Baking

Apple pie

Homemade Apple Pie

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Independence Day is almost here and it is time to break out the classic American recipes. Hot dogs and hamburgers are standard barbecue foods, but so it a delicious baked dessert to finish off the grilled feast. This week, the column features three simple pie recipes. The preparation time is limited, so it won’t keep you from enjoying the day with your friends and family. Each pie uses just enough sugar to bring out the natural sweetness in these fruits, without covering it up. Since these dessert are so easy to make, you may want to sprinkle a bit of sugar on your apron just to show how you slaved over a hot stove to bring a homemade pie to the table. * If you wish to opt for something quicker to prepare, try the Winter Fruit Salad. Save the best for last with any of these pies. The American Apple Pie is sure to be a favorite at Fourth of July gatherings, but is equally perfect for a holiday feast during colder months. Each slice successfully boasts the natural flavor of fresh apple and the home-sweet-home taste of cinnamon. Kristen’s Key Lime Pie is easier than you could imagine, especially if you use a pre-made crust. Its refreshing flavor comes from the tangy juice of the key lime. Since fresh key limes are pricey and not readily available in all regions, you may choose to opt for the bottled juice. You won’t remember why you ever used cherry pie filling after you try the Very Cherry Pie. The ingredients work to bring out the natural flavors in the cherries and the result is a light and delicious dessert. These desserts will bring new meaning to the phrase “Easy as Pie.” Continue reading →
Pound Cake | EvinOK

My Grandma’s Classic Pound Cake

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This week marks what would have been my grandma’s 104th birthday. She is remembered for many things from her stubbornness to her cooking -- I am proud to have inherited both those attributes. Just as there is no way I can forget the warmth of her hugs, it is impossible to forget the comfort her cooking offered. She made even the simplest foods special. I have shared her recipes in previous columns, most notably her corn pudding. Now, I am sharing her coveted baking recipes! Mary’s Pound Cake spares no calories to bring the true taste of pound cake to your kitchen. Grandma’s Brownies pays tribute to our family’s addiction to chocolate. Aunt Mary’s Bread Pudding is the essential comfort food that goes well as a fancy dessert or a get well soon snack. I named it “Aunt Mary” because this is a favorite of my cousins’. These are almost verbatim from her recipe cards and much simpler than my own writing style. Since she only wrote them for herself she didn’t feel the need to include step-by-step instructions. I’ve supplied more detailed instructions to help you make these same delicious baked goods! Continue reading →
Strawberry Salad | EvinOK

So Berry Good! Strawberry Adventures in Your Kitchen

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Today marks the start of the 64th Annual West Virginia Strawberry Festival. So, when you are not having strawberry adventures on “Strawberry Lane” you can have them in your very own kitchen. After all, the festival only lasts for five sweet days, but the berries can be enjoyed for much longer. Conor (my fiancé) and I grow strawberries in our garden, which makes us choosy about how we use our berries. Provided, we grow two different kinds so some are small and others are like those in the grocery market. The smaller ones don’t lend as much visual punch to recipes, but work well if you use enough of them. The three recipes for this week have larger berries in mind. Each of these recipes is a good addition to any dinner, but they also transport well so spoil yourself and include them in your brown bag lunch next time you need something fun in the middle of the work day. Maureen’s Strawberry Green Salad has the unique distinction of being as quick to prepare as it is to devour. It brings new simplicity to making your own fresh salad dressing. You can almost picture high tea when you taste the Creamy Strawberry Pecan Spread on a warm biscuit. This recipe also works with frozen strawberries in a pinch. I couldn’t be happier with the Mascarpone & Strawberry Tart. This recipe is the result of my desire to combine the delicate texture of a tart with the comforting nature of pie. The result is perfection – or so Conor exclaimed after tasting a bite. I hope that you agree when you try these recipes when you have your own strawberry adventure. Continue reading →
whipped nutella icing | EvinOK

Whipped Nutella Icing

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We did it, folks! We’ve made it through September with the back-to-school madness, creche-itis, schedule adapting, post-summer let-down, and crazy weather. It’s time to celebrate and treat ourselves a little. And what three words sound better than… “whipped Nutella icing”? Maybe... Continue reading →