Thin Blueberry Pie with Butermilk Crust

 

This pie has become a favorite of mine. I love that it is made in a pizza pan and allows for a thin slice. I found that 4 teaspoons of lemon juice was a little too tart for our family. I have an apple pie version in the oven as I type this. YUMMY!! Thanks to The Changeable Table for this great recipe.

Thin Blueberry Pie with Buttermilk Crust 

(Printable Version)

Ingredients:

Crust:

3 cups flour

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup shortening

1/4 cup butter (chilled)

1/2 cup buttermilk

1 Tbs oil

Blueberry Filling:

8 cups blueberries (frozen work as well as fresh)

1/2 cup cornstarch

1-1/2 cups sugar

1/4 tsp cinnamon

4 tsp lemon juice ( Used only used 2 teaspoons because my berry’s were tart )

3 Tbs chilled butter - cut in small slivers

Directions:

For Crust:

Mix together flour and salt, then cut in shortening and butter with a pastry blender until fat is the size of small peas. 

Stir together the buttermilk and oil, then pour into dry ingredients - reserving a few tablespoons in case the mixture is too moist. 

Stir with a fork until it comes together in a ball and starts to clean sides of mixing bowl.  (If it appears to be too dry - add remaining buttermilk/oil mixture as needed)

Don’t over-mix - as this will toughen the crust.

Form a large ball, then cut in half - with one half being slightly larger (this will be for your bottom crust)

Wet down your countertop with a damp cloth.

Cover area with plastic wrap, then place the larger half of your pastry on top.

Flatten slightly with your hand, then cover with another sheet of plastic wrap.

Roll evenly with a rolling pin - rolling “into” the cracks that form occasionally to keep it in a circular shape.

Turn pizza pan upside down on top of dough to check for size.  The dough should extend at least 2-3” beyond outer rim for adequate coverage.

Peel top layer of wrap off - then tip it (dough-side down) on top of pizza pan.

Use your fingers to press into the corners and sides, removing air bubbles.

Remove the second layer of wrap carefully.

Reserve second crust - and roll it the same way once the pie is filled.

Pie Filling:

Combine in large bowl cornstarch, sugar, and cinnamon.

Stir until combined and no lumps remain.

Add frozen blueberries and stir until well coated.

Pour this mixture into prepared pizza pan lined with bottom crust.  You will have additional sugar mixture that won’t adhere to the berries.  Distribute this evenly on top of berries.

Sprinkle with lemon juice, and dot with small slivers of butter.

Continue rolling the top crust as directed above - positioning it on top. 

Seal and flute edge.  Cut vents for steam.

This pie may overflow in your oven - as it’s very juicy.  (About half the time I have an overflow...)

To keep your oven clean - you may want to make a foil tray from heavy duty foil.  (Better safe than sorry, as my mother always told me...)Bake at 375° for about 1 hour - or until crust is golden brown and blueberry juice is bubbling from vents.Allow to cool slightly and then drizzle with powdered sugar/milk/vanilla glaze if desired.

Spicy Honey Chicken

 

Remember the Naan Bread I posted last? This Chicken is a perfect filling . It goes well with avocado and mango. I found this recipe at Our Best Bites ......Enjoy.

Spicy Honey Chicken

 Recipe by Our Best Bites

(Printable Version)

8 boneless skinless chicken thighs, about 2lbs (Yes, Thighs!!)
everyone is always asking me if they can use breasts for this. Sure you can, but I’m tellin’
you right now it’s better with thighs.

  2 t vegetable oil

Rub:

2 t granulated garlic
2 t chili powder
1/2 t onion powder
1/2 t coriander
1 t kosher salt
1 t cumin
1/2 t chipotle chili powder

Glaze:
1/2 C Honey
1T Cider Vinegar

 

Combine the rub spices in bowl and mix well.

Use kitchen shears (or a pair of clean scissors) to trim off any excess fat from the chicken pieces. Pat dry. Drizzle oil over chicken and rub in with your hands to lightly coat all the pieces. Then toss chicken with the spice rub to coat all sides well. Use your hands and get in there! Grill chicken for 3-5 minutes on each side, until cooked through.Watch so it doesn’t  burn but is cooked through.

While chicken is cooking, warm honey in the microwave so it’s not so thick. Add the vinegar and combine well. Reserve 2T honey glaze for later. Take the rest and brush on chicken (both sides) in the final moments of grilling.

Drizzle the reserved  2 tablespoons of glaze on the chicken after it is removed from the grill.

Homemade Naan Bread

 

I was wanting to try something different for dinner today and settled on this great Naan Flatbread recipe. Like so many great recipes I have tried this came from Melanie at Mels Kitchen Cafe. This recipe you need to plan ahead for because of the 2 hour rise time ....but trust me it is well worth it. I made it into sandwiches that reminded me of Quizno's Sammies (only better). The best part is I used a grill and didn't turn my oven on ;)

Naan (Indian Flatbread)

(printable version)

*Makes about 12 pieces of naan

3-4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon active dry or instant yeast

1 1/2 cups milk

1 teaspoon sugar

3-4 tablespoons, melted butter

Pour the milk into a liquid measure and heat in the microwave until warm to the touch (about 110 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer). If using active dry yeast, mix the sugar and yeast into the milk and let it sit for 4-5 minutes until the mixture is foamy and the yeast has activated. Once the yeast/milk mixture is foamy, pour the mixture into a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer and add the salt and 2 1/2 cups of the flour (proceed with the second paragraph of the recipe). If using instant yeast, pour the warm milk into a large bowl or the bowl of an electric stand mixer. Add the sugar, instant yeast, salt and 2 1/2 cups of the flour. Proceed as directed below.

Mix well to combine. Continue adding flour gradually in small amounts, until a soft dough is formed that cleans the sides of the bowl. Knead the dough by mixer or hand until it is smooth and elastic, about 3-5 minutes in the mixer or 10 minutes by hand.

Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl and let it rest at room temperature, covered lightly with greased plastic wrap, for about 2 hours.

After the dough has rested, turn it onto a lightly floured surface ) and divide the dough into 12 equal pieces, rounding each into a ball shape. Cover the pieces with a towel and let them rest for 30 minutes. While the dough rests, preheat your oven to 500 degrees F and place a pizza stone on the bottom rack of the oven. (If you don't have a pizza stone, try grilling the dough on a lightly oiled outdoor grill or use a hot griddle to bake the naan - you'll have to experiment with cooking times I cooked mine at 375* on a griddle and it took about 2 minutes.)

Once the dough has rested for 30 minutes, one by one, roll each piece into a circle about 6-8 inches wide, depending on how thin or thick you want your naan. Lay the circle of dough on the hot pizza stone and spritz lightly with water. Close the oven and bake the naan for 2-4 minutes, until it is lightly puffed (some pieces will puff more than others) and brown spots begin to appear on the top. Remove the naan from the baking stone and place on a cooling rack. Brush lightly with melted butter. Stack the hot naan on top of each other as it comes out of the oven. Cover with a towel and let the naan cool completely or serve warm.

My new favorite White Bread recipe

This has become my favorite go to recipe for white bread. It makes delicious scones as well. Tonight we had Navajo Taco's so a made a batch of this tasty bread dough divided it onto thirds and made 2 loaves and a dozen scones. It was a perfect addition to our dinner.

White Bread

(printable Version)

Source: The Food Nanny Rescues Dinner Cookbook

Ingredients:

4 cups warm (105-115^o F) water

2 Tbls active dry yeast

1 Tbls salt

1/3 cup canola oil

1/3 cup honey or 2/3 cup sugar

10-12 cups all-purpose or bread flour

1.       Pour the water into a very large mixing bowl or the bowl of a heavy-duty mixer. Add the yeast, salt, oil, honey, and 5 cups flour, and mix to combine. Gradually mix in an additional 5 cups flour, 1 cup at a time, until the dough is smooth. (Add still more flour, ¼ cup at a time, if necessary.)

2.       Knead by hand on a lightly floured surface, or with the dough hook on low for 12 minutes. Cover with a dish towel and let the dough rise until doubled in bulk, 30 to 45 minutes. Generously grease three 9 x 5-inch loaf pans and set aside. Note: My favorite loaf pans for bread baking are glass. Your bread will brown beautifully and look even better than what you can buy in a bakery!

3.       Punch down the dough, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead briefly to remove any air bubbles. Divide the dough in thirds, knead each section a few times, and shape into a loaf. Place the dough into the prepared pans. Cover with a dish towel and let rise 30 to 45 minutes. The dough is ready to bake when you press down slightly with your finger and the indentation remains.

4.       Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degree3s. Bake the loaves for 30 minutes. Immediately remove from the pans and cool on a wire rack. To freeze loaves, place in resealable plastic freezer bags and store up to two months in the freezer.

Variation: To make cinnamon bread, roll out each section and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar as desired. Sprinkle ½ teaspoon of water over the dough and roll lengthwise. Place in a greased bread pan. Let rise and bake as above.

 

Crescent Rolls /Crescent Cinnamon Rolls

 

We finally have neighbors!!! So today I made these great cinnamon crescent rolls to welcome them to the neighborhood. Alex delivered them hot and fresh at 9 am this morning.  The roll recipe itself makes fabulous dinner rolls that taste just as fresh the next day. Does this make you want to be my neighbor? There are a few lots left :).

Crescent Rolls ...........as seen at the changeable table

 

(Printable Version)

Ingredients:

2 Tbs yeast

1/4 cup + 1 Tbs warm water

1 cup milk

3 eggs

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup canola oil

Abt 5-1/2 cups flour

2 tsp salt

Directions:

In a small bowl, combine the yeast and water.  Allow to stand about 10 minutes till it becomes foamy.

Meanwhile heat the milk in the microwave until hot, but not scalded.

In the bowl of your mixer - beat the eggs and sugar.

Stir canola oil into the warm milk, then add to the egg/sugar mixture in the mixing bowl.  (This prevents the milk from “cooking” the eggs)

Add the dissolved yeast, mixing well.

Now begin adding just enough flour that the dough begins pulling away from the sides of the mixing bowl.   Don’t over-flour.   (You may want to stop the mixer and clean down the sides occasionally with a spatula)

*Note:  At this point - I refrigerate the dough for convenience, to use later.

If you are refrigerating the dough first, knead on countertop till smooth.  Divide into three equal portions.  Knead each portion until it forms a perfectly smooth ball.  (This will make it very easy to roll each portion out into a circle to form the crescents)

Place balls of dough on a greased baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to two days.

(If you want to use the dough immediately - cover it at this point, and allow it to rise until doubled)

When ready to form the crescents, remove from the refrigerator and roll each portion into a circle the size of a large dinner plate.

Using a pizza cutter, cut into eight sections as shown.

Roll from wide end toward the point. 

Form into crescent shapes, curving slightly towards the center.

Place point side down on greased baking sheets.  Three across, and eight down will fill your standard baking sheet with twenty four rolls.

For cinnamon rolls, prepare a mixture of brown sugar and cinnamon - mixing well.  Spread each circle of dough lightly with butter, then sprinkle with sugar/cinnamon mixture.  Roll as directed.

For regular dinner rolls - let rise until double.  Then bake at 400° for about 10-11 minutes, or until tops are golden brown.

For cinnamon crescents, let rise until double.  Then bake at 350° for about 15-20 minutes.  Drizzle hot rolls with powdered sugar glaze.  Serve immediately.

Bagel Dogs

 

This recipe is a twist on the usual Pigs in the Blanket. They taste like the Pretzel you can get in the Mall.

The bread has a slightly chewy texture like a  homemade soft pretzel would have. 

Bagel Dogs as seen at Real Mom Kitchen
(PRINTABLE VERSION)

• 2 cups water (110° F)
• 2 packages, active dry yeast
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 3 teaspoons table salt
• 5 1/2 cups unsifted all-purpose flour (approximately I used 5 1/4)
• 12 quality all-beef hot dogs
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 egg yolk plus 1 tablespoon water, lightly beaten
• Sesame seeds, poppy seeds and/or coarse salt for garnish

1. Pour the water into the bowl of an electric stand mixer and sprinkle with the yeast.  Let the mixture stand about five minutes or until foamy, then stir in 3 tablespoons of sugar and the salt. Using the paddle attachment and with the mixer on medium speed, gradually add flour, beating until well-blended and smooth, until you have a stiff dough. Replace the paddle attachment with the dough hook and knead thoroughly until smooth and elastic in texture. Form the dough into a lump and place it into a lightly greased bowl. Turn the dough over to grease the top. Cover loosely with a kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place for about an hour or until doubled in size.
2. Once the dough has risen, punch it down and knead briefly to eliminate any air bubbles and turn the dough out onto a lightly floured board. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out into a 12×9 inch rectangle or until it’s about a 1/4-inch thick, adding flour as necessary to keep the dough from sticking to the rolling pin or the board. Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut 12 1-inch pieces of dough.
3. Dry the hot dogs thoroughly. Starting at one end of a hot dog, wrap the dough around overlapping slightly as you make your way to the other end. Place seam side down on a parchment lined baking sheet and repeat with remaining hot dogs and strips of dough. Cover loosely with a kitchen towel and let stand in a warm place for about 30 to 45 minutes.
4. Preheat the over to 400°. Fill a deep, heavy pot with water and add the baking soda. Bring to a gentle boil. Working 2 to 3 bagels at a time, carefully drop the bagel dogs into the boiling water, turning frequently with a slotted spoon or spatula, for about a minute. Lift out of the water and gently dry each bagel well on a kitchen towel and arrange about 2-inches apart on a parchment lined baking sheet, seam side down. Repeat with remaining bagel dogs.
5. Brush the bagels with the egg glaze and sprinkle on your garnish of choice. Bake for about 35 minutes or until nicely browned and crusty, turning the pan about halfway through (I didn’t turn my pan and I had to bake 3 dogs on another pan.  they all wouldn’t fit on one sheet). Serve warm or let cool on a wire rack.

Makes 12 Bagel Dogs

Butterfinger BLizzard Cupcakes

This recipe is definitely one of those Special Occasion type desserts. It is very rich and Yummy.  The cupcake and filling make this recipe so good you could forgo the icing and top with plain whipped cream.(Yum)

The Butterfinger Icing takes it up a notch. You will be popular for sure when you make and share this treat!!

Butterfinger Blizzard Cupcakes  from  Your Cup of Cake

(Printable Version) 

Caramel Sauce

6 tablespoons butter

¾ cup brown sugar

1 tablespoon water

pinch salt

1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon evaporated milk

1 tablespoon vanilla

Chocolate Cake

Devil’s Food Cake Mix

3 eggs

½ cup water

¼ cup milk

½ cup oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup sour cream

½ can sweetened condensed milk

Caramel Sauce (homemade recipe above or store bought)

                                                                             

Butterfinger Buttercream    4 Butterfingers         ¾ cup butter        4 oz cream cheese      1 ½- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar             1 tablespoon milk

 Directions:

1.     Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line muffins tins with cupcake liners.

2.    If not using store bought caramel, make caramel by heating the butter, brown sugar, water and salt and let boil for 3-5 minutes while stirring constantly.  Remove from heat, pour in evaporated and stir in vanilla.  Set aside.

3.    Cake:  Lightly beat eggs, water, milk, and oil together.  Stir in vanilla and sour cream and cake mix.

4.    Fill cupcake liners ¾ full and bake for 13-18 minute or until a knife comes out clean. 

5.    While cupcakes are in the oven, mix sweetened condense milk and caramel sauce together.  Pour into a squeeze bottle with a small tip if available.

6.   While cupcake are still hot, fill with condensed milk/caramel mixture by pushing the tip of the squeeze bottle into them .  It can look ugly because you will cover it up later.  Or use a knife to cute out a shallow hole at the top of each cupcake and spoon  mixture into the hole.

7.    Keep cupcakes in airtight containers until ready to decorate. 

8.   Butterfinger Buttercream:  Here comes the tricky part… Unwrap the Butterfingers and do your best to shave off the chocolate layer.  Take the orange middles and crush in a bowl on in a plastic bag.  Sift as much of the candy as possible.  You want to get about ½ cup of orange Butterfinger powder. Make sure it is finely crushed so when you pipe it on the cupcakes it won't clog the opening of your tip.

9.   Beat butter and cream cheese for 5 minutes.  Add as much powdered sugar  as desired and milk ( I used heavy cream).  Add the sifted Butterfinger and beat well. 

10. Pipe onto cooled cupcakes and use the chocolate shavings and the parts that were too big to sift to decorate.   

Potato Salad

 

With Easter around the corner I  decided to try a few new recipes using boiled eggs. I found this potato salad recipe on the Food Network site. It is a recipe from the Neely's and goes perfectly with any BBQ fare. I liked that this recipe was scaled for 6 servings perfect when you are not feeding a crowd.

Grandma Jean's Potato Salad 

(Printable Version)

Recipe courtesy The Neelys

6 servings

Ingredients

• 5 large red potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 2 ribs celery, chopped
• 1/2 large onion, chopped
• 3 hard-boiled eggs, 2 chopped and 1 sliced
• 2 heaping tablespoons sweet pickle relish, drained
• 1/2 cup salad dressing, (recommended: Miracle Whip)
• 3 tablespoons yellow mustard
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• Paprika, for garnish
• Salt

Directions

Boil cubed potatoes until they are tender. Drain and cool. In a large bowl add celery, onion, 2 eggs and pickled relish. Add the salad dressing, yellow mustard and sugar. Stir well. Place the sliced egg on top of potatoes and sprinkle with paprika and salt. Let the potato salad chill in the refrigerator for 2 1/2 hours or overnight. If salad is dryer than you like you can add 1/4 of mayo thinned with 2tbl of milk.

Pulled BBQ Chicken

 

This is a great crockpot chicken recipe. I have also cooked it in the oven in a covered dutch oven at 300* for approx. 2hours. If you are looking for a good alternative to Sloppy Joes this is it . I served this with a great homemade crescent roll  that I will post soon. 

 Pulled BBQ Chicken   Recipe from Chelsea at mmmcafe

(Printable Version)

6 frozen skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

1 (12 ounce) bottle barbeque sauce (I used Sweet baby Ray's)

1/2 cup Italian salad dressing

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

Place chicken in a slow cooker. In a bowl, mix the barbecue sauce, Italian salad dressing, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Pour over the chicken.

Cover and cook 3 to 4 hours on High or 6 to 8 hours on low. Serve over rice, quinoa, or on hoagie rolls.

Serves 8.

Fettuccine Alfredo

 

I needed a fairly quick dinner with little prep so I turned to my Food Nanny Cookbook and decided on this yummy Fettuccine recipe. It did not disappoint. I was able to utilize the Spinach from my Bountiful Basket this week. Dinner was on the table in 25 minutes!!

 

Fettuccine Alfredo

 (Printable Version)

Ingredients:

1/2 Cup butter

3 oz. cream cheese

1 pint heavy cream

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Salt and Ground Pepper

1 pound uncooked fettuccine

1. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Mix in the cream cheese. Stir in the cream and garlic powder. Increase the heat and bring to boil. Decrease the heat and simmer stirring often,while you cook the pasta. 

2. Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package, drain.

3. Stir the Parmesan Cheese into the sauce and season with salt and pepper to taste.

4. Toss the sauce and pasta in a large bowl and serve immediately.

Variations:

For Chicken Alfredo stir-fry bite size chunks of chicken in 1 Tablespoon olive oil until cooked and add to the sauce.

If you are a seafood lover toss the sauce with medium cooked shrimp or chunks of crab.

If you want to add Spinach like I did in  the photo above Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a saute pan and add 3 cloves of crushed garlic and 1 lb of fresh spinach  and 1/4 chicken broth..heat until wilted. Toss with the pasta and sauce.