made pretzels was in high school home economics class. These were the first pretzels I’ve made since then but can guarantee they will be on the rotation now. I’ll admit these aren’t the prettiest pretzels and for that I apologize Gina. I will work on perfecting the shape so practice I must. Gina suggested a basic recipe on her website so that is what I used. But mine were stuffed with smoked turkey and shredded Edam cheese. The rest of the ingredients were exactly like her recipe. You can find Gina’s recipe here, Pretzels – Pepper Jack vs. Three Cheese, and the winner was!
You want to know if they were good? I baked them the night before and gave one to my hubby, with a mouthful he asked for another. I said nope! And he protested. Well they weren’t ready yet but they did smell and taste awesome. The reason they weren’t ready was because I wanted to served them with Gina’s Peach and Jalapeno BBQ Sauce. Let me tell you that sauce was g-o-o-o-o-o-d-d!! Again I followed her recipe with the exception of swapping out the Peaches for Nectarines, they are the same thing just fuss/furless. Also I left the seeds on the Jalapeno for more kick. We dipped our yummy pretzels into the yummy Nectarine BBQ Sauce and were in pretzel heaven.
Thank you Gina and Maya for hosting this fun challenge. Stop by Gina’s blog and wish her a Happy Birthday. But now the birthday girl needs to be serenaded ala Simpsons. Remember that episode when Bart sings Happy Birthday to Lisa? We will just switch out the name;) Won’t you join me?
Gina, it’s your birthday.
God bless you this day.
You gave me the gift of a little sister pretzel..?,
And I’m proud of you today.
Gina, it’s your birthday.
Happy birthday, Gina.
Gina, it’s your birthday.
Happy birthday, Gina.
I wish you love and good will.
I wish you peace and joy.
I wish you better than your heart desires.
And your first kiss from a boy.
And a great b-day kiss from your hot dog boy
Gina, it’s your birthday.
Happy birthday, Gina.
Gina, it’s your birthday.
Happy birthday, Gina.
Yeah!
Happy Birthday Gina!! I’ll happily make an ass of myself any day for you:)
Happy Birthday Gina… these are some great looking pretzels!
Yes Happy b-day to Gina! Thanks Claudia:)
Hahaha, you definitely are cute when you’re all silly like that! For someone who hasn’t made a pretzel since high school, these ones sure look good. Filled pretzels are supposed to look like that, why did you say they weren’t pretty? Anyway, go and check out my pretzels…they’re fit for a Queen. Queen Gina! LOL.
I’m a dork, just say it Maya:) Thanks, really they are? Well I said they weren’t pretty because the shape looks wrong and well they just don’t look pretty. I’m on my way. Hehe, Queen Gina:)
LOL, I’m a dork too, you dork! I can totally relate, and besides, whoever said dorks aren’t cool? Especially ultra-cute dorks like us ;-).
Haha, Maya I just finished reading it. OMG you are a genius and such a talented baker. We are going to have to call you “Maya Pretzel Fascinator Queen” hehe. Birds of a feather, no? :) And super but pretzel ultra-cute dorks!
happy birthday to Gina lovely post and song Nancy
Hehe, Thanks!
Happy Birthday Gina and congratulations on your pretzels Nancy. They do look good ! A little silliness is a good thing!
So true Patty and thank you:)
Thank you, thank you, thank you, so happy you had fun with this. I think look perfect and I wish I was there to share one with you. I love my ultra-cute dorky friends! I see a pretzel stand in your future. That song is so funny, I’ll have a smile on my face all day.
Love,
Gina
Hello birthday girl:) Glad I could put a smile on your face today. Definitely! Let’s join forces and us 3 can put out our ultra-cute dorky pretzels. Hehe. I would love to be sharing these with you Gina, but I am there in spirit:) Have a fab day!
I think my gigantic pretzels would probably scare off all the customers…hahaha! Love you, Gina!
I wish I could go out and find one of these. They look delicious! Whenever I have a pretzels I dunk it in the spiciest mustard I can find.
That sounds really good Emily!
My name is Gina and my bday is coming up – can I get in on this? :)
Haha you are funny:)
I have never made pretzels before. They are my hubby’s favorite. This is making me get a move on it! Happy Birthday to Gina indeed!
You should give them a try Amy. They are quite easy to make.
What an awesome pretzel! With the BBQ sauce….it’s a meal in itself! Beautiful! (Did I mention my birthday is in October???) : )
Hi Anne, Thank you:) You’ll have to remind me so I can make you a special b-day pretzel
Great pretzels! What a fun little challenge for her birthday!
Thanks Erin! Yes it was quite fun.
This is touching post in beginning and very happy on the end. I love the fact that you made them for Gina, she is one lovely lady and you really did incredible job! Happy B-day Gina!
Hi Sandra, Thank you:)
I love this pretzel challenge…best wishes to Gina…
You should join us Ann, it’s not to late:)
This is awesome! Happy birthday Gina!!!!
Thank you Emme!
The outpouring of love for Jennifer was amazing, I wish I would have read about the pb for mikey earlier to contribute. How fun for Gina!! your so sweet!
Hi Bonnie, Thanks:)
Oh my goodness these look amazing and how perfect to pair them with Gina’s gorgeous bbq sauce :) Love these!
And such a lovely thing for you to pay tribute to a fellow blogger, such a tragedy. I do not know her either but my heart goes out to the family for their loss.
Alisha I think you would love her bbq sauce, it was spicy and fruity so good!
oooh – those look super Nancy. A well deserved FB #3 ! Well done ….and a big happy birthday to Gina too ! I’m going on over to look at her recipe and save it as I so want to make these !
Hi Sarah-Jane, Thank you:) Actually you broke the FB news to me :)
These pretzels look so good. Congrats on your top 9!
Thank you Alyce:)
Great recipe and photos Nancy. Happy to see this in today’s Top 9.
Hi Sandra, Thank you!
I just love pretzels. I remember making them at vacation bible school! These look like a great thing for me to share with the kids. Thank you so much for sharing!
Yes a great treat to make with the kids and share with them.
Loved reading about the pretzel challenge. What a fun way to celebrate Gina’s birthday!
Congrats on top 9!!
Yes it was a lot of fun participating. Thanks!
This looks absolutely delicious. I want this for MY birthday!
Thanks Ericka. When is your birthday? :)
Aw, yea! Happy Birthday Gina! These look delicious. Collaborative and beautiful. Great stuff.
Thanks Kate!
Hi. I love the look of your pretzel. But I can’t seem to find it on here. can I please have it?!
Hi Diana, Thank you:) Do you mean you can’t find the recipe? The basic pretzel recipe is Gina’s and you can get it here: http://www.spcookiequeen.com/2011/05/pretzels-pepper-jack-vs-three-cheese.html I just added some smoked turkey lunchmeat and cheese for the filling rather than just the cheese like in her recipe.
The sauce is also Gina’s recipe and it can be found here: http://www.spcookiequeen.com/2011/08/peach-and-jalapeno-bbq-sauce-my.html I switched out the peaches for nectarines but otherwise it is the same.
What a great birthday post! I loved reading it, and the birthday song is too cute! I bet Gina loved it! Sorry about the late comment… I’ve been away and I am just catching up on posts I’ve missed :) Beautiful pretzels!
Cool blog!
Thanks!