Cran-Apple Pie

As most of you know by now I am "crust-challenged, but I have found a solution to my dilemma. Cookie Cutters ! Cranberries are in season, now is the time to buy for "now and later". I have a few bags tucked into the freezer, who says we can't eat cranberries year round ? Since I already had sliced apples in the freezer, this was a quick dessert.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Cran-Apple Pie Recipe

4 cups fresh apples
2 cups fresh cranberries
3/4 cups sugar
1 Tbsp. flour

Combine apples and cranberries in a large bowl, toss with sugar and flour and set aside.

Pie Crust Recipe

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2/3 cup shortening
6 Tbsp. cold water

Combine flour and salt, cut in shortening until mixture is crumbly. Add water and mix well. Divide dough in half. On a lightly floured board roll out dough about 12 inches round. Roll up pastry on rolling pin and roll out into pie plate. Roll out second piece of dough and cut out shapes.

Pour fruit into pie shell and place cut-outs on top, sealing at edges. Brush with milk, sprinkle with sugar. Bake about 45-50 minutes, or until crust is lightly browned and fruit is tender.

Mushroom Soup

“Good soup is one of the prime ingredients of good living. For soup can do more to lift the spirits and stimulate the appetite than any other one dish.” Louis P. De Gouy, The Soup Book (1949)

If you are a regular visitor to my blog, you know by now that if you are looking for gourmet, you won't find it here, just simple home cooking. Well, throw away the cans ladies and gents, this mushroom soup has short prep time and is ready in 30 minutes. OMG, it is soooooo good !

Mushroom Soup Recipe

4 Tbsp. butter
2 onions, chopped
1 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 Tbsp. paprika
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup half-n-half
3 Tbsp. flour
Salt & Pepper, to taste
1 Tbsp. dried parsley
1 cup sour cream, room temperature

In a soup pot melt butter and sautee onions till translucent, add mushrooms and cook for about 5 minutes. Stir in broth and paprika. Cover and simmer 15 minutes. Whisk flour and milk together and add to pot, simmer covered for an additional 15 minutes.

Stir in salt & pepper and parsley. Remove from heat and stir in sour cream.

Serve immediately with crusty bread.

Ravioli

Another way to use Thanksgiving leftovers that doesn't involve turkey which, if like me, you are probably pretty burnt out on. I made a basic pasta dough using whole wheat flour and filled it with sweet potato, cranberry sauce and a bit of goat cheese from the Lake Erie Creamery. After boiling I gently placed them in some browned butter in skillet till just coated. First time making pasta and I have to admit it is better than the processed stuff you buy at the grocer.

Following are the steps taken. Divide dough up and roll out, I used a biscuit cutter because I wanted uniform shapes. Each round received 1 tsp. of mashed sweet potato, 1/2 tsp. cranberry sauce and a smidgen of goat cheese. Lightly brush edges with water and seal with a fork.

Drop in boiling water, they are done when they float to the surface, remove with slotted spoon and transfer to skillet with browned butter.

Pasta Dough Recipe

2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2 eggs, beaten
1/3 cup cold water
1 tsp. olive oil

Combine dry ingredients, make a well in center. Mix eggs, water and oil and add to dry ingredients. Turn out on well floured board and knead for 10 minutes, until dough is smooth and elastic. Divide dough in fourths, roll each fourth into a 12 inch square. Cut as desired.

Slow-Food Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving The year has turned its circle, The seasons come and go. The harvest all is gathered in And chilly north winds blow. Orchards have shared their treasures, The fields, their yellow grain, So open wide the doorway~ Thanksgiving comes again! ~Old Rhyme

Happy Thanksgiving !

Roasted root vegetables, corn and green beans from summer harvest, Amish-raised turkey and cornbread dressing.