Butterscotch Cream Pie

Butterscotch is one of our favorite flavors, and it really tastes good in a cream pie. This is an easy recipe that my family enjoys.

Ingredients

1 (9-inch) pie crust, homemade or store bought, baked and cooled
1 1/2 c. brown sugar, divided
4 Tbs. cornstarch
3 Tbs. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
2 c. milk
3 egg yolks, beaten
2 Tbs. butter
1 tsp. vanilla

Meringue topping

3 egg whites
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
1/4 c. sugar

Directions

In a heavy bottomed saucepan or a double boiler, combine brown sugar, cornstarch, flour and salt. 

Stir in some of the milk to make a stiff paste.  

Mix in egg yolks.  

Add in the rest of the milk, stirring or whisking until smooth. You don't want any lumps in your pie.

Cook and stir over medium-low heat until the mixture thickens. This takes a while, but it is important that you do not stop stirring the mixture, or it will burn. Don't remove it off the heat too soon, or your pie will be too soft.

Stir in butter, and vanilla. Mix until the butter is melted and thoroughly combined.

Pour into your baked and cooled pie crust.

While the pie is still hot, it is time to prepare the meringue topping.

In a clean mixing bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form, on medium speed.

Turn the mixer on high speed and gradually beat in the sugar, about a tablespoon at a time. Beat until stiff, glossy peaks form and the sugar is dissolved. 

Spread the meringue over the top of the still hot pie.  Be sure to cover the entire top, sealing the edge to the crust. 

Bake at 350°  for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the meringue is a golden brown.

Barbecue Pork Ribs

These pork ribs will be falling off the bone tender and packed with flavor.  Baking them low and slow in the oven is what will give you tender meat. You can use the barbecue sauce mentioned in the ingredients, or use your own premade or store bought sauce.  If you like extra sauce to serve alongside your meal, double or triple the sauce recipe.

Ingredients

3 lbs. pork spareribs
salt and pepper to taste
2 Tbs. paprika
1 Tbs. onion powder
1 Tbs. garlic powder
1 Tbs. olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1/2 tsp. cumin
1/2 c. ketchup
1 Tbs. hot chili sauce
2 Tbs. brown sugar
1 Tbs. vinegar

Directions

Preheat oven to 250°. You will need a large roasting pan or a baking sheet.

Remove the thin membrane covering the back of the ribs if it is still there. Some places already have that removed when you buy the ribs.

Season both sides of the ribs with salt and pepper to taste. In a small bowl, combine paprika, onion powder and garlic powder.  Sprinkle this seasoning over both sides of the ribs and rub it in with your hands.

Place the ribs in the roasting pan or on the baking sheet.  Cover with a lid or with a sheet of foil.  

Bake for 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours, or until the meat is fully cooked and very tender.  

While the pork ribs are baking, it is time to prepare the barbecue sauce.

In a sauce pan, over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the onions to the pan. Cook, stirring frequently, so the onions don't burn until the onions are soft and translucent. This takes about 5 to 8 minutes.

Add the ketchup, hot chili sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar and cumin. Stir to combine. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste.  Cook for about 2 minutes, then remove from heat.  Set aside.

Remove the pork ribs from the oven when done.  Brush both sides of the ribs with the barbecue sauce. 

Broil the ribs for 3 to 5 minutes until the sauce begins to caramelize.  Keep watch on the ribs, so the sauce does not burn.

Serve and enjoy.

Notes

You can bake the ribs at a higher temperature, but they will not be as tender as slow baking them. We usually bake ours at 200° and check them periodically to see if they are done or not after 5 hours.

Garlic Lemon Green Beans

 

Whether you serve this as a side dish or as a healthy snack, this recipe is sure to be a hit with your family. It is quick, easy and full of flavor.

Ingredients

1 lb. green beans fresh, frozen
2 Tbs. butter
1 Tbs. olive oil or cooking oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 Tbs. lemon juice
2 tsp. parsley
1 tsp. red chili pepper flakes (optional)
1 tsp. hot sauce, (optional)
2 Tbs. vegetable, beef or chicken stock
salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Fill a pot with water and bring to a boil. 

Rinse and trim the green beans if needed. Cut the green beans into small bite sized pieces. 

Place green beans into a large skillet and cover with water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until beans just start to soften, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain off the water and pat dry the green beans with paper towels.

In a pan or a cast iron skillet, heat the butter and oil over medium high heat.  Add the onion, and sauté until the onion is tender and translucent.

Add the green beans and garlic. Sauté the vegetables until the green beans are crisp tender. This takes about 3 minutes. 

Stir in the hot sauce, lemon juice, parsley, reed chili pepper flakes and pepper.  Cook for about 4 minutes, or until the mixture begins to look caramelized.

Pour in the stock and scrape the bottom of the pot or skillet to deglaze the pan and add some delicious flavor to the dish.  Cook for 2 minutes.

Season with salt and pepper to taste. 

Serve and enjoy.

Crispy Baked Chicken

 

Moist and juicy chicken, with a crispy, flavorful skin. This is a quick and easy dish to make, so you can enjoy your day without having to do much cooking. Serve the chicken with potatoes, corn and some home baked bread, and you have a winning meal.

Ingredients

8 chicken thighs
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. thyme
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/4 to 1/2 tsp. pepper 

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly spray a baking sheet with cooking spray or line the baking sheet with foil and then spray the foil. 

Place the chicken on the prepared baking sheet. 

In a bowl, combine salt, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, thyme, paprika and pepper. Mix thoroughly.

Lift the skin off the chicken, but leave attached. Or you can remove the skin off the chicken thighs if you prefer.  Sprinkle the seasoning mix over both sides of the chicken and on top of the skin.

Bake the chicken for about 50 to 60 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked.  The internal temperature of the chicken should read 165° and the juices should run clear.

Remove from the oven. Serve and enjoy.

Notes

You can also add quarter some potatoes, onions, and carrots and place them on the baking sheet around the chicken. Then bake until the vegetables are tender, and the chicken is fully cooked.

Onion Brie

This is an easy appetizer to make, but it will look like it took you hours to make.  Caramelized onions and Brie with a hint of sweet and sour. It is the perfect combination to satisfy your hunger.

Ingredients

1 onion, sliced thin
3 Tbs. butter
2 Tbs. brown sugar
1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
1/2 tsp. vinegar
4 oz. Brie cheese, rind removed and softened
1 to 2 tsp. caraway seeds
1 egg
2 tsp. water

Directions

Heat oven to 375°. Line a baking sheet with a sheet of parchment paper.

In a cast iron skillet, melt butter over medium low heat.  Stir in onions, brown sugar and vinegar. Cook and stir until golden brown.  Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside to cool.

Cut Brie into thin slices.  Set aside.

On a lightly floured surface, roll the puff pastry into an 11 x 8-inch rectangle. 

Place the Brie onto the puff pastry, evenly.  

Add the onions evenly over the top of the Brie. Sprinkle the caraway seeds over the top. 

Starting on the long side, roll up the puff pastry like a jellyroll.  Only roll this one side to the middle of the puff pastry. Roll up the other side until it meets in the center with the other side that you just rolled. 

Cut the log into 1/2 inch slices.  Place the puff pastry cut side down onto the prepared baking sheet. With your hand, flatten the puff pastry to 1/4-inch thickness.  

Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator to chill for 15 minutes.

In a bowl, combine egg and water. Mix well.  Brush the egg mixture over the top of each puff pastry slice. 

Bake 12 to 14 minutes, or until golden brown.

Serve warm.

Braided Easter Bread

This is a light and airy bread that is perfect to go along with your Easter dinner.  It is easy to make and one that your family will love.  This bread makes delicious French toast the next day.

Ingredients

1 pkg. yeast
1/4 c. warm water
1Tbs. sugar
1 1/3 c. milk
2/3 to 1 1/4 c. sugar (depending on how sweet you want your bread to be.)
1 tsp. salt
6 Tbs. butter
6 c. flour
1 tsp. vanilla
3 eggs, divided (Keep one egg to brush over the top of the dough if using the sliced almonds.)
1/3 c. sliced almonds (optional)

Directions

Oven temperature set at 350°.  Baking sheet lined with waxed paper. Grease or spray two 9 x 13-inch cake pans.

In a bowl, add water, yeast and 1 tablespoon sugar.  Stir to dissolve. Set in a warm location for about 10 minutes. This allows the yeast to bloom.

In a pot, combine milk, sugar, salt and butter.  Heat only until the mixture is lukewarm. Do not boil.  If the temperature goes over 110° or the milk will curdle.  The butter does not need to melt. Pour into a large bowl. 

Stir in 2 cups flour. Beat with a wooden spoon until smooth. 

Add in 2 eggs, vanilla and the yeast mixture.  Beat the mixture until smooth. This takes about 2 to 3 minutes.

Stir the remaining flour.  When the dough becomes too stiff to mix, turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Knead the dough, until the dough is for about 10 minutes until it is smooth and elastic. The dough should be slightly tacky, but not overly sticky that it sticks to your hand and your floured surface. 

Lightly grease, butter, or oil the bowl you made the dough in. Place the dough into the oiled bowl, turning once to ensure that all sides of the dough are lightly oiled. 

Cover with a tea towel and place in a warm location until doubled in size. This takes about 90 minutes, depending on how warm the location is. 

Punch the dough down, cover and let the dough rise again a second time. This will give you light and fluffy rolls. You can also skip this step if you are short on time.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface.  Divide the dough into 3 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 16-inch rope. Place the dough rope onto your baking sheet. Repeat this step with the remaining 2 dough pieces, laying the dough side by side, close together. Press the dough together at one end. Braid the dough ropes together. Press the other end of the ropes together when you reach the end. Tuck both ends under to form a loaf. 

Cover with a tea towel. Place in a warm location until the dough has until doubled in size. This takes about an hour. 

In a bowl, beat one egg.  Brush the beaten egg over all the exposed surfaces of the dough braid.  Scatter the almonds over the top. Keep most of the almonds going down the middle of the dough. When the dough rises, the almonds will spread as the dough rises and then bakes. 

Bake 50 to 60 minutes, or until it is golden brown. The loaf should sound hollow when tapped. Cool 30 minutes before slicing.

 

Easter Sugar Cookies

These sugar cookies are easy to make and they taste so good. They are crisp on the outside, but soft on the inside.  This is a recipe that you and your kids can have so much fun decorating with colorful frostings and sprinkles.

Ingredients

3/4 c. butter
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. buttermilk
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
 3 c. flour

Icing

4 c. powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
4 to 5 Tbs. milk
assorted food coloring
assorted sprinkles

Directions

Heat oven to 350°. Grease or spray a cookie sheet.

In a mixing bowl, cream the butter, and sugar until light and fluffy.  

Add in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. 

Pour in the buttermilk and mix in well. 

Stir in the baking powder, baking soda, and flour.  Mix thoroughly until you have a stiff dough.

Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours or until easy to handle.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8-inch thick. Cut with Easter shaped cookie cutters dipped in flour. Place the cookies 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet.  

Bake for 5-10 minutes, or until the sides of the cookies just start to turn brown.

Remove to a cooling rack and allow the cookies to cool completely before frosting them.   

In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar, vanilla and 3 tablespoons milk. Continue to add milk, beating well, until the icing is stiff enough to spread on top of your cookies. Beat until smooth. If the frosting is too thick, add a little more milk. If the frosting is too thin, just add some more powdered sugar.

Divide the icing into as many bowls as you want to make different colors for.  Cover the bowls with a sheet of plastic wrap, so it does not dry out. 

Decorate and frost the cookies as desires.  Let them stand for 30 minutes so the icing sets.  To store the cookies, place them in single layers, with waxed paper between each layer.  Store in a tightly sealed container.

Notes

If you don't want to cut the cookies out in a particular shape, simply roll the dough into walnut sized balls between the palms of your hand. Place on a prepared cookie sheet about 3-inches apart.