11:00am EST, 11/07/09
 
 
 
 
 
 
Romantic Monday
APPLE PIE A LA MODE

2          store-bought, refrigerated pie crusts 
¼         cup brown sugar
¼         cup white sugar
½         teaspoon cinnamon
¼         teaspoon nutmeg
2          tablespoons cornstarch
            pinch salt
7          Granny Smith apples, peeled & thinly sliced
2          teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1          teaspoon vanilla extract
3          tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
            HAAGEN DAZS vanilla ice cream           

1.         Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Unroll pie crust into a pie pan or use a ready-made pie shell.  With a fork, poke holes all over the crust.  Bake crust for 10 minutes.   

2.         In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cornstarch & salt.  In a large bowl, combine apples, lemon juice & vanilla.  Stir the apple mixture well & pour it into the half-baked pie shell.  Sprinkle the sugar mixture evenly over the apples.  Place the pieces of butter evenly over the apples.   

3.         Cover the pie with the top crust.  Seal the edges with a fork or finger tips.  With a sharp knife, cut four 2-inch holes in the top crust, to allow the steam to escape.  Cover the edges of the pie crust with foil to prevent burning.  Place the pie on a cookie sheet & bake for 45-50 minutes.  Cool & serve warm with ice cream on top. 

serving: 8 / prep time: 25 minutes / cook time: 60 minutes

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Quality Time Tuesday
FRESH TOMATO & BASIL ANGEL HAIR 

1          pound Angel Hair pasta
½         cup olive oil
2          tablespoons fresh garlic, minced
5          cups Grape tomatoes, sliced in half
¼         cup balsamic vinegar
1          cup fresh basil, chopped
½         cup parmesan cheese, grated
            sea salt, to taste
            cayenne pepper, to taste            

1.         Cook pasta as directed on package then drain.  In a large skillet, heat olive oil & garlic for 2-3 minutes.  Add tomatoes & cook until they are hot, about 5-7 minutes.  Add vinegar to skillet then toss pasta & tomato mixture in a large bowl.    

2.         Add basil, parmesan, salt & pepper to pasta.  Toss to thoroughly coat pasta & serve.

servings:  8  /  prep time:  25 minutes  /  cook time:  20 minutes

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Waistline Wednesday
ASPARAGUS WITH HOLLANDAISE SAUCE 

      pounds asparagus
1          stick butter, softened
3          egg yolks, beaten
1          tablespoon water
1          tablespoon fresh lemon juice
            sea salt, to taste
            cayenne pepper, to taste           

1.         In a large skillet, add a ½-inch of water & bring it to a boil.  Rinse the asparagus & cut off 1 inch from the bottom.  Place asparagus in the pan, cover & steam for 2-3 minutes.  

2.         In a medium saucepan over low heat, add 2 tablespoons of the butter then slowly whisk in beaten egg yolks, water & lemon juice.  Continue to rapidly stir with a whisk.  Slowly add remaining butter while whisking sauce.      

3.         Sauce will thicken, if it is too thick add 1-2 tablespoons of hot water.  Place asparagus on a large platter & drizzle Hollandaise Sauce on top.

servings:  6  /  prep time:  10 minutes  /  cook time:  15 minutes

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Thoughtful Thursday
TARRAGON & ROSEMARY CORNISH HEN

2          1½-pound Cornish hens
2          tablespoons butter, softened
1          tablespoon fresh tarragon, chopped
1          tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
1          teaspoon fresh garlic, crushed
            sea salt, to taste
            pepper, to taste            

1.         Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Rinse hens with water & pat dry.  Place the hens, breast side up, on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. 

2.         In a small bowl combine room temperature butter, tarragon, rosemary & garlic.  Using your hands or a brush, spread the mixture over the entire hen.  Lightly season each hen with salt & pepper.

3.         Roast, uncovered, for 1 hour.  Remove hens from oven, lightly tent with foil & let stand for 10 minutes before cutting.

servings:  2  /  prep time:  15 minutes  /  cook time:  1  hour

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Fun Friday
HOME-MADE BUTTERMILK & CHEESE BISCUITS

2          cups all-purpose flour
2          teaspoons sugar
2          teaspoons baking powder
½         teaspoon baking soda
1          teaspoon salt
½         cup shortening
1          cup buttermilk
½         cup cheddar cheese, shredded
3          tablespoons butter, melted
¼         teaspoon garlic powder            

1.         In a medium bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda & salt.  Blend in shortening, by cutting it into the flour with two knives slicing in two different directions.  When shortening is blended, dough will look like crumbs.  Stir in buttermilk & cheese until dough is soft & sticky. 

2.         Grease cookie sheet with shortening.  Drop biscuits into heaping tablespoons, 2 inches apart onto cookie sheet. 

3.         Bake 10-12 minutes or until golden.  In a small bowl, combine melted butter & garlic powder.  Brush butter mixture onto warm biscuits.

servings:  10  /  prep time:  15 minutes  /  cook time:  12  minutes

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