Sour Cream Raisin Pie

One of my husband's favorite pies.  This one had to 'grow' on me, but I do like it now.  Didn't used to......

Flaky Pie Crust:

 

2 cups sifted pastry flour
3/4 cup Crisco
1 teaspoon salt
4 to 6 tablespoons ice water

 

Sift together flour and salt. Add half the Crisco, broken into tiny pieces. Work the Crisco into the flour gently with your fingertips until the mixture contains walnut sized lumps.Sprinkle water over flour, stirring quickly until the dough just begins to hold together. Press mixture together, place in a ziploc bag and store in the refrigerator one to two hours to rest.

Remove from refrigerator 15 to 20 minutes before rolling out and allow to sit at room temperature.

Roll out thinly and line two 8 inch pie pans. Using a fork, pierce the crust in several places and bake in a 400°F oven until lightly golden but not brown.

Filling:

 

2 cups sour cream
3 egg yolks
3/4 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup water

 

In a small covered sauce pan, cook raisins with water until liquid is absorbed (about five minutes). Allow to cool.Combine sugar and flour. Add beaten egg yolks, sour cream, cinnamon and vanilla.

Cook in a double boiler until mixture begins to thickened. Mix in raisins, and divide evenly into two 8 inch prebaked pie crusts.

Spread with meringue.

Meringue:

 

3 egg whites
6 tablespoons sugar

 

Beat egg whites until stiff, but not dry, in the clean bowl of an electric mixer, gradually adding in sugar.Spread meringue on top of raisin filling. Sprinkle lightly with sugar.

Bake at 350°F until meringue is lightly golden (about 12 minutes).

Makes two 8 inch pies.

Serve at room temperature with whipped cream.

 

 

Chicken Pot Pies

* 3 whole (6 split) chicken breasts, bone-in, skin-on
* 3 tablespoons olive oil
* Kosher salt
* Freshly ground black pepper
* 5 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade
* 2 chicken bouillon cubes
* 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
* 2 cups yellow onions, chopped (2 onions)
* 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
* 1/4 cup heavy cream
* 2 cups medium-diced carrots, blanched for 2 minutes
* 1 (10-ounce) package frozen peas (2 cups)
* 1 1/2 cups frozen small whole onions
* 1/2 cup minced fresh parsley leaves

For the pastry:

nocoupons

* 3 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
* 1/4 pound cold unsalted butter, diced
* 1/2 to 2/3 cup ice water
* 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water, for egg wash
* Flaked sea salt and cracked black pepper

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Place the chicken breasts on a baking sheet and rub them with olive oil. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Roast for 35 to 40 minutes, or until cooked through. Set aside until cool enough to handle, then remove the meat from the bones and discard the skin. Cut the chicken into large dice. You will have 4 to 6 cups of cubed chicken.

In a small saucepan, heat the chicken stock and dissolve the bouillon cubes in the stock. In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter and saute the onions over medium-low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, until translucent. Add the flour and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Add the hot chicken stock to the sauce. Simmer over low heat for 1 more minute, stirring, until thick. Add 2 teaspoons salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and heavy cream. Add the cubed chicken, carrots, peas, onions and parsley. Mix well.

For the pastry, mix the flour, salt, and baking powder in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Add the shortening and butter and mix quickly with your fingers until each piece is coated with flour. Pulse 10 times, or until the fat is the size of peas. With the motor running, add the ice water; process only enough to moisten the dough and have it just come together. Dump the dough out onto a floured board and knead quickly into a ball. Wrap the dough in plastic and allow it to rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Divide the filling equally among 4 ovenproof bowls. Divide the dough into quarters and roll each piece into an 8-inch circle. Brush the outside edges of each bowl with the egg wash, then place the dough on top. Trim the circle to 1/2-inch larger than the top of the bowl. Crimp the dough to fold over the side, pressing it to make it stick. Brush the dough with egg wash and make 3 slits in the top. Sprinkle with sea salt and cracked pepper. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 1 hour, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling hot.

Caramel Apple cheesecake Pie

The best of each of the main features, caramel, apples and cheesecake!


Ingredients:
For the crust:
1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
3 tbsp. sugar
½ tsp. cinnamon
5 1/3 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
½-¾ cup caramel
1 cup chopped pecans

For the apple filling:
5 tbsp. unsalted butter
½ cup light brown sugar, tightly packed
¼ tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
5-6 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced

For the cheesecake:
8 oz. cream cheese
¼ cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice

For the topping:
¾ cup heavy cream
3-4 tbsp. confectioners' sugar
¼-½ cup caramel
Chopped pecans

Directions:
To make the crust, preheat the oven to 375° F. Line the bottom of a 9-inch round springform pan with parchment paper. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, cinnamon and melted butter. Toss with a fork until all the crumbs are moistened and the ingredients are evenly mixed. Transfer the mixture to the prepared springform pan and press the crumbs in an even layer over the pan bottom and about half to two-thirds of the way up the sides of the pan. Bake for 6-8 minutes, until golden in color. Let cool for about 10 minutes. Pour a layer of caramel into the bottom of the crust and sprinkle evenly with the chopped pecans. Refrigerate the crust while you prepare the filling.

To make the apple filling, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Mix in the brown sugar, salt and cinnamon and cook for 1 minute, until bubbling. Mix in the apple slices and toss well to coat. Cook over medium to medium-high heat until tender and most of the liquid has been reduced, about 15-20 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes and pour into the prepared pie shell. Set aside.

Reduce the heat of the oven to 350° F. To make the cheesecake layer, combine the cream cheese and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat on medium speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Mix in the vanilla, egg and lemon juice until fully incorporated and smooth, 1-2 minutes. Spread the cheesecake filling into an even layer over the top of the cooked apples in the crust. Bake until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Remove from the oven, transfer to a wire rack and let cool to room temperature. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

To serve, carefully remove the sides of the springform pan. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the heavy cream and confectioners' sugar on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form (being careful not to overbeat.) Spread gently over the top of the chilled cheesecake layer. Top with dollops of caramel sauce and swirl with a knife to create a marbled effect. Sprinkle with a handful of chopped pecans if desired. Slice with a long, thin knife to serve.

Pecan Fudge Pie

1 1/4 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup baking cocoa
1/3 cup flour (all-purpose)
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 egg
3 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup pecans, chopped
1 unbaked pastry shell (9 inch)
1 whipped cream (optional)

In a large mixing bowl, beat the first eight ingredients until smooth. Stir in nuts, pour into pie shell. Bake at 350 degrees for 55-60minutes, or until set. Cool completely. Garnish with whipped cream if desired.

Double Crust Apple Pie

RECIPE COURTESY OF MICHAEL LOMONACO
Porter House New York
10 Columbus Circle
4th Floor
New York, NY 10019
212-823-9500

6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter
2½ pounds firm, tart apples, preferably seasonal local specials like Macouns, Northern Spy, or Granny Smith, peeled, cored, and sliced into ¼-inch wedges.
½ cup sugar plus 1 tablespoon for dusting
¼ cup raisins
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground clove
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tablespoons cornstarch
Basic Pie Dough (recipe follows)
1 egg, beaten with 2 tablespoons water to make an egg wash

1. Put 3 tablespoons of the butter into a large, heavy-bottomed sauté pan and melt it over medium heat. Add the apple wedges and sauté until slightly softened but holding their shape, 3 to 4 minutes. Add ¼ cup of the sugar and stir to combine. Add the raisins, cinnamon, and clove and stir.

2. In a bowl, combine the lemon juice and cornstarch. Stir the mixture into the apple mixture and remove the pan from the heat. Let cool completely.

3. Preheat the oven to 375°F.

4. Fill an unbaked bottom crust with apple filling and dot the top with the remaining butter. Top with a rolled-out top crust. Cut ½-inch vents in a round-clock pattern into the top crust to allow steam to escape. Brush the top lightly with egg wash and sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon sugar.

5. Put the pie on a cookie sheet or other low-sided baking tray to catch any spillage. Place on the middle rack of the oven and bake for 20 minutes, checking occasionally to ensure that the top is browning evenly. Rotate the pie 180 degrees to move the front edge to the back of the oven, and bake until the top is uniformly golden-brown, 15 to 20 more minutes.

6. Remove the pie from the oven and let cool for 20 minutes before slicing and serving.

Makes 1 pie, enough to serve 6 to 8

Apple Pie

1 pie crust

6 to 7 cups peeled and sliced Granny Smith apples
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1/2 cup sugar
4 tablespoons flour
1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 sticks butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup quick oats
1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup pecans
1/2 jar (or more) caramel topping

Mix peeled apples, lemon juice, sugar, flour, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Set aside.
Cut the butter into the flour, then add in brown sugar, oats, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
Add apples to prepared pie shell and top with crumb topping. Cover crust edges with aluminum foil and bake in a 375-degree oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil from crust and place back into the oven for another 30 minutes. Chop pecans, and when five minutes remain, sprinkle them over the pie. Finish baking.

Remove pie from oven and pour 1/2 jar of caramel topping over the top. Allow to cool slightly before serving.

Apple Slices Brown Betty

INGREDIENTS
2 cups dry bread crumbs
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
10 cups sliced tart apple
1/3 cup butter, melted
1/3 cup applesauce
1 1/2 teaspoons white sugar

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a small bowl, combine bread crumbs, brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and cloves. Place half of the sliced apples in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Top with half the bread crumb mixture. Repeat layers. Pour melted butter over all and cover with applesauce. Combine remaining cinnamon with white sugar and sprinkle on top.
Bake in preheated oven 1 hour, until apples are tender and mixture is bubbly.

Apple Slices Betty

INGREDIENTS
4 cups thinly sliced apples
1/4 cup orange juice
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 pinch salt
1/2 cup butter

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9 inch pie plate.
Mound sliced apples in the pie plate. Sprinkle with orange juice.
In a medium bowl, mix the flour, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Scatter over the apples.
Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes. Serve warm.

Rhubarb Betty

INGREDIENTS
5 cups chopped rhubarb
3/4 cup white sugar, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 cups cubed cinnamon swirl bread
1/4 cup butter, melted

DIRECTIONS
In a medium bowl, toss together the rhubarb, sugar and cinnamon. Add half of the bread cubes, and toss lightly to distribute. Transfer to an ungreased 2 quart microwave-safe baking dish. Top with remaining bread cubes. Drizzle melted butter over the top.
Cook in the microwave on full power for 12 minutes, or until the rhubarb is tender. serve warm.

Apple Pecan Cobbler

INGREDIENTS
4 cups thinly sliced apples
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1/3 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup chopped pecans
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Generously grease a 2 quart baking dish.
Arrange apple slices in an even layer in the baking dish. In a small bowl, mix together 1/2 cup sugar, cinnamon, and 1/2 cup pecans. Sprinkle mixture over apples.
In a medium bowl, mix together flour, 1 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl whisk together egg, evaporated milk, and melted butter. Pour milk mixture into flour mixture all at once, and stir until smooth. Pour mixture over apples, and sprinkle top with 1/4 cup pecans.
Bake in the preheated oven for 55 minutes.

NUTRITION INFORMATION
Servings Per Recipe: 8

Amount Per Serving

Calories: 416

Total Fat: 18g
Cholesterol: 52mg
Sodium: 238mg
Total Carbs: 62.5g
Dietary Fiber: 3.3g
Protein: 4.8g

Cherry Cobbler

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup butter
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup milk

2 cups pitted sour cherries
3/4 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place the butter in a 9x13 inch baking dish, and place in the oven to melt while the oven is preheating. Remove as soon as butter has melted, about 5 minutes.
In a medium bowl, stir together 1 cup of flour, 1 cup of sugar, and baking powder. Mix in the milk until well blended, then pour the batter into the pan over the butter. Do not stir.
Rinse out the bowl from the batter, and dry. Place cherries into the bowl, and toss with the remaining 3/4 cup of sugar and 1 tablespoon of flour. Distribute the cherry mixture evenly over the batter. Do not stir.
Bake for 50 to 60 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown. A toothpick inserted into the cobber should come out clean.

Peach Cobbler

INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup white sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup milk

2 cups fresh peaches, pitted and sliced
1/4 cup white sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/2 cups water
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly butter a 9x9 inch glass baking pan.
In a large bowl, cream the butter and 1/2 cup sugar.
In a separate bowl, mix flour, salt and baking powder. Add to the creamed mixture alternately with the milk.
Spread mixture evenly into baking dish .
If using canned peaches, drain thoroughly, reserving the juice. Spoon fruit over batter.
Sprinkle with cinnamon and 1/4 cup sugar. Pour fruit juice or water over the top.
Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 45 to 55 minutes. During baking the fruit and juice go to the bottom and the batter rises.

Best Apple Crumble - Australian

INGREDIENTS
6 large Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored and chopped
2 tablespoons white sugar

1/2 cup butter
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 egg
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup custard powder

3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup butter
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/3 cup shredded coconut
1/3 cup rolled oats
DIRECTIONS
Place apples in a large pot with enough water to cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and simmer 15 minutes, or until soft. Drain, and cool. Place in a large bowl, and toss with 2 tablespoons sugar to evenly coat.
In a large bowl, whip together the 1/2 cup butter and 2 tablespoons sugar until fluffy. Mix in the egg. In a separate bowl, mix 2 cups flour, baking powder, and custard powder. Mix dry ingredients into the bowl with butter and sugar. Press crust into the bottom and up the sides of a 9 inch springform pan.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Drain apples and place into the crust. Cut together 3/4 cup sugar, 3/4 cup butter, 1 1/4 cups flour, and cinnamon. Mix in coconut and oats. Sprinkle over the apples.
Bake 1 hour in the preheated oven, until golden brown. Remove sides from pan and allow crumble to cool before serving.

Fresh Cherry Crisp

INGREDIENTS
4 cups pitted sour cherries
1 1/2 cups white sugar
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup old-fashioned oats
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup shortening

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
In a large bowl, combine cherries, 1 1/2 cups white sugar, and 4 tablespoons flour. Pour into 9x13 inch baking dish. In a medium bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups flour, oats, and brown sugar. Cut in butter and shortening until crumbly. Sprinkle over cherries.
Bake in preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until topping is golden brown.

Pear Crumble

INGREDIENTS
3 pears - peeled, cored and sliced
2 teaspoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons old-fashioned oats
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
1 dash ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon cold butter
2 tablespoons chopped nuts

DIRECTIONS
Place pear slices in a greased 1-qt. baking dish. Sprinkle with lemon juice. In a bowl, combine the sugar, oats, flour, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. Cut in butter until crumbly; add nuts. Sprinkle over pears. Bake at 350 degrees F for 25-30 minutes or until bubbly.

Rhubarb Crunch

INGREDIENTS
3 cups diced rhubarb
1 cup white sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup quick cooking oats
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup butter

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
In a large mixing bowl combine rhubarb, white sugar, and 3 tablespoons flour. Stir well and spread evenly into baking dish. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl combine brown sugar, oats, and 1 1/2 cups flour. Stir well then cut in butter or margarine until mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle mixture over rhubarb layer.
Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes. Serve hot or cold.

Cobblers, Crisps & Crumbles Explained

Easier to prepare and faster to bake than pies, crisps and cobblers are a perfect way to showcase seasonal fruits.

"A tightly covered skillet will 'grunt' while this traditional dessert cooks," according to Iola Eagle in her Blueberry Grunt recipe.


Cobblers, Crisps and Crumbles

Blueberry Grunt
Cherry Grunt
Apple Slump
Peach Pandowdy
Bird's Nest Pie
Huckleberry Buckle II

Fresh fruit crisps can match fruit pies fork to fork in terms of flavor--and they win the race from mixing bowl to oven to table. From blueberry buckle to apple crisp to peach cobbler, these humble desserts are made with sweetened fruit topped with a biscuit dough, pastry crust, or crumbly streusel.


A crisp, a crumble, or a crunch

These desserts are the simplest of all: fruit is covered with a streusel topping and baked until the crust is crispy and the filling bubbles and thickens.

Triple Berry Crisp
Fresh Cherry Crisp (recipe above)
Maple Apple Crisp
Rhubarb Crunch (recipe above)
Pear Crumble (recipe above)
Best Apple Crumble - Australian! (recipe above)


Cobblers

Cobblers can be topped with a sticky drop biscuit dough (which looks like stone cobbles on an old street) or a lattice of pastry.


Peach Cobbler (recipe above)
Fresh Cherry Cobbler (recipe above)
Blackberry Cobbler
Fresh Fruit Cobbler
Apple Pecan Cobbler (recipe above)


Brown Betties

Apple brown betty is one of the first documented apple desserts in the United States. Popular during Colonial times, it's still a nostalgic favorite. The fruit is layered with a mixture of fresh breadcrumbs, butter and brown sugar, and the concoction is baked until the apples are tender and the crumb topping gets crispy.


Apple Slices Brown Betty (recipe above)
Apple Betty (recipe above)