Archive for the 'Autumn & Winter' Category

This will also become your best apple pie recipe. Just wait till you taste it!
2 unbaked pie crusts
About 6 med-large Granny Smith apples, peeled and chunked
1/2 cup sugar
A pinch (1/8 tsp.) kosher salt
1-1/2 Tbsp. cornstarch or flour
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
A pinch (1/8 tsp.) nutmeg
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, diced
1 Tbsp. milk [...]

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I’ve heard folks say that everybody’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day . Although it may or may not be true, I’ll bet eating this great round loaf is a good start.  It’s a simple, purist’s loaf - the way I like it; no fanfare, just enjoy with hot tea.
4 cups all purpose flour
2 Tbsp. [...]

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The Mott’s company sells packets of instant Hot Spiced Cider in a couple different flavors. Someone gave me some packets and so I tossed them into my basic applesauce bread recipe and it worked wonderfully. See for yourself.
1 cup white sugar
1 cup applesauce
1/3 cup oil (NOT olive oil)
2 eggs
3 Tbsp. milk
1/2 tsp. pure [...]

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Apple sauce can be made at anytime of the year because apples are always available. But I wait until the temperature drops into the 50’s or very low 60’s; to me that’s the perfect time and around here that happens in early October. Give it a try. Ask the kids to join in.
16 large apples [...]

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What would the cold weather season be without some delicious gingerbread? Whenever I smell this baking it takes me back to school days when I’d kick through the fallen leaves walking home from the bus stop.

1 cup water
2 tsp. baking soda
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. allspice
1 stick (1/2 [...]

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A contribution from my sister Sandy who uses this as a sauce for broccoli and cauliflower all through the Autumn & Winter months. It’s almost difficult to eat broccoli without it; it’s unthinkable at Thanksgiving!
2 Tbsp. butter
3 Tbsp. flour
Kosher salt
Ground black pepper
3 cups milk
2+ cups shredded cheddar cheese
In a medium saucepan on medium-high heat, melt [...]

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This is a delicious yeast-based coffee cake that tastes like pastry. It’s great to serve any weekend guests and makes 2 beautiful cakes.
Pastry Cake:
1/2 cup warmed water
1 Tbsp. dry yeast
1/2 cup warmed milk
2 large, beaten eggs
1/4 cup white sugar
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 Tbsp. grated orange rind (McCormick’s brand is great)
6 Tbsp. butter, softened
1/2 [...]

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Not your everyday run of the mill pie. This is dreamy rich & good! Be sure to serve with strong coffee, tea or a tall glass of cold milk. Absolutely perfect on a cold day.
1 Pre-baked and completely cooled 9-inch pie shell
2)14 oz. cans sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup pure maple syrup (better syrup makes [...]

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Even if you don’t care for sweet potatoes, chances are you’ll like this pie.
Gingersnap Cookies Crust:
25 gingersnap cookies
4 Tbsp. (1/2 stick) melted butter
Filling:
1 good sized sweet potato, peeled &; chunked
1 1/2 Tsp. flour
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
3/4 tsp. ginger
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/8 tsp. (or a pinch) of ground cloves
1/4 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 cup [...]

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This is a crumb-topped apple pie simply because I forgot to make a 2-crust pie dough today when I was preparing this! Oh well, mistakes sometimes turn out to be delicious!
Single crust pie dough
Filling:
8-10 granny smith apples, peeled & chunked
1/2 cup sugar
1/8 tsp. salt
1-1/2 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. vanilla extract (pure [...]

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