Thursday, December 15, 2011

Fried Apple Pies

I had a large number of apples that were past their prime.  You know that point where they are not crisp enough to eat as they are, but they are still good for cooking?  I decided to make applesauce but remembered these fantastic fried apple pies my grandmother makes.  Not sure what she used for her crust, I called her.  Turns out it's biscuit dough!  I made my own, but you could easily use the canned variety for a quick and super easy way to use up those "aged" apples.  Enjoy!

Fried Apple Pies

Filling
8 small apples, mixed variety or whatever you have on hand
3 Tbsp. butter
2 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
2 tsp. maple syrup
1 Tbsp. lemon juice


Directions
Peel, core and slice your apples.
Melt butter in a skillet, and allow to brown slightly.  DO NOT BURN IT!
Add apples, stir and cook for a few minutes, until they begin to release their juices.
Throw on the lid and cook, stirring occasionally until the apples are soft and falling apart.  Add remaining ingredients and stir to combine, breaking apples up with the spoon.  Bam!  Applesauce or filling is done!


Crust
6 Tbsp. salted butter + 1 Tbsp. melted for brushing
2 c. all purpose flour
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 c. milk
1 tsp. sugar

Directions
Cut butter into 1/2 dice and place in freezer.
Put flour, baking powder and salt in food processor and pulse to combine.
Using an adorable chubby baby hand, add the chilled butter to the flour mixture and pulse until it looks like coarse crumbs.
Dump into a bowl, pour in the milk and using a pressing motion, fold into dough.  Add additional teaspoons of milk if needed.  Roll dough out on a floured surface and cut into rectangles or desired shapes (my rectangles are approximately 6"x7"), reshape dough as little as possible in this process.  Overworked dough is tough dough.
Standing over the dough to create a shadow (Sundown snuck up on me), spoon about 1/2 cup filling into the center of dough.
Fold over dough and crimp edges with a fork to seal, dipping fork in flour if needed to prevent sticking.
Brush pies with melted butter and sprinkle with sugar. (Alternatively, you could leave them as they are and make a simple frosting of powdered sugar and water to spread over the top after they cool...)  Either way, they can be baked at 425 degrees for 15-18 minutes OR you can do as my grandma does and pan fry them in a small amount of vegetable oil.  Either way is delicious!

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

My First Food Post- Japanese Steakhouse Creamy Dressing

I unabashedly love the creamy gingery salad dressing at my local Japanese hibachi restaurant.  The thought of only enjoying it while other people quietly judge me for the slurping and yum-ing noises I make, was a major bummer.  I discovered they will sell it to you, but considering I have two kids, two dogs a husband and a part time job, I was having problems finding the time to actually get there.  Not to be beaten, I remembered this new thing they call Google.  All the kids are using it nowadays to find recipes.  Right.  Anyhoo, all I found was the same recipe for Benihana's salad dressing over and over again.  It is not a creamy dressing.  Sigh.  I decided to use what I had learned from hours of salad dressing research to create my own knock-off.  It is really dang close.  It is really dang easy.  It is really dang good.  Slurp, yum.

Creamy Ginger Dressing

Ingredients:
1/4 c. chopped celery
1 Tbsp. grated ginger
1-1/2 tsp. tomato paste
1-1/2 tsp. sugar 
1 Tbsp. soy sauce
2 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar
2 Tbsp. water
1 tsp. lemon juice
2 tsp. tahini
3 Tbsp. mayo
1/4 c. peanut oil

Directions:
Put first 4 ingredients in food processor or blender and blend until smooth.  Add next 6 ingredients and process until smooth and uniform.  While running, add oil in steady stream until emulsified.  Store in fridge.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

My First Tutorial-Cabled Neckwarmer

I am IN LOVE with neckwarmers.  Warmth with no long scarf ends to deal with.  They knit up quickly and are a great way to showcase great buttons.  This version is a cabled and lined child's size neckwarmer.  I was made to fit my daughter who is 8, but could easily fit an adult with the addition of a couple more cable repeats.  This pattern is for at least experienced beginners, but is a great way to practice cables.  I hope you enjoy it!



Cabled Neckwarmer


Materials: 1 skein Lion Brand Jiffy yarn in Shocking Pink. 
                 Size 10 straight needles
                 Scrap of matching (or not) fabric
                 2-1" buttons
                 Needle and thread

Finished Size: Approx. 22 1/2" long and 5" wide

Stitch Explanation: 2/2 LC (2 over 2 left cross) Slip 2 st to cable needle and hold in front, k2, then k2 from cable needle.
                              2/2 RC (2 over 2 right cross)  Slip 2 st to cable needle and hold in back, k2, then
k2 from cable needle.

Neckwarmer: co 30 st. Work 3 rows in Seed st.
Row 1 (RS): Work 3 st in Seed st, p1, k4, p1, k1, p1, k8, p1, k1, p1, k4, p1, work 3 st in Seed st.
Rows 2, 4, and 6: Work 3 st in Seed st, k1, p4, k1, p1, k1, p8, k1, p1, k1, p4, k1, work 3 st in Seed st.
Row 3: Work 3 st in Seed st, p1, 2/2 LC, p1, k1, p1, 2/2 RC, 2/2 LC, p1, k1, p1, 2/2 LC, p1, work 3st in Seed st.
Row 5: Repeat Row 1.
Row 7: Work 3 st in Seed st, p1, 2/2 LC, p1, k1, p1. 2/2 LC, 2/2 RC, p1, k1, p1, 2/2LC, p1, work 3 st in Seed st.
Row 8: Repeat Row 2.

Repeat rows 1-8 13 times, or until desired length.

Button Hole Row: Work 3 st in Seed st, p1, k4, cast off 2 st, p1, k8, p1, cast off 2st, k4, p1, work 3 st in Seed st.
Next Row: Work in Seed st, casting on 2 st in pattern after st 8 and st 20 to replace cast off st.
Last 2 Rows: Work in Seed st.  Bind off.

I wanted to line my neckwarmer, but this is absolutely optional.  If you want, you can simply weave in in the yarn ends, sew on your buttons and be done.  If you wish to line yours too, read on.


I washed and dried my fabric which is a super soft flannel since it will be up against neck skin.  Next, I laid my finished scarf on top and started to cut around it.  Then I realized bad things were going to happen when I accidentally cut my scarf so I traced around it and cut along the lines.

I pinned my fabric to the back of my neckwarmer, turning the edges under about 1/4".  I hand sewed the fabric to the warmer using a simple whip stitch.  Be sure to leave your button holes free or you will have to make button holes in your fabric as well.  HUGE pain in the...  well, you know.

Sew on your buttons, and weave in your loose yarn ends and presto chango!


A warm snuggly neck warmer!