Apple pie(Granny Smith)

In all my years of baking I don’t recall ever making an apple pie with ALL Granny Smith apples.  My favorites have been Gala and Macintosh apples to bake a pie.

I’m sold!  This pie was delicious and sliced perfectly after I allowed it to cool approximately 30 minutes.  It was still warm.  

I loved the texture and taste was fabulous.  

Todays ingredients 

3 lb. Firm Granny Smith apples
3/4 cup sugar 

3 tablespoons minute tapioca ( ***you can substitute flour for tapioca)

I package Pillsbury refrigerated pie crusts((2) room temperature 

I tablespoon cinnamon 

3 tsp. Butter cut in slices 

10” glass pie dish

While you are prepared your pie remove pie crust from refrigerator.  (***Room temperature is easier to handle crust)

Set oven to 425°.

Remove skin from apples and slice.

Place sliced apples in a large bowl, add sugar, tapioca, butter and cinnamon. With a large wooden spoon toss all ingredients to coat apples.

Roll out one crust and using a rolling pin stretch crust slightly to make it thin and a little larger.  ***You want it to extend over pie dish so that is why I’m suggesting to roll the unbaked crust larger than it comes out of  pie crust sleeve .

Place crust on the bottom of a medium size glass pie dish. Crust should extend over pie dish edge.

Add apples to unbaked crust.  

Roll the other crust large enough to meet top crust.  Pinch to seal. Prick edges and center several times with a fork so steam can release.

I did not want a messy oven so just in case I placed my pie on a cookie sheet to bake.  Wise choice!

Bake 425° for approximately 45 minutes.  Cover crust edge with foil or crust cover after baking for 10 minutes so it will not brown too quickly.

I found that 45 minutes was perfect for this size pie. It browned evenly.

I had a nice piece warm.  Hubby had his warm with vanilla ice cream.

This pie was delicious!

Enjoy!

Lasagna sauce

Let’s make some hearty lasagna sauce today.  

Today it’s a little different than I usually do because I used bulk sausage more than I usually do in a red sauce recipe.

My typical ***meat sauce is usually a  combination of ground beef and pork.

Note:  I used what I had in my pantry today.  It is delicious!

1 -28 oz. red pack crushed tomatoes 

1 -28 oz.. Hunts tomato purée  large 

1 - 28oz. Happy Harvest crushed tomatoes ( Aldi brand)

1 -15 oz. Hunts sauce 

1 - 4 oz. small Happy Harvest tomato paste

3 minced garlic cloves

4 fresh basil leaves

I lb. Bulk ground sweet Italian sausage

1/2 lb.  Bulk ground Hot Italian sausage

1 lb.  Ground Chuck 

To assemble lasagna you will need:

A 13 x9 inch casserole dish

Fresh above sauce 

1-15 oz. Whole milk Ricotta

1-egg beaten

Shredded or sliced mozzarella cheese

Pecorino Romano cheese for top.

I package Barilla no boil lasagna pasta 

Here’s my baked lasagna

Fresh garlic and basil.  3 or 4 minced garlic.  3 large basil leaves.

I fried the ground (bulk) meat in olive oil while breaking it apart.  Added the garlic and then added  the sautéed  ground mixture it my crockpot with fresh basil.  Cooked on high for 2 hours.  Then low for 2hours. Delicious! 

Enjoy!

****Note:  this recipe can be made on top of the stove in a large Dutch oven making sure to stir often so it won’t stick to pan. Cover slightly with a lid.

A Grammie and Grandson moment 2022

Nate my helper in the kitchen when he was around 11.

Nate and me 2022.  He’s 23

This is my story and if it brings a chuckle it’ll be worth my taking a few minutes (15) to share it with you.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah to all and all who are reading this post. Xo

Here’s a funny true story to start your day.

Our grandson who was visiting this past weekend came bearing gifts.  A beautiful cheese cutting board and a Gouda cheese spread but the funniest actually “hilarious” gift was a huge piece of pumpkin cake with cream cheese icing. ( cooler packed).  He lives and goes to school in NC.

When he arrived very excited to see us He immediately after a few tight hugs said “Grammie I brought you a piece of Grandma’s pumpkin cake”.   I made her recipe.  I said thank you honey but I don’t like pumpkin.  

He looked at me confused and said but it’s Grandmas recipe.  I said I still don’t like pumpkin.  He looked at Poppy then said “it’s for you”.  Poppy said “I don’t like pumpkin either”.  

He then went to his Uncle Mark and his uncle laughed and  said “thanks Nate but I don’t like pumpkin either”.

I won’t say exactly how he reacted lol but threw his hands in the air lol and said Aunt Angela “ hopefully you like pumpkin “?? She said “ I do”.  

Then when they left she LEFT without it…lollol .IM STILL

LAUGHING!

We all laughed really lol lol tears in my eyes actually and Nate said “I guess I’ll bring the cake to my friend Katy” I know she loves pumpkin.  I sure hope she does!!!! End of story.  Happy ending.

  He assured me Katy loves pumpkin.

Those who don’t enjoy pumpkin  like me should get a few chuckles from this very true story.

This cookie recipe is one of the most popular on my blog.

https://iliketobakeandcook.blogspot.com/2019/12/pumpkin-cookies-soft-and-moist.html

I have to look up the pumpkin cake.  I have the recipe but don’t make it.😂😂😂

Merry Christmas!

Thinly sliced Roast Beef! One of our family favorites

Updated 7/15/2024

Updated version 12/19/2022

***I used a bottom round beef roast and placed in crockpot.  Added 1 package onion soup mix and water.  Note:  No searing this time.

Cook high 4 hours.

  I also strained liquid and made gravy on top of stove.

Approximately 2 cups room temperature strained liquid in a medium pot.  

 I Add water to make 

the 2 cups if there isn’t enough of drippings.

  Whisk approximately 3 T flour into warm liquid and heat on medium until it thickens.

Perfect!

Crockpot recipe of roast below.

2 1/2 lb. Eye round roast.

1 package onion soup mix

1  1/2 cups warm water.

Mix onion soup mix with warm water.  Set aside.

Sear roast in oil on all sides.  Place in crockpot.  Add onion soup mixture. 

Cover and cook on low approximately 3 hours or until meat thermometer registers beef. Allow to rest 10 minutes and slice.

Strain drippings.  Add to sliced beef.

This recipe would make awesome warm beef sandwiches (crusty rolls) or thicken juice for gravy or serve with yummy juice and sides.

For those who love beef you can't go wrong with this easy recipe. 

1/11/17

A good choice for a family dinner and nothing makes slicing easier than an electric knife! If you like your roasts sliced thin this is the way to go and it makes a great gift.  I love mine!

  I love my electric knife!  How many can say that?  If you don't have one it is a must!

For those of us who can't seem to get that roast cut thin enough this is a must have tool.  I have had mine for years and from Biscotti to Roasts this tool works wonders and slices perfectly. 

Slice thin

**3 # or more bottom round or eye round roast.  I usually use eye of round.

3 lb.(approx.) bottom round or eye round roast(Sear on top of stove for richer gravy color.

1 to 2 cups beef broth or stock ( I use Swanson)
canola oil
salt and pepper

Onion powder 

11/9/2020

Brown roast  in oil on top of stove with a few T of oil  adding pinch of salt and pepper and onion powder.

After you have seared/browned your roast, add broth, cover and bake in  350 degree oven for approx. 2 1/2 hours or until meat thermometer reaches desired temperature.  Remove from oven . Take roast from pan and cool slightly. It will slice better when it has rested a bit.

 ** Gravy: In the pan that has the drippings, skim any fat and add enough cold water to equal 2 cups. (if you have more drippings you will have to adjust flour amount). Whisk together while adding 5 T. Wondra quick mixing flour.  Place on medium heat and stir constantly until thickened and bring to a boil for approx. 1 minute.

Crockpot easy!  Follow recipe above).  Place roast in a crockpot after seasoning, add broth/stock and depending on how long you will be out either set on high for 3 to 4 hours or low for 6+ hours.

Remove from crockpot, thinly slice and serve Au jus with sides of choice.

FROM MY KITCHEN TO YOURS,

10/29/12 original 
6/20/13 
12/15/13

4:30/22

11/9/2020

Snowball cookies

                          Snowballs to the right!

Snow balls.

2 cups chopped pecans, 

2 cups all purpose flour, 

1/2 teaspoon salt, 

1 cup butter softened  ( I use salted butter do I don’t add any salt). 

1/4 cup granulated sugar,

 1 teaspoon vanilla, 

confectioners sugar to toss them in 

Cream butter , granulated sugar and vanilla , add flour, salt and mix well.

Stir in pecans, roll into 1 inch balls and bake at 350 11-13 minutes, when cooled roll in confectioners sugar this recipe makes about 4 dozen but doubles and triples very well