November 25, 2008

Pie Crust

November 25th, 2008 by
Chef Thom Chef Thom

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Pie crust is pretty simple to make. The key to a flaky crust is patience.
This simple pie crust recipe will make a nice flaky crust if you take the time to mix the shortening in properly.
One Crust Pie Crust
(to make two crusts just double the ingredients)

1/3 cups plus 1 tablespoon chilled vegetable shortening
1 cup all-purpose unbleached flour, plus extra for rolling
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 to 3 tablespoons ice water

In a large bowl using a pastry blender, two knives, or a fork cut the shortening into the flour and salt. You want to keep blending it in until you have small pea size balls of the flour mix.
Add the water, one Tablespoon at a time mixing with a fork. Add water until all of the flour mix is moistened and the dough almost sticks to the sides of the bowl.
Lightly flour a surface where you can roll the dough.
Flour your hands and a rolling pin.
Form dough into a ball and roll out the dough going from the center out.
When rolling out the dough, rotate the rolling pin a quarter turn so you will be rolling out the dough in a circle.

This recipe is for your left over dough. In fact the other night I made some dough just to make these. I call them Pie Crust Swirls and they are something that disappear almost as soon as they come out of the oven. Yes they are that good.

Pie Crust Swirls
Roll out left over pie crust dough and lightly coat with butter.Next sprinkle granulated sugar and cinnamon over the butter and lightly pat in place.
Starting at one end roll the dough into a tight tube, pinch the ends so nothing comes out.
Bake in a 450 degree oven for about 35 minutes or until golden brown. Remove, cool, slice, and serve.

Pie crust dough coated with butter

Pie crust dough coated with butter

pie crust with cinnamon and sugar

pie crust with cinnamon and sugar

Pie crust swirls

Pie crust swirls

March 28, 2007

Easy Sandwiches

March 28th, 2007 by
Chef Thom Chef Thom

Sandwiches can make a great quick meal or snack.
They don’t have to be plain, though.
Here is a couple of easy sandwiches to make that
taste fantastic. The Reuben is a classic and the
Ham is a little different but real good.
Speaking of ham sandwiches, growing up it was common
to be able to go into any deli or dinner and order a half and half
sandwich. Now adays with very few exceptions when I ask for one
I just get a strange look. Do you know what a half and half is?
The answer is at the bottom of this post.

REUBEN SANDWICH

8 slices pumpernickel or dark bread
1/2 lb. thinly sliced corned beef
1 (8 oz.) can well drained sauerkraut
2 tbsp. Thousand Island dressing
4 sliced Swiss cheese

Toast bread and arrange four slices on paper plates. Top each slice with corned beef, then sauerkraut, salad dressing, and cheese. Top with other slices of bread. Cook uncovered 3 to 3 1/2 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Serve immediately.

SUPER HAM SANDWICHES

1 stick margarine
1/4 c. mustard
1/4 c. minced onion
1 lb. shaved deli ham
1 lb. Mozzarella cheese, sliced
3 pans ready to serve finger rolls

Saute onion in margarine. Add mustard. Split each pan of rolls and brush both sides with mixture. Layer on cheese and ham. Return to roll pan and cover with foil. Heat in 350 degree oven until cheese is melted. Cut into individual sandwiches. more

March 24, 2007

German Cheesecake

March 24th, 2007 by
Chef Thom Chef Thom

While I’m on this German cake recipe kick, I have to share this one with you.
There was a member of the country club I worked at who had clients visiting often from Germany. This German cheesecake was always requested by them as it reminded them of home. It takes a little time to make, and I guess it wouldn’t fall into the easy recipe category. But it is worth the effort and if you want to try something a little different that is so deliciously good you have to give it a try.

Rich Biscuit Dough
1 cup flour
� teaspoon baking powder
� cup sugar
2 tablespoons butter
1 egg yolk
2 tablespoons milk

Mix flour, baking soda, and sugar together.
Rub in the butter with your fingers.
Mix egg yolk and milk together and add to dry ingredients, blend thoroughly.
Butter or grease a nine inch square or spring form pan.
Roll out dough and press into bottom of pan, it is ok to bring it up the sides of the pan.

Filling
4 cups cottage cheese
4 lightly beaten eggs
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
� cup melted butter
1 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
� teaspoon almond extract
� teaspoon salt
� cups raisins lightly floured

Press cottage cheese through a strainer to remove moisture.
Combine the cottage cheese with all the other ingredients except the raisins.
Gently add the raisins.
Pour mixture into the pan.
Bake for 15 minutes at 450 degrees, turn down oven to 375 degrees and bake for an additional hour. Cool and serve.

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