Showing posts with label Pioneer Woman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pioneer Woman. Show all posts

Thursday, March 7, 2013

. . . Sinfully Good Pecan Pie . . .

Is there really anything The Pioneer Woman makes that isn't good?  I have never tried a recipe of hers and been disappointed and this Pecan Pie was no different.  It is amazing, the best, over the top...

I have always been scared away from Pecan Pie for some reason but about a year or two ago I watched my mom make one and it was so darn easy that I couldn't believe I had never attempted it.  It's one of my favorite pies to eat but always thought it was so hard to prepare.  Nope...simple as "pie".

I know we all tend to think of Pecan Pie for fall but I could eat it all year round so I decided to go ahead and share this super yummy recipe for both the pie and the crust.  Enjoy!

Crust Recipe 

1-1/2 Cups Crisco
3 cups All-purpose Flour
1 whole Egg
5 Tablespoons Cold Water
1 Tablespoon White Vinegar
1 teaspoon Salt

Preparation Instructions

In a large bowl, with a pastry cutter, gradually work the Crisco into the flour for about 3 or 4 minutes until it resembles a coarse meal. In a small bowl, beat an egg with a fork and then pour it into the flour/shortening mixture. Add 5 tablespoons of cold water, 1 tablespoon of white vinegar and 1 teaspoon of salt. Stir together gently until all of the ingredients are incorporated.

Separate the dough into thirds. Form 3 evenly sized balls of dough and place each dough into a large Ziploc bag. Using a rolling pin, slightly flatten each ball of dough (about ½ inch thick) to make rolling easier later. Seal the bags and place them in the freezer until you need them. (If you will be using it immediately it’s still a good idea to put in the freezer for about 15 to 20 minutes to chill.)

When you are ready to use the dough to make a crust, remove from the freezer and allow to thaw for 15 minutes. On a floured surface roll the dough, starting at the center and working your way out. (Sprinkle some flour over top of the dough if it’s a bit too moist.) If the dough is sticking to the counter use a metal spatula and carefully scrape it up and flip it over and continue rolling until it’s about ½ inch larger in diameter than your pie pan.

With a spatula, lift the dough carefully from the surface of the counter into the pie pan. Gently press the dough against the corner of the pan. Go around the pie pan pinching and tucking the dough to make a clean edge.

Pecan Pie Recipe

1 whole Unbaked Pie Crust
1 cup White Sugar
3 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 cup Corn Syrup
3/4 teaspoons Vanilla
1/3 cup Melted Butter (salted)
3 whole Eggs, Beaten
1 cup (heaping) Chopped Pecans

Preparation Instructions

Prepare your pie crust using recipe from above.

Next, mix sugar, brown sugar, salt, corn syrup, butter, eggs and vanilla together in a bowl.

Pour chopped pecans in the bottom of the unbaked pie shell.

Pour syrup mixture over the top. Cover top and crust lightly/gently with foil. Bake pie at 350ยบ for 30 minutes. Remove foil, then continue baking for 20 minutes, being careful not to burn the crust or pecans.

NOTE: PIE SHOULD NOT BE OVERLY JIGGLY WHEN YOU REMOVE IT FROM THE OVEN. If it shakes a lot, cover with foil and bake for an additional 20 minute or until set. Required baking time seems to vary widely with this recipe. Sometimes it takes 50 minutes; sometimes it takes 75!
 
Allow to cool for several hours or overnight. Serve with Cool Whip.
 
 • Gather ingredients for pie crust and pecan pie recipe
• For Pie Crust work the Crisco into the flour with a pastry blender
• Beat 1 egg
• Add egg, water, salt and vinegar to your flour mixture and blend well

• Divide dough into three balls
• Place balls in three separate gallon sized Ziploc bags
• Roll out in the bags and freeze.  For the one you are going to use right away place in a pie dish and shape edges and set aside while you mix up your pie

• For pie you will mix all your ingredients together except the pecans
• Place pecans in prepared pie shell
• Pour syrup mixture over pecans
• Bake then cool completely then serve!  Yummy

This pie is so good and super simple as well!  I hope you enjoy it as much as we did at our house.  I can't wait to make it again soon.

Monday, January 14, 2013

. . . Baked French Toast . . .

Over the holidays I had several occasions to make a special breakfast and this recipe from The Pioneer Woman was one of our favorites.  Everyone that had it just raved over it which is always nice.  The great thing about this recipe was how well it reheated even a day or two later.  I served it with some fresh fruit and it was the perfect breakfast for guests.  Easy and delicious!


You will need:
French Toast:
 Butter, For Greasing
1 loaf Crusty Sourdough Or French Bread
8 whole Eggs
2 cups Whole Milk
1/2 cup Heavy Cream
1/2 cup Sugar
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
2 Tablespoons Vanilla Extract
  • • •
Topping:
1/2 cup Flour
1/2 cup Firmly Packed Brown Sugar
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon Salt
Freshly Grated Nutmeg, Optional
1 stick Cold Butter, Cut Into Pieces
  • • •
Warm Syrup, For Serving
Butter, For Serving
 • Gather ingredients
• Cut your loaf of bread into bite sized chunks
• Use butter to coat a 9x13 baking dish and place bread in the baking dish
• Mix up the eggs, milk, cream, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla.
**I used 1 Cup of Egg Nog and 1 Cup of Half and Half instead of the 2 cups of milk--yummy!

• Pour the liquid mixture evenly over the bread. Cover the pan tightly and store in the fridge until needed (overnight preferably)
• For the topping mix the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt and some nutmeg in a separate bowl. Stir together using a fork. Add the butter and with a pastry cutter, and mix it all together until the mixture resembles fine pebbles. (Mine didn't crumble the way it was supposed to so my picture above isn't the best example but it still tasted amazing).  Store in a plastic bag in the fridge. 

 • When you are ready to bake the casserole you will uncover it and crumble the topping over the entire casserole and bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes for a softer toast or about an hour for a crispier toast
• Remove from oven and cut into pieces and serve with butter and a pat of butter.  Add some fresh cut fruit and your breakfast is complete!

Yummy!



Good to the last bite