Homemade Pie Crust

1 c shortening (butter or lard)

2 2/3 flour

1 tsp salt

• add shortening, flour and salt in a medium bowl
• using a pastry blender, mix until pebbly
• cover  and place in the refrigerator for 2 hours or until very chilled
• also ok to freeze at this point for use later

7-8 T of ice cold water (make a cup of ice & water-allow it chill well)

To move forward with the thawed, cold pebbly dough, make 3 little wells in the dough.  

Place 1 T of iced water into each well.  Using a fork, mix.  After the water is worked in, make 3 more wells and repeat with 3 T of iced water.

Add another T of iced water, mix. Then if needed, sprinkle water with fingers and mix.

When the dough comes "together", split the dough ball into two balls

Flour generously a mat for rolling out the dough or countertop.

With floured hands, work the one dough ball into a flat round disc-about 6" in diameter.

Place disc of dough on the floured surface.

Flour generously the top of the dough.

Roll from the center evenly on all sides, then flip dough onto a re-floured surface, add more flour on top.

Continue repeating the roll out and flip as well as re-flouring the surface and the top of the dough.

If the dough begins to separate, wet a finger with water and paste the dough back together.

Once the dough gets larger the bottom of the pie dish you will be using, fold the dough in half and place in the pie dish. (to measure gently place the pie dish in the center of the rolled out dough.  The dough should exceed the edges of the pie dish)

Trim the edges of the dough to your desired look.

Repeat all of the above with dough ball #2 or freeze.

Proceed with your pie recipe!

inspired by Aunt Judy M

Brussel Sprout, Fennel & Green Apple Salad

 Ingredients:

• I recommend a food processor for slicing brussels & fennel if available

• 2 Cups Shredded Brussel Sprouts (sliced very thin)

• 1 Fennel Bulb, sliced thinly +2 Tbsp. Reserved Fennel Fronds

• 1 Apple, sliced into matchsticks (I like a tart apple, so honeyrcrisp or a granny smith would be perfect) ----slice at the last minute to avoid browning or discoloration

• 1/2 Cup Toasted Walnuts or fave nuts

• 1/4 Cup Feta cheese or fave cheese

For the Vinaigrette:

•     in a mason jar add all the following ingredients and then give a good shake

• 3 Tbsp. Whole Grain Mustard

• 1/4 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar

• 2 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• 1 Tsp. Maple Syrup

• 1 Tsp. Kosher or Sea Salt

• 1/2 Tsp. Black Pepper

This is a crisp, flavorful salad! I love serving it with rich short ribs or beef stew.

• Options: add grilled chicken or steak for a main course

inspired by "My Diary of Us" & Char

pork tenderloin full of succulence

pork tenderloin
prepare marinade:

in a glass dish big enough that the pork tenderloin can lie flat

• 2 T EVOO
• 2-3 garlic cloves chopped
• 2 tsp fresh thyme or 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 T dijon mustard or fave mustard
• salt and pepper
• 2 T local honey or maple syrup

mix marinade and roll the pork tenderloin around in it, cover meat and refrigerate for at least 2 hours

after marinading, add 1 T EVVO to a cast iron, heat skillet and preheat oven 325 degrees

add meat to heated skillet, brown on all sides

place in preheated oven and roast for 30-35 minutes

rest for 10 minutes slightly tented and then slice

Serve with glazed apples (in butter and honey) on top of a green salad with a light mustard vinaigrette.  So easy and delicious!!

inspired by Catherine's Farmhouse Kitchen

Pumpkin Quiche Gone Savory

• Bake a pastry crust in a large pie plate and set aside (ok to use gluten free)
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees for the quiche

Quiche:

• 6-8 slices bacon
• brown bacon, strain and set aside
• 1 medium yellow (white, yellow or sweet) chopped
• brown in the bacon grease or 2 T of butter or EVVO until caramelized - 12-15 minutes
• 6 sage leaves-chop finely 
• add bacon and sage to the caramelized onions, sprinkle salt and pepper, heat on low
• 8 eggs
• 3/4/c pumpkin puree
• 1/2 c heavy cream or coconut cream
• option:  pinch of cayenne pepper  (I love a little kick)
• Whisk eggs, pumpkin and cream in a large bowl
• Add onion mixture and whisk together
• Pour into prepared crust
• Bake 30-40 minutes, remove from oven and cool 10 minutes before slicing

Salad for Quiche Topping:

• 4 cups of arugula or fave greens
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 lemon juiced over greens
• 1 T fave white vinegar (Chardonnay is special) over greens
• 2 T EVVO over greens
• Toss and place on top of the quiche

Enjoy!!

Tip:  I learned from Geoffrey to apply acid on salad greens before oil to avoid an "oily" salad.  If the oil is applied first, the acid flavorings bounce off of the greens.

created by Geoffrey Zakarian and loved by Char

shrimp & grits southern style

• 6-8 slices bacon

I cut them with kitchen prior to browning.  Brown the bacon, drain grease and set aside.

• 4 c fave broth (I like to use 4 1/2 c chicken broth or whatever I have homemade in the freezer, add shrimp shells to it and simmer for an hour at least, strain and use this shrimp enriched broth)
• 1 c stone ground grits

Bring broth to a boil, add grits and reduce heat to medium.  Cook until liquid is absorbed about 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add the following:

• 1 clove garlic minced
• browned bacon
• 2 c shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 c fresh corn
• 3 T butter

Mix gently by folding ingredients together with a large spatula.  Cook on medium low until shrimp turn pink, 3-5 minutes depending on size.

Add:

• 2 T fresh lemon juice
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 2 T chopped parsley (plus little extra for garnishing)
• 1 c thinly sliced scallions (plus little extra for garnishing)

Serve immediately with a green salad or veggie of choice.  Better yet, try grilling fresh okra with a sprinkle of EVOO, salt & pepper.

created by Bobby Flay and enhanced by Char

Breakfast Sausage Gravy

 1 lb of country style breakfast pork sausage (option to use ground turkey or chicken and add:  1/2-1 tsp  garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp sage, 1 tsp thyme, 3/4 tsp smoked paprika, 1/4-1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, 1/4 tsp fennel, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper)

Brown the meat in a skillet, drain any unwanted grease.

Sprinkle 1/4 c of flour (ok to use gluten free) on meat

Add slowly on medium heat 2 1/2- 3 cups of whole milk (to desired thickness)

Salt and pepper to taste

Optional: pinch to 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

Serve however you like piping hot!

TIPS:

Great to make a day ahead.  Thin gravy with additional milk.  

Ok to make with vegan meat alternative.

shared by Char

Buttermilk Biscuits Never Better

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet ready to go

Measure in a large bowl or food processor:

• 2 1/2 c all-purpose flour (plus extra for hands and work area
• 2 T baking powder (aluminum free is best)
• 1 tsp salt

Mix or pulse.

Add 1/2 c butter cubed and VERY COLD-mix into dry ingredients with a pastry cutter, large fork or pulse if in a food processor until crumbles form.  

Add 1 c and 2 T COLD buttermilk, 2 tsp honey or maple syrup-fold or pulse everything together without overworking.

Pour dough onto floured surface and flatten into a 3/4" rectangle.  Using a biscuit cutter, cut out biscuits and place in a seasoned cast iron skillet.

Bake 15-20 minutes, butter tops when golden brown.

Enjoy with sausage gravy or homemade jam!!

created by sallysbakingaddiction and Char

Jeff’s Boiled Shrimp

1. wash 2-3 lbs of shrimp
2. put in large pot
3. cover shrimp with beer
4. add cup of vinegar
5. shake healthy amounts of Old Bay and Tony Chachere's in the pot
6. bring to a boil
7. shut off heat, cover with a lif for 5 minutes
8. drain 
9. cool in the frig

Serve with Remoulade or Cocktail Sauce