November 22, 2012

Apple Cider Pie


Pastry for a double crust pie
3 lb. Golden Delicious apples peeled, cored, cut into 3/4-inch slices, and then halved
2/3 cup apple cider
1/2 to 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar to taste
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
3 Tbs. cornstarch
Make the filling In a large  pot, mix the apples, all but 2 Tbs. of the cider, the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring often, until the sugar has dissolved and the apples are evenly coated. Mix the cornstarch and remaining 2 Tbs. cider into a paste; add this to the apples. Stirring constantly, boil until the liquid is thickened and clear, about 1 minute. (you're not cooking the apples, just thickening the juices). Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Remove from the heat and let cool.

eat the oven to 425°F. Prepare a double pie crust in a 9-inch pie pan and fill the shell. then cover with second crust. Cut at least three vent holes. Bake on the middle rack until the crust is golden and the apples are tender when pierced with a knife, about 55 minutes. If the top starts browning too quickly, tent the pie with foil. Placing a cookie sheet on rack below pie will help keep spills contained.

November 16, 2012

Cream Cheese Potatoes

8-9 potatoes, cooked and then cubed
1 (8 ounce) pkg of cream cheese room temperature
1 cup milk
1 stick of butter
Small Finely chopped onion

Whip potatoes with butter and milk in mixer. Then add cream cheese and beat. Add Onion,(sometimes I use garlic, somedays this is left out) Salt and Pepper to taste. Beat together and put in buttered casserole dish. (Occasionally I put a cup or so of sour cream in it at this point) Sprinkle with paprika. Bake in oven at 350 degrees until cooked throughout.

Easy to make these the day before and  then do the baking an hour before serving.

November 9, 2012

Greeny's Lasagna


Lasagna Noodles
3 quarts of water
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
16 strips white or green lasagna noodles

Cheese and Egg Mixture
1 egg
1 (1-lb.) carton small curd cottage cheese
1/2 (1-lb.) carton ricotta cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Meat Sauce
1-1/2 lbs. lean ground beef (I have also mixed in ground sausage & shredded chicken)
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 (1-lb) cans stewed tomato
2 (16-oz.) can tomato sauce
1 (6-oz.) can tomato paste
2 tablespoons dried parsley flakes
1/3 cup dry red wine (optional)
2 garlic cloves, pressed
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Salt to taste

1 lb. mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced

Prepare Meat Sauce. Butter a 13" x 9" baking dish; set aside. Bring water to a rapid boil in a heavy 5-quart pot or Dutch oven. Add salt and oil. Gradually add lasagna noodles being sure the water continues to boil. Cook noodles uncovered until tender but firm, stirring occasionally. Drain.  In a medium bowl, beat egg, stir in cottage cheese, ricotta cheese and parmesan cheese; mix thoroughly.  Place a thin layer of Meat Sauce in the prepared dish.  Layer 4 lasagna noodles on top of sauce. Spread ¼ of the cheese mixture over noodles and cover the layer with ¼ of the meat sauce. Arrange mozzarella cheese slices over sauce. Repeat 3 times with remaining noodles, cheese mixture and meat mixture. Place in cold oven. Set temperature control at 375°F (190°C). Bake 20 minutes. Remove lasagna from oven. Cut remaining mozzarella cheese into thin strips and arrange on lasagna. Bake 10 minutes longer. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

November 2, 2012

Oven-fried Haddock


1 lb. to 1½ lbs. Haddock Fillets
Seasoned Bread Crumbs (we like Italian)
1 egg
½ cup Melted Butter or Margarine
1 Tablespoon Water

Beat egg with water and dip fish in this egg mixture.  Roll in crumbs (on wax paper). Place fish in shallow baking pan. Pour melted butter over the top. Bake in a 500 degree oven until brown and flaky about 10-12 minutes