Coconut Cream Pie

This is an excellent recipe for a super tasty pie and makes me want one right now!!!

Ingredients:

3 cups scalded milk (whole milk if possible)

1 1/2 cup sugar

5 tbs cornstarch

1/2 tsp salt

3 eggs, separated

1/2 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup coconut

Meringue topping:

3 egg whites from filling (optional:2 extra whites)

1/2 tsp cream of tartar

6 tbs sugar

In a saucepan, scald milk. Do not boil, just cook over medium heat until bubbles start to form around the edge of pan. Combine sugar, cornstarch, salt, egg yolks, vanilla, and coconut. Add small amount of scalded milk to mixture and stir, then add combined mixture to remaining milk in saucepan. Cook until mixture thickens to pudding consistency, stirring constantly. This will take about 20 minutes total. It will not start to thicken until about 9 minutes in. Cool slightly and poor into 9-inch baked pie shell. Cover with meringue and be sure to seal the edges. Sprinkle meringue with coconut if desired. Bake at 350 for about 10 minutes or until meringue is slightly browned.

Meringue directions:

I usually add 2 extra egg whites to the 3 left from the pie filling.

Beat eggs whites and gradually add sugar and cream of tartar until stiff peaks form. Top pie!

Pie Crust:

3 cups flour

1 1/2 cup Crisco

1 tsp salt

1 egg

1 tbs vinegar

5 tbs cold water

Cut Crisco into flour until size of small peas, using a pastry blender. Add remaining ingredients and mix. Sometimes you just gotta get your hands in there:) When dough comes together form into 3 balls and roll onto floured surface. Gently lay rolled crust into pie plate and pierce bottom with a fork in several places. This recipe should make 3 9-inch crusts. Somehow I usually only get about 2 1/2. Bake crust at 450 for 10 minutes or until golden if recipe calls for baked crust. Dough may be frozen for later use. If you are not in a hurry, refridgerate dough before baking to prevent shrinkage.

Sorry, no picture on this one..I may just have to bake one today and post a picture!

Homemade Graham Crackers and Over the Moon Pies

I just made up the name..you like?

Homemade Graham Crackers (recipe borrowed from http://www.bakingbites.com/)

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 3/4 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 cup cold butter, cut in 1/2 inch cubes

2 tbls honey

2 tbls molasses

1/4 cup cold water

1 tsp vanilla

In a food processor combine first 6 ingredients. Add butter and pulse for about 30 seconds until a course meal forms. Add remaining ingredients and pulse until a ball starts to form, about another 30 seconds. Scrape dough onto a sheet of parchment paper and top with another sheet. Roll dough to about 1/8 inch thick. Chill for several hours. (I put in the freezer right before pulling out to work with). Remove and roll out if not 1/8 of an inch already. Cut immediately with a pizza cutter into desired shape. Place on parchment paper, poke holes in the top of each with a toothpick, and bake for appox 15 minutes at 350. They should be slightly browned and firm to the touch. If you prefer, sprinkle with sugar before last 5 minutes of baking.

These are good by themselves, but even better covered in chocolate or made into moon pies. I had trouble keeping them crisp to just eat as crackers.

Over the Moon Pies

Use my recipe for homemade marshmallows posted here: Homemade Marshmallows

Immediately after marshmallows are done whipping in the mixer, spoon desired amount between two grahams and coat with chocolate. I used both the quick melt coating and also made a chocolate glaze to try:

2 - 1 oz blocks of unsweetened semi-sweet chocolate
2 tbs butter
2 tbs boiling water
1 cup sifted powdered sugar

Melt butter and chocolate together, then add boiling water and sugar until smooth. Pour over marshmallow sandwiches. Chill to get glaze to firm up.

I think I prefer the flavor of the milk chocolate coating although the glaze looks prettier. I just couldn't get the milk chocolate as thin as I would've liked, but it had a more traditional moon pie taste.

Note: you will have tons of marshmallow filling left so go ahead and spray a pan and spread remaining in to make traditional marshmallows. You'll be glad you did!

These are worth the effort and SOOO tasty. Kids and adults alike will enjoy them.

Ramen Noodle Slaw

1 pkg chicken flavored Ramen noodles

6 cups shredded cabbage (I used about 5 green, and 1 red)

1 cup grated carrots

1 bunch green onions, chopped

1/2 cup toasted sunflower seeds ( I used a little less)

1/2 cup sliced almonds (also used a little less)

1/2 cup vegetable oil

3 Tbs sugar

3-5 Tbs vinegar (used about 4)

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

Remove seasoning packet from noodles and set aside. Crush noodles and combine with next 4 ingredients in a large bowl. Combine seasoning packet with the remaining ingredients and beat with a wire wisk. Pour over cabbage mixture and toss gently to coat. Cover and chill overnight. Tastes best the 2nd day.

This is a great salad for showers...or as a side when guests are coming because you make it ahead of time. I love it. Of course, you can cheat with the pre-cut coleslaw mix, but I think cutting your own is much fresher..and cheaper. Use 1/2 to make this slaw and then the remaining for Texas 2 step slaw...just a suggestion :)

Alternative presentation: Do not mix noodles in, but rather crumble on top of salad before serving for extra crunch.

Texas Two-step Slaw

Food Friday-a day early

3 cups coleslaw mix (I made my own used green and purple slaw plus grated carrots)
1/4 cup Mexicorn, drained
1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped
2 tbs chopped red onion
1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup ranch salad dressing (I made homemade-well, used the mix+mayo+milk)
1 1/2 tsp lime juice
1/2 tsp cumin

Combine the first 6 ingredients in a large bowl. Combine dressing, lime juice, and cumin and then pour over slaw. Toss to coat. Chill for a few hours before serving.

I'd say the homemade ranch is the way to go...but in pinch bottled ranch would be just fine. Enjoy!

I'm serving this with my kitchen sink Mexican casserole: corn tortillas, refried beans, Spanish rice, mexicorn and green chilis, enchilada meat sauce (meat, onion, Enchilada seasoning, tomato sauce, water), sour cream and cheese, flour tortillas, more beans and rice, more meat sauce, and more cheese. Sounds like alot, but bound to be tasty!

Cornbread Casserole

This stuff is sooooo good, please try it...like NOW.

1 stick butter, melted
1 container sour cream (80z)
1 small can green chilis (I used Hot and they are not really hot, but these add excellent flavor to the dish)
1 can cream style corn
1 can whole kernal corn (do not drain)
2 eggs (optional, but I have added them every time)
1 box Jiffy corn bread mix
1 Tbs sugar (optional)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Combine all ingredients in a large box except the cheese. Add the corn bread mix last. Pour in a greased 9x13 baking dish. Bake at 350 for approx 30 minutes. Top with the shredded cheese and return to the oven for 5 to 10 more minutes.

Feel free to add drained ground beef and maybe some onion for a one dish meal. I may try taco meat next time I make this. I think I'll layer it in the middle...how good does this sound?!

Chocolate pudding dessert

14 graham crackers (approx)
1 pkg chocolate pudding
2 cups milk
1 cup Cool Whip
1 can Cherry pie filling

Combine milk and pudding as directed on package. Blend in cool whip. Place a single layer of graham crackers on the bottom of 9 inch square pan. Place 1/2 pudding mix on crackers. Layer with another layer graham crackers and then the remaining pudding. Add one final layer of graham crakers and then top with pie filling. Refridgerate for several hours before serving.

I doubled for a 9x13 pan.

This is such a great summer dessert. The crackers become cakelike and the tart pie filling is a great compliment to the smooth chocolate pudding mixture. This can also be made with vanilla pudding.

Cake Mix Cookies (Strawberry in this case)

So, I'm thinking about added a new recipe every Friday...Fabulous Food Friday, maybe??? I don't have much willpower on any day of the week, but Friday's are BAD. I tend to bake because I find Friday to be celebratory. Here is today's Fabulous Food Friday post. Don't be surprised if most of FFF's are desserts!

Cake Mix Cookies-in this cake Strawberry White Chocolate Chip

1 box Duncan Hines Strawberry Supreme cake mix
2 large eggs
1/2 cup oil
1 tsp vanilla (optional)...I feel like every cookie deserves vanilla
3/4 cup white chocolate chips

Mix well and roll into balls and place at least 2 inches apart on cookie sheet. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 10 - 12 minutes. Be careful not to over cook.

I can't wait to try other combinations - lemon, orange, devil's food, butter. I think cake mixes are great. How about lemon cranberry or chocolate butterscotch. The combinations are endless. Let me know if you have any other fabulous combinations.