PUMPKINS, PUMPKINS, PUMPKINS!!!

Butterscotch Meringue Pie

Holiday Recipes Collection- A variation on an old classic, this meringue uses brown sugar instead of white. The result is a meringue that it is still light and delicious, but less sweet. It marries beautifully with the sweetness of the butterscotch filling.  CRUST  1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 TB sugar 1/8 tsp salt 3/4 cup unsalted butter, chilled, cut up 2-3 TB ice water  FILLING. 1/4 cup unsalted butter,cut up 1 cup packed brown sugar 1 1/4 cups whole milk,divided 1/2 cup heavy cream 1 egg 1 egg yolk 3 TB cornstarch  Dash salt  1 1/2 tsps vanilla extract  MERINGUE   1/3 cup water 1 TB cornstarch 4 egg whites 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 tsp cream of tarter   In large bowl, stir together flour,sugar and 1/8 tsp salt. With pastry blender or 2 knives, cut in 3/4 cup butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces. Add 2 TB of the water, stir until dough starts to form, adding additional water 1 tsp at a time,if needed. Shape into flat round; cover. Refreigerate at least 20 min.  On lightly floured surface,roll dough into 1/8-thick round (12-13 inches across). Fold dough in half; transfer to 9-inch pie plate. Gently ease dough into plate, without stretching. Trim to 1/2 inch beyond edge of pan. Flute edges. Freeze 20-30 min or until firm.  Meanwhile, heat oven to 375 degrees. Cover pie crust with foil. Fill with pie weights, beans or rice. Bake 25 min. Remove foil and weights; bake an additional 15-20 min or until crust is golden brown. Cool on wire rack. Reduce oven temp to 350 degrees. Melt 1/4 cup butter in med saucepan over med heat. Add 1 cup brown sugar; cook and stir 3 min or until sugar is melted and mixture is smooth. Whisk in 3/4 cup of the milk and cream. Cook whisking constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat.  In med bowl,  whisk together egg, egg yolk and remaining 1/2 cup milk. Whisk in 3 TB cornstarch and dash salt. Slowly whisk in hot sugar mixture. Pour into same saucepan. Cook over med-low heat, stirring constantly, 5 min or until thick. Strain into med bowl; stir in vanilla. Cover to keep warm. To make meringue, in small saucepan, combine 1/3 cup water and 1 TB cornstarch; mix well. Bring to boil over med heat. Boil 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Turn off heat; cover to keep warm. In large heatproof bowl, whisk together egg whites and 1/2 cup brown sugar. Place over pan of simmering water (bowl should not touch water); whisk constantly 1-2 min or until sugar has dissolved. (To test, remove bowl from heat and rub small amount of mixture between your fingers. It should feel smooth and silky,without any graininess.)  Remove from heat. Add cream of tarter, with electric mixer, beat at med speed until soft peaks form. With mixer running, add warm cornstarch mixture. Increase speed to med-high, beat 2-3 min or until meringue is shiny and stiff peaks form.  Heat filling until hot; pour into crust.  Working quickly, spread meringue evenly over hot filling, making sure meringue completely covers filling and touches crust on all edges. Use spoon to make decorative finish.  Bake at 350 degrees for 13-15 min or until meringue is golden brown. Cool on wire rack 2 hrs. Refrigerate. (Pie can be made up to 4 hrs ahead. Refrigerate.)  WINE  This butterscotch offering needs a rich dessert wine.  The nonvintage Barbadillo Olorosso Sherry from Spain is a full -flavored and moderately sweet wine. For an especially memorable pairing, try Castello di Brolio Vin Santo, Tuscany's most famous dessert wine. It has outstanding caramel and nut flavors. YIELD:  8 servings (Source: Lisa Saltzman-cooking school instructor- Eugene Oregon- Cooking Club of America)

Coney Sauce :)

Holiday Recipes Collection- A family favorite!!  1 lb hamburger (or ground turkey)  1 qt tomatoes, pureed 1 med fresh, or 2 Tbsp dried  1 clove fresh garlic, or 1 tsp granulated  1 or 2 Tbsp  2 tsp chili powder  1 tsp salt  1/2 tsp paprika  1/2 tsp allspice  1/2 tsp cumin  1/2 tsp oregano 1/2 tsp basil   Cook meat and mash into small chunks. Add tomatoes and spices.  Simmer and stir occasionally until reduced and thickened, about 1 to 2 hours. Crock pot would also work set on low for several hours. (Source: Florence MacSmith, 1979, courtesy of Dick Schutz)

Caramel-Pear Pie

Holiday Recipes Collection- Dough for 1 (9-inch) double-crust pie  3 TB all-purpose flour, divided  1 TB ground almonds 3 lb. Bartlett pears( about 6),peeled, quartered 1 TB pear or apple cognac, if desired 2 TB unsalted butter 1/2 cup sugar  Heat oven to 400 degrees. Line 9-inch pie pan with 1 circle of dough. Sprinkle 1 TB of the flour and ground almonds over bottom of crust; refrigerate while preparing filling.  Toss pears with cognac in large bowl. Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add sugar; cook and stir 7-8 min until golden brown.( At first, caramel will appear crystalized,followed by a separating of butter and sugar. It will smooth out as it begins to brown.) Whisk in remaining 2 TB flour until combined. Add pears; reduce heat to low. (Some of the caramel will harden.) Cook and stir 3-5 min or until caramel melts and coats pears. Place pears on pie crust; pour remaining caramel over pears.  Cut remaining circle of dough into 10 (3/4 inch wide) strips. Weave strips into lattice over pie filling, letting strips overhang pie pan. Trim strips to 1/2-inch overhang; fold under edge of bottom crust. Press down gently to seal; flute or crimp edge. Bake 45-55 min or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly, covering edges with foil after 20 min if browning too quickly. Cool on wire rack to room temperature. TIP:  If you're new to making caramel,reduce the heat to low as the sugar starts to carmelize to minimize the chances of getting too dark. Serve pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or drizzle of cr'eme fraiche.  8 servings  (Source: Cooking Club of America)

Brownie S'mores

Holiday Recipes Collection- 9 whole cinnamon graham crackers,halved crosswise  3/4 cup unsalted butter, cut up   4 oz. unsweetened chocolate,cosrsely chopped  1 cup sugar 1 cup packed light brown sugar 2 tsps vanilla extract  3 eggs, lightly beaten 1 cup all-purpose flour  1 1/2 cups semisweet or milk chocolate chips  35 regular-sized marshmallows    Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray bottom of 13 by 9 inch baking pan with cooking spray. Arrange graham crackers over bottom of pan, overlapping slightly or breaking to fit, if necessary.*  Melt butter and unsweetened chocolate in medium saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently. Remove from heat; stir in sugar, brown sugar and vanilla until blended and smooth; stir in flour. (Batter will be smooth,thick and shiny.)  Stir in chocolate chips. Spoon and gently spread over graham crackers.  Bake 35-40 min or until top is just set and toothpick inserted in center comes out with moist crumbs attached. Heat brolier. Place marshmallows on their sides evenly over top of brownies. Broil 30 seconds to 2 min or until marshmallows are puffed and tops are golden brown. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature.  TIP* Depending on the shape of your pan, you may have part of a graham cracker left over.  To cut brownies, spray cooking spray on a knife so it glides easily between the marshmallows.  35 bars  (Source: Cooking Club of America)

Baking Tip

UNSALTED butter vs SALTED butter- As a general rule always buy unsalted butter as you can add the desired salt as needed. If you buy the salted butter, you can never be sure of how much salt is already in the butter. It's better to be able to add salt vs having too much salt to begin with.(Source:Ina Garten-Food Network)

To all my viewers :)

HOLIDAY RECIPES are on the way!!! Any ideas or recipes please email me at katcramat@live.com.