Pages

8/31/13

Homemade Sugar Free Caramel







Sugar Free Caramel

6 T real butter
1 cup sweetener
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1 t vanilla
1/8 t xanthan gum

Have everything measured out, ready to go, because once you start to make this, you don't want to walk away from the stove and let it burn.

Heat butter in a heavy bottomed pan on the stovetop over high.  Just as soon as it starts to sizzle and boil, watch for it to start turning golden brown.  Immediately add the sweetener and cream to the pan, whisking quickly.  Still whisking, sprinkle lightly the xanthan gum and whisk like crazy so it doesn't clump.  If you want your caramel sauce thinner, leave it out completely.  This is simply a thickener - which makes it easier for me to use in my candy but for brownies, ice cream, etc. you won't need it.  After only a minute or so, your caramel should now be a rich color and nice and thick and beautiful.  Remove from heat and whisk or stir in the vanilla.  Store in a glass jar - let cool on the counter and then put the lid on and store in the refrigerator.



Just starting to brown



It browns quickly! 
So buttery and rich!  And yet... no sugar!

Print Friendly and PDF

Sugar Free Salted Nut Candy Bars






Regular readers will remember when I made sugar free Salted Nut Rolls - what a huge hit those were around our house!  The ability to eat a 'candy bar' but it wasn't bad for you.  At the time of that post (here) I mentioned how important the brand name of the exact products was to the outcome of the recipe. 

 I had to resort to using a Smucker's Caramel sauce because no matter what I did, I could not get my homemade sugar free caramel to work.  I suspected at the time it was because I was using Xylitol, and even though 'supposedly' it could get to amber caramel stage, I will tell you this is not so.  Not with the brand I had anyway.  It was so hot it was almost smoking and nothing, I mean, nothing was going to make it turn amber.  I tried that twice. I also tried with Erythritol.  No dice.


The problem of the day?  My nougat layer wouldn't set up!  It was a high humidity day, which probably affected it, but I also used different version and/or brands than I used the last time on my Salted Nut Rolls and boy, was there a difference.  So...  my Salted Nut Roll turned into "Salted Nut Candy Bars" and I'm keeping them in the refrigerator and/or freezer since the nougat was so persnickety this time.




Nougat

1/4 - 1/3 c butter (a little more than 1/4 but less than 1/3, LOL)
1/2 c xylitol
1/4 c erythritol
1/2 c vanilla whey powder (I use Nature's Best Isopure Zero Carb Creamy Vanilla)
1 c cream cheese
1/2 t vanilla extract
1/2 t almond extract
10-20 drops liquid sweetener

In  a saucepan melt the butter and add the xylitol, stir until disolved and clear.  Add the erythritol, stir until dissolved then add whey protein.  Cook for about 2 minutes, remove from heat and beat in cream cheese and flavorings.  Let cool.  Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled.  It should be like playdoh - so you can work it into a shape with your hands. 

In order to make the candy bars;

Salted Nut Candy Bars

1 pkg. sugar free chocolate chips
1 recipe sugar free nougat
1 recipe sugar free caramel (or store purchased)
1 1/2 cups salted peanuts or salted, roasted almonds - chopped briefly in a processor

In a 9 or 10" square pan, place a layer of aluminum foil.  Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave and pour onto the aluminum foil and spread with a rubber spatula.  Place this into the refrigerator while you get the other items ready or just chill until it's set a bit - it doesn't have to be rock hard, just not completely melted.  Add your layer of nougat and spread or press over the chocolate.  Now pour your caramel layer over the nougat and after a brief few minutes in the freezer or refrigerator to let the caramel just set up a tad, sprinkle nuts over the top of all.

Chill until set and cut.  You can make this more of a 'candy bar' by melting another package of chocolate chips and dipping each sliced bar into the chocolate and let stand on parchment or foil until hard.  I don't personally like chocolate very much so I didn't dip ours.










Print Friendly and PDF

8/30/13

Bacon Wrapped Crackers



Once in a while you run across a simple recipe you just feel compelled to try, even if you have your doubts.  This is one of them.  When I saw this recipe there were no photos, few instructions. But... just a couple ingredients?  Too easy not to try.

I don't often have saltines in the house, but it just so happens, I bought some a week ago to accompany the homemade tomato basil soup we had.  With bacon and crackers readily available, it was a good 'test' during lunch today.

The recipe is as such;



Bacon Crackers

Bacon, sliced in half
Saltine Crackers
Brown Sugar

Wrap a half bacon slice around a saltine cracker.  Place on a baking sheet, sprinkle with a bit of brown sugar and bake at 350 for 25 minutes until done.

For my test I used 10 small square crackers, 5 slices of bacon cut in half and I opted to forgo the brown sugar as I don't like to eat sugar needlessly.  Since I already love bacon, I was good to go.

The bacon crisped up in about 18 minutes but I baked it for a couple additional just to make sure it was extra crisp.  The crackers browned beautifully from the fat in the bacon and stayed extra crisp and crunchy.  The flavor was interesting.  Not as 'bacony' or 'salty' as I expected.  But, surprisingly good.  I admit that after about 6 little crackers, my stomach said;  "enough already" but I have to be honest and say they really were not greasy on my fingers.  Another surprise.

As I removed the bacon crackers from the pan and put them on the serving plate I was asking myself if this was a recipe I would serve guests?  My decision was this;  I would make these as a quick snack if I were craving sweet, salty, crunchy and bacon all at the same time.  I would make and serve these to my family...  but I honestly don't think I'd put them on in a buffet for guests.  It's a quick, easy and yummy snack but it's not the prettiest cracker, is it? My teenage daughter had a great suggestion;  skip the brown sugar and add some grated cheddar cheese to them during the last few minutes of baking.  YUM!




Raw bacon wrapped around the crackers, ready to bake








Print Friendly and PDF

8/29/13

How I Grill Burgers in the Oven When We Are Out of Propane




This morning I looked through my files and saw this picture I forgot to post!  A couple weeks ago my husband asked for burgers for dinner.  A yummy mixture of burgers with just the right amount of spices and bits of shredded cheddar was prepared and then... I realized we were out of propane.  No worries!

Whenever we find ourselves out of propane, this is what I do!  I grabbed a baking sheet, placed a metal wire cookie cooling rack on it and placed the burger patties on it.  This allows the fat to drop away from the meat while cooking.  I chose to place them under a broiler set on low, cooking both sides and then switching to 'high' for just a minute at the end to crisp and brown them.  You can also bake your burgers this way at 400 - 450 degrees until done.











Print Friendly and PDF

8/26/13

Cream Cheese, Feta and Broccoli Stuffed Chicken Breasts





If  you've checked into my website very often, then you know I'm Mom, a wife, a woman who likes to cook and bake but I'm not into taking an hour to do a 'photo shoot' of the preparation or food.  I've actually taken to keeping my cell phone next to me in the kitchen to 'remind' me to take a couple pictures... and more than likely I forget to take a picture of the finished product because I'm so busy setting the table, getting the food on the table and eating it!

This is one of those recipes.

By the time I got our pets all taken care of and fed and then set the table, got the rest of the dinner ready and sat down to pray, I completely forgot to take a picture until it was gone.  Oooops.  So, it is what it is.  Ha.  It's how I roll.

This is one of those recipes you really (really) don't need to measure or be precise and you can add or delete as you wish.  Here is what I threw together at the last second because I had chicken breasts thawed and needing to be used up.  Quick, simple and easy but it's rather impressive to serve.


Stuffed Chicken Breasts

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
flour (or low carb breading mix, panko, bread crumbs, crushed cereal... options)
salt, pepper (options:  garlic powder, onion powder)
Broccoli, frozen or fresh (about 1/4 - 1/3 cup chopped well) you could also use spinach instead
Cream cheese (about 4 oz.)
Feta cheese (about 1/4 cup, approximate)
oil

Rinse the chicken breasts.  If they are thick or not uniform in thickness, pound them between pieces of wax paper or parchment to thin them a bit or make them even so they are easier to roll up.

In a small bowl place the cream cheese.  Microwave a few seconds to soften.  Add the feta and chopped broccoli.  Mix well. (When your broccoli is chopped well you don't need to pre-cook it. If you have larger pieces, you will need to soften them a bit by cooking a few minutes or they will be too crunchy).

In another container or in a baggy, place about 3/4 cup flour, or use bread crumbs, panko crumbs, even a mixture of crushed rice krispies, regular corn flakes, flour, low carb breading... whatever you prefer).  If you are using unseasoned breading or flour, then use salt and pepper to season a bit - about 1/8 t each.  You can also add a little garlic or onion powder or even some Italian seasoning.  I'd use about  1/8 t - 1/4 t dried seasoning. 

Lay out your chicken breast and scoop about a tablespoon or two (depending on the size of your chicken breast) into the center and roll up.  Now roll in the breading mixture, pressing gently into the chicken to help adhere it.  You shouldn't need an egg wash, if they moist, the coating will stick.   Unless you have small chicken pieces, you shouldn't need to secure it, and it should stay rolled when placed seam side down into a baking pan you have added a bit of oil to, so they don't stick.  If your chicken breasts are opening up, just secure them with 2 or 3 toothpicks.  Lightly spray with Pam or another oil to help them brown to a pretty gold color while baking.

When all four are ready, bake in a 350 degree preheated oven for about 45 minutes.  When golden brown and  the centers are no longer pink, serve hot.


The feta and cream cheese with the chopped broccoli ready to add




Print Friendly and PDF

8/21/13

7 Layer Salad (or "overnight salad")


This might be as old school as you can get but I love it!  You don't even really have to measure this one, you adapt it to your own preferences and for the dressing, do a taste test.  There are a few people who do not add any sweetener to the mayonnaise in the dressing, but I'm not one of them.  I think this salad is 'made' by two ingredients; the bacon and the dressing.  And the dressing must have just a smidgen of sugar or sugar substitute to it. (I use Xylitol or splenda). 

This is a pretty layered salad so I like to serve it in a glass container (any shape - pan, bowl, it doesn't matter) but you can put it in any container you wish.   I don't always add onions because many people don't care for them.  But you can make this a 8 or 9 layer salad with the addition of onions and or green peppers added to the celery.  This is one of the many times you can play with your food and not get in trouble.  It will be delicious.


Seven Layer Salad

Lettuce
Frozen peas (if you use fresh, blanch and chill them first - but don't cook them)
Celery and or onions, diced
Mayonnaise sweetened with sugar, salt and pepper
Bacon, crisp and crumbled
Hard boiled eggs, sliced or diced
Cheddar Cheese, grated

In a container start with a layer of lettuce.  Top with a layer of frozen peas.  Add your optional celery, onions and green pepper if you wish to use them.  Mix about a cup of mayonnaise with 1 tablespoon sugar or substitute. A dash of salt and pepper (not much!).  Stir, let it sit about 3 minutes and do a tiny taste test.  You won't want it 'too' sweet but just enough to cut the tang.  If you've added too much sugar, just add another dollop of mayonnaise or even a little sour cream.  The amount of dressing you use is up to you!  I like a nice thick layer so I use about 1 1/2 cups for a 9X13" pan or a large bowl.  Add this and spread with a rubber spatula.  Top with your hard boiled eggs, bacon and cheese.  Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 5-6 hours if you can.  Overnight is fine.  Serve with almost anything.















You might be interested in;
     


Print Friendly and PDF

8/20/13

Bacon and Avocado Grilled Cheese made with Crescent Rolls



Pillsbury Grands Biscuits used in a grilled cheese sandwich


My childhood home always and forever had a supply of canned biscuits in the refrigerator.  If a meal called for biscuits on the side, a can was popped open, little rounds of dough were quickly placed on a baking sheet and a few minutes later we were slathering butter on hot buns and eating them by the handfuls. 

The biscuits were also used by my mother to make donuts - simply push your finger through the center of each round, pulling to a circle donut shape and fry in hot oil.  Drain on a paper towel and sprinkle with sugar while hot.  By the time I was about 10 years old I was trying to be creative and would wrap small cubes of cheese in the hot dough and fry them in an attempt to make cheese balls, and one of my favorite comfort foods of the 80's was when my Mom would make a chicken and biscuit dish with the chicken and gravy layer on the bottom, topped with biscuits golden brown on the top.  Refrigerated biscuits got a lot of use in my childhood.

Oddly enough, canned biscuits have never been a staple in our home after I was married.  I prefer to make our biscuits from scratch so if there is a dish I want to make that calls for them I purchase them.  Same goes for the larger Grands style biscuits (which I make strawberry shortcakes out of sometimes)  and crescent rolls, which I use as the base for our cold veggie square appetizer.

This is a recipe I found years ago and put away in my draft files to make when I had crescent rolls on hand.  I completely forgot about it until I went through some of my old recipes this morning.  Sure enough I have bacon and avocado on hand... but no canned crescent rolls.  I could make this with bread but the flaky layers of crescent roll with this recipe is making my mouth water just thinking about it.  I'm taking it out of draft files and posting it as a reminder to myself to pick up some crescent rolls and give life to this recipe.



Bacon and Avocado Grilled Cheese - Crescent Roll Style

8 slices bacon, cooked crisp
8 thin slices avocado
8 thin slices cheddar cheese (or your favorite)
1 can of Pillsbury crescent rolls

Divide crescent rolls into 4 squares (keep 2 of the triangles together). Press seams together on each of the four squares. Then cut each of the squares in half creating 8 smaller squares.

Pour a small amount of olive oil onto your griddle and heat. When griddle is hot place all 8 squares on pan and cook for 3-4 minutes on medium-high heat. Flip squares over and place cheese on each square and then top 4 of the squares with 2 slices of bacon and 1/2 of an avocado each. Cook another 3-4 minutes. When cheese is slightly melted place the cheese only square, cheese side down, on top of bacon and avocado square. Flip. Cook until golden brown and cheese is fully melted.












Print Friendly and PDF

8/16/13

Homemade Vanilla Cupcakes with Marshmallow Frosting



I could say I whipped these up last night in honor of the first day of school for our household (Monday) or I could even say it's to celebrate the hint of chill in the air signaling the arrival of Autumn soon... but let's be honest, shall we?  I whipped these up for no reason at all.  "Just because".


You can use any white cake you wish - even use my low carb, sugar free white cake recipe here on the site (just use the search to the right, it's easy to find) - You can even a packaged mix if that is more your style - but hey, why not just whip up some cupcakes today?  They are the quickest, easiest sweet snack to make and take almost no time at all.

My version is a homemade cupcake and I opted for a marshmallow frosting over buttercream.  I normally only make this marshmallow frosting for chocolate cake (it's the best!) but I wasn't in the mood to use butter, so 7 minute frosting (marshmallow frosting) it was! 

Cake

3/4 c pastry flour
3/4 c all purpose flour
1 1/4 t baking powder
dash salt
1/2 c butter
1 c sugar
2 eggs
2 t vanilla
1/2 c evaporated milk

Mix the flour, baking powder and salt together in a bowl and set aside.  Cream the butter and sugar.  Add the eggs one at a time.  Add 1/3 the dry mix, then 1/2 the milk, 1/3 more of dry mix, the last half of the milk and finally, the rest of the dry mix.  Pour into 12 cupcake tins lined with your favorite cupcake liners.  Bake at 350 until the centers done and a knife inserted comes out clean. 

7 Minute Marshmallow Frosting

3/4 c sugar
scant 1/4 c water
1 egg white
1/4 t cream of tartar
1/2 t vanilla

If you have a double boiler, use it.  For those that don't, use a pan with 2 inches water in it, on the stove.  Use a metal bowl or second pan that just fits in it with the bottom touching the water but sits on the top of the saucepan.  I have a metal bowl that fits in a Wolfgang puck saucepan perfectly so I use that.  When the water comes to a simmer over high heat, turn it down to medium and place all in the bowl of ingredients on top.  Using an electric mixer, beat in the bowl, over simmering or slow boiling water below it to 'cook' while you beat.  It should take about 4-7 minutes to come a thick, stiff peak icing.  Use to frost a single 9" cake or 12 cupcakes.







You might be interested in these products for this recipe;
     










Print Friendly and PDF

8/12/13

Quick Homemade Restaurant Style Salsa - SO GOOD!






I make 3 or 4 different versions - which I've posted before.  My long term, fall harvest homemade salsa is the canned salsa recipe on my site I have yet to find another I like better.  

A really simple and quick version of a throw-together salsa I like and would recommend to anyone is this one; this one but now, let's move ahead to the one that is our family's number one favorite salsa recipe.  I always tell people I use recipes for brainstorming and basic guide, but always, always, always "play with your food!" and salsa is one you can certainly do so easily.

For this recipe feel free to use fresh or canned, diced tomatoes interchangeably.  Fresh tastes best, but diced is excellent too.  Play around with how hot you want your salsa but do start with just a bit of pepper (chili, green, jalapeno, etc.) no matter what.  Even just a smidgen... it won't be 'hot' at all but will impart an important flavor.  Build on the hotness factor as you and your family like.  I don't personally like the smell or taste of cilantro (and it seems to close up my throat) so I just use fresh parsley.  See?  Play with it!   This makes just a touch over a quart.  Enough to fill a quart jar for the refrigerator and a little extra left over to enjoy immediately.


Easy Restaurant Style Salsa
about 1 quart

2 cans diced tomatoes (15 oz size) or use equivalent of fresh, diced
1/2 onion, cut into chunks
1 - 2 t fresh, minced garlic
1/2 - 2 jalapeno peppers (I often use jarred, sliced jalapeno's since we have them on hand all the time)
1 - 2 t honey (I often use sugar free as well and it works great)
1/2 - 3/4 t salt
1/2 t cumin
1 T lime juice (approximate - how limey do you like it?  I use the juice of 1 lime)
Cilantro or Parsley -  about a tablespoon or two dried or a small handful fresh


Place everything in a blender or food processor and process by pulsing just until blended.  Longer for smooth and shorter for more coarse texture.  Taste... adjust accordingly with pepper, salt, lime, etc.  Serve with tortilla chips.  I store in a quart jar in the refrigerator.


I like it not too smooth and not too chunky.  Juuuuust right.

Print Friendly and PDF

8/10/13

A list of homemade soup recipes! Bookmark it!






SOUP!  Ok, so it's the beginning of August and it's still just a little to hot to crave a couple of these... but then again, soup is good any time of year.  We had Spicy White Hot Texas Chili this week.... and even though it was 90 degrees outside that day, it was nice and cool in the house and this soup with whole wheat rolls hit the spot just right.

Here are a few of the soups I've posted on An American Housewife over the years.  In one, easy to see list.  Do any sound good for dinner tonight? 

Homemade Cream of Tomato Soup
Homemade Cream of Mushroom Soup
Creamy Homemade Jalapeno Cheese Soup
Beanless Chili Without Browing the Beef First
Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings
A Basic Chili Recipe to Start You Off
Beef and Barley Soup
Machine Shed Potato Soup
Gazpacho
Spicy White Hot Texas Chili
Homemade Chicken and Noodles
Garden Vegetable Soup
Cream of Herb and Shrimp Soup
Cream of Spinach Soup with Cheese
Cream of Asparagus Soup


 

 

 

 

 

Print Friendly and PDF

8/8/13

Improving a jar of Alfredo Sauce - Pasta Alfredo with Shrimp or Chicken options



I have always made my pasta alfredo from scratch, simply because it's how I learned, how I've always made it and it's so easy and quick there was no reason to stray from what worked.  However, over the past 2 years, my teenage daughter has always asked I keep a jar of store bought alfredo sauce on hand, as Chicken Alfredo Pasta is one of her top three favorite dishes of all time and she likes to open a jar as compared to making it from scratch.

The only problem is that store bought alfredo sauce (even a very, very good brand name) still tastes like... store bought alfredo sauce.  So, I've taught her to at least do a little 'of this and a little of that' to bring a homemade flavor to it as well as to change it up a little bit here and there by adding or deleting certain additions.

Pasta Alfredo (plain, chicken or shrimp)

1 jar alfredo style pasta sauce
Optional additions;
  • Heavy Cream
  • Half and Half
  • Fresh, minced garlic
  • Diced red pepper
  • Steamed broccoli
  • Pea's
  • Spinach
  • Garlic Salt
  • Fresh ground black pepper
  • Crumbled, cooked bacon
  • Butter
  • Cream Cheese
  • Parmesan Cheese
  • Basil
  • Shrimp
  • Chicken 
  • Mixed frozen seafood mixture (thawed)


While your pasta is cooking, warm a jar of pasta sauce in a saucepan on the stove.  To the jar add at least 3 additions to the store bought sauce to give it a fresher taste.  I like to add;  1 tablespoon real butter, 1/3 cup cream, 2 t fresh, minced garlic, 1/4 c fresh grated Parmesan, 1/2 c steamed fresh broccoli, a sprinkle of garlic salt, fresh black pepper, and a little bit of fresh or dried basil.

About every 3rd time we have it, I like to add about 5 strips crisp, cooked bacon, crumbled.  At the very end of the warming time, you can add cooked shrimp or chicken.  Pour over hot, drained pasta of your choice and garnish with a sprinkle of dried parsley or sprig of basil.  Serve with a green salad and garlic or French Bread.



Print Friendly and PDF

8/6/13

Homemade Cheese Crackers (low carb, sugar free, and flavor options like jalapeno, onion, etc)







As much as I like eating saltine crackers and Cheez-its and other kinds of flour based crackers, I can't help but think (over and over again) that flour, water and salt are the main ingredients in them and also are the main ingredients in craft paste.  Having made paste a hundred times over the years (most recently in December to make a Christmas Pinata) I don't enjoy the gloopy vision I get in my head of flour and water paste when I eat crackers.  But yes, I still love them.

Back in 2002 I discovered an almond flour based cracker that was no sugar free, flour free, low carb and totally able to be changed with spices and herbs to whatever flavor I wanted.  I've posted that recipe a few times over the years but if you missed it, it's here.  I've never made it into a 'cheese' based cracker though. 

Over the years I have tried various versions of cheese-crackers but I've never liked any of them enough to make twice.  This time, I was pretty happy with the results.  I will make them again with a couple tweaks - and you can change it up a little by using different flavored cheeses (I used a Triple Alarm, Three Hot Pepper Cheese) but it's a nice base to start with.   I would suggest rolling them very, very thin for the best flavor and crisp.  I did two batches for my trial;  the first thin and the second just a tad bit thicker.  The flavor and texture is completely different and hands down, the thinner version wins.  I also went a little heavy on the cheese because I love it so much - I like the flavor but it did make the crackers just a little bit greasier from the fats. 


Cheese Crackers - Low Carb, Sugar Free

3/4 c almond flour
1/4 c wheat germ or wheat bran
1/2 t baking powder
1/4 t salt
1/4 t onion powder
1/3 c grated cheddar cheese*
1 egg white
*more salt to sprinkle is optional

Mix all ingredients together and form a dough.  It should be similar to playdoh.  I start with an electric mixer with a paddle attachment and end with using my hands.   Break into pieces on a large piece of parchment, silicone, or another surface for rolling.  Smash out a little bit with your hands, cover with another piece of plastic or parchment and roll out to a rectangle shape very, very thin.  Use a knife or pizza cutter to slice and score into squares or shape of your choice.   Bake on your parchment at 300 degrees about 25 minutes and carefully break the crackers apart on the scored lines.  I like to move the outside crackers to the inside, and the middle crackers to the outside, as the outside layers bake faster and are probably more 'done' than the middle.  Return to the oven and bake another 20 minutes or so, tossing and moving crackers as needed so they bake evenly until done.  Let them cool completely.  They crisp up as they cool.  Store air tight. 

*I used a hot and spicy 3 pepper cheese with Habanero peppers and such.  You could use regular cheese alone, or you could use cheddar cheese and a small minced jalapeno.  You could also add chives, rosemary, black pepper, or any other herb you want to play with.  If you opt to sprinkle salt on the crackers before baking, use a large kosher style and sprinkle sparingly.



Breaking the dough into pieces and placing on parchment to roll


Rolling very thin is the secret to a delicious, crisp, cracker
















You might be interested in;
        




Print Friendly and PDF

8/5/13

Mmmm Zucchini and fresh garlic! Sauted until it starts to caramelize.....





This is a repost but this is the side dish I've decided to make with dinner tonight so while I was bringing up the recipe (I use my website as my own personal collection of files and recipes) I decided to repost it so anyone popping in might be nudged to  give it a try.  I KNOW there is a plethora of zucchini  out there right now...  and everyone is wondering what more they can do with it.  Ha.





Caramelized Zucchini

yellow zucchini
green zucchini
olive oil
butter
garlic
salt and pepper

Slice and quarter your zucchini while you heat enough olive oil to coat the bottom of a fry pan along with about 2 tablespoons of butter.  This is an approximate amount.  Judge accordingly to how much zucchini you use.  When the pan is medium/high hot, add the zucchini, salt and pepper to taste and cook, letting the vegetables cook without stirring too much so they have sufficient time to come into contact with the heat, and the butter will start to caramelize.  Stir and flip the vegetables over so they brown evenly without burning.  During the last 3 minutes of cooking, add about 1/2 teaspoon of minced garlic to the zucchini.  Stir and flip to mingle the garlic with the vegetables but don't cook the garlic too long as it gets bitter when burnt.  Turn out to a serving platter.




Zucchini cooking in the pan before it starts to caramelize
Print Friendly and PDF

Homemade Blueberry Pie



My youngest daughter asks me to make blueberry pie year round, but I personally often start to crave pie in the Fall.  Now that is August, I suppose that is why this came to mind this morning.  I've posted it before - back in December of 2006 as a matter of fact!  But I've been making this particular simple recipe since the 90's.  It's so easy, so quick and yet tastes so good that I've never strayed far when trying 'new' blueberry pie versions.  This is the one I go back to.  If you have extra pie crust dough left over, you can roll a bit out and use a cute little cookie cutter to add a little pastry shape to the top of the crust too.



BLUEBERRY PIE


3 pints blueberries - cleaned and stems removed or frozen
2 T fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/4 c all purpose flour
1/2 c sugar (I use a mixture of brown and white)
1/4 t cinnamon
2 T butter, cut up
A double pie crust

Toss the blueberries, lemon juice, flour, sugar and cinnamon together in a bowl and then place in the bottom pie crust. Top with the cut up butter and then carefully place the top crust over and crimp or use a fork to seal the edges. Slash or poke the top with a knife or fork to let steam escape. Bake at 425 for 20 minutes and then lower the temperature to 350 for another 30-40 minutes. Let cool and serve with vanilla ice cream or fresh whipped cream.





You might also be interested in;
     




Print Friendly and PDF