To make the pie crust, use a food processor to mix the flour, salt, butter and ice cold water. Pulse until well blended.
Pour the crust mixture onto a floured baking sheet. Knead slightly to finish mixing. Cut in half. Wrap one half in cellophane and chill in the fridge until ready to use.
Using a rolling pin, roll out the first crust evenly into at least a 10 inch circle, about 1/4" thick. Fold in half and then fourths to unfold and easily line the bottom of a 9 in. pie plate. Trim pastry at outside edge of pie pan. Beat the egg white and 1 tbls water; brush over crust. Set aside.
In a bowl, combine 3/4 cup sugar and cornstarch. Gently stir in the berries. Pour into the crust.
Roll out the remaining pastry to fit top of pie; place over the filling. Trim, seal, and flute edges. Cut at least 4 slits in the top crust. Brush with remaining egg wash and sprinkle with 1 tbls granulated sugar.
Bake at 400° for 40-50 minutes or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbling. After about 30 minutes, cover the fluted edges with foil or a metal pie ring.Cool on a wire rack. Store in the refrigerator.
I am sure many of you have noticed that the grocery stores have been sold out of yeast for weeks, maybe longer, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. I had only one small package of yeast left in my fridge and decided this was a great time to produce my own sourdough starter that ‘made’ its own yeast. Well, that didn’t work so well for a first try, but that’s ok because our local Rosauser’s grocery began packaging their commercial yeast into 4 oz. packages. I was quick enough to snag one and decided to try this yeast laden starter instead and it worked beautifully! It doesn’t mean I’ve given up on the other starter options, but I’ll have to save that recommended recipe for another day.
Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup warm water until frothy. Stir in remaining 2 cups water, the flour, and sugar or honey. Beat until smooth. Cover with cheesecloth. Let stand at room temperature for 5-10 days or until bubbly; stir 2-3 times each day.
To store, transfer starter to a jar and cover with cheesecloth; refrigerate. DO NOT cover jar tightly with a metal lid.
To use starter, bring desierd amount to room temperature.
To replenish starter after using, stir 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup water, and 1 tsp sugar or honey into remaining amount. Cover; let stand at room temperature at least 1 day or until bubbly. Refrigerate for later use.
If starter isn't used within 10 days, stir in 1 teaspoon sugar or honey. Repeat every 10 days until used.
The size or shape of your baking dish doesn’t matter! Choose the shape that is your favorite.
There are few things in life as memorable as a wedding or bringing a child into a family. I had the privilege to host my niece’s bridal shower this past weekend and wanted to share how we decided on a theme and carried it through from the invitations to the decor and especially into the food. In other words, we took our theme seriously!
With a little inspiration from a Google search, selecting a shower theme was really pretty easy. The bride to be has always been in love with glitter, shiny crystal things, pretty in pink things. It’s a celebratory time so you have to have Champagne, and brunch offers a fun menu that doesn’t require a lot of last minute cooking. A short planning session over lunch helped us divide up the tasks, and it didn’t hurt to have the bride’s mother be an owner in a party rental business. She provided the extra tables, white chairs and table linens, along with an easel for the welcome sign, water goblets, flatware and a few other minor supplies.
For over two weeks I have been slicing and peeling apples by the dozens thanks to some very generous colleagues with a bounty to share. I’ve already made 5 pies, 3 dozen apple cinnamon muffins, apple cake, apple onion & yellow squash gratin, AND two dozen caramel apple cinnamon rolls. What’s next on the menu?
You’ll be the first to know when I finally decide… and hopefully I’ll get them finished before the pears and plums show up.
1 1/3 cups all purpose flour 1 cup whole wheat flour 1 cup sugar 2 tsp baking soda 1 tsp salt 1 tsp cinnamon 5 cups thinly sliced, peeled, diced apples 1/2 cup oil 1/4 cup honey 1 tsp vanilla 2 eggs
Heat oven to 350º. Spray a 13×9 pan with non-stick cooking spray. In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients at low speed until moistened; beat 2 minutes at medium speed. Spread batter in prepared pan. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Serve warm or cool with shipped cream, ice bream or caramel sauce, if desired.