My Apple Pie

Another family favourite. The pastry recipe is on the Tenderflake Lard package and the apple filling recipe came from a neighbour of mine whom I lived next to for two years. Nice young lady, can't remember her name :(

Ingredients
Crust
1-1lb Tenderflake lard (this is the only brand I use because it comes out best) and follow recipe on back.

Filling
10 large diced apples (firm apples works best)
3/4 to 1 cup sugar
Cinnamon
2 to 3 tbsp flour
Pinch of salt
1/4 cup margarine or butter

1 egg for egg wash

Directions
In a large mixing bowl, mix all the apple filling ingredients adding as much cinnamon as you lik, place aside.

To make crust follow recipe on back of package.

Divide dough into how many portions for double crusted pie. I usually get 2 large pies.
With a well floured hands and surface, roll out dough slightly larger than the pie plate. Sprinkle some flour on top, fold in half, then half again resembling a triangle. Place aside. This will be the bottom of the pie. Do the same for the top crusts, cutting off the tip with a knife about 1 inch to allow for steam to escape.
Carefully transfer bottom rolled dough onto pie plates. Divide apple filling into plates and add the pie top crusts. Cut off excess dough by running a knife along the edge of the plate.

Pinch ends then with a knife, make several cuts on top of the pie(s) for more steam to escape. Make an egg wash and brush on pie.

Bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes, then reduce to 350 degrees and bake until the open center begins to bubble and the crust turns golden.
#applepie #homemadepies

Almond Biscotti

Found this recipe in an Our Compliments food magazine and found this to be my favourite. It's worth the time to make them :)



Ingredients
1 1/3 cups whole toast almonds         325ml
3 cups all purpose flour                       750ml
1 2/3 cups sugar                                  400ml
1/2 tsp salt                                               2ml
1 tsp baking powder                                5ml
2 lemons - grated rind only                      2
1 orange - grated rind only                       1
3 large eggs                                              3
1 tsp vanilla extract                                  5ml
1/3 cup canola oil                                    75ml

1 milk chocolate bar                                85g
2 tbsp butter                                            25ml



Directions
Grease and lightly flour two baking sheets. (I found it best using parchment paper).
In a bowl, mix together all purpose flour, sugar salt and baking powder.
In a large bowl whisk rind, eggs, vanilla and oil.
Add dry ingredients to egg mixture combining to form a soft dough.
Stir in whole almonds.
With well floured hands, gather dough into a ball. Divide dough in three equal parts.
On a well floured surface, roll each piece of dough into a 12"x2" log.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes,
Slice logs at a slight diagonal into 5/8" wide pieces. Turn biscotti onto cut side.
Bake at 300 degrees for 10 to15 minutes on each side.

Let cool.

Chocolate Drizzle: In a double boiler, melt milk chocolate and butter together, stirring constantly until melted. Using fork, drizzle chocolate on top of each biscotti.
Yield: 54 biscotti
#biscotti #italiancookies #almonds

Banana Cake

My favourite Banana Cake recipe. Great for banana chocolate chips muffins too. Made these for my children many times when we had too many ripe bananas! !

Preheat oven 350 degrees F.

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup shortening or vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (4 or 5)
2 eggs slightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup milk with a few drops of lemon juice
2 1/4 cups flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Directions
Mix together sugar, oil, bananas, eggs, vanilla, milk and lemon juice in one bowl.
Then mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in another bowl.
Add flour mixture a little at a time to banana mixture. Add chocolate chips if using.
Mix well.  Put in 13x9 pan, greased and floured. Bake 30-35 minutes.

#bananacake #bananamuffins #bananachocolatechipmuffins

Oven Fried Rice

Given to me by my sister-in-law Anna, this is also a longtime family favourite!
Soooo simple and delicious you'll be surprised :)

Ingredients
2 cups Uncle Ben's Rice
3 cups boiling water
1 chicken breast chopped up
1 beef bouillon
1 celery stalk chopped fine
1 small chopped finely onion
1 cup frozen peas and carrots
1 can of mushrooms
1 pkg onion soup mix
soya sauce

Directions
Fry chicken and onions.
Add all the ingredients to an oven roaster.
Cover and bake 1 hour at 350 degrees, stirring half way.

#chickenrice #friedrice

Basic Pancakes

I acquired this from my sister Pina a long time ago. Best pancake recipe I have tried.
My daughter Sarah likes them with chocolate chips and I like them with blueberries!

Ingredients
1 cup flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg
1 cup milk
2 tbsp butter melted and slightly cooled

Directions
1.  Sift together the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt.
2.  Beat the egg, milk and butter until blended.
3.  Pour milk mixture into dry ingredients and strike enough to moisten the dry
     Ingredients.
4.  Heat a griddle and lightly grease it. Drop the batter from the tip of a large
     spoon or a 1/4 cup measure and bake until entire surface of the pancake
     Is dotted with bubbles.
5.  Turn and bake the other side just until brown. Keep warm in a 200*F oven
      Until all the pancakes are cooked.
#pancakes

Pitelluzzi-Zucchini Fritters

My darling mother's recipe - Angela and my family's summertime favorite!
If you love zucchini you'll love this recipe.

Ingredients
1 small zucchini
2 eggs
Salt, pepper
1 garlic minced
1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese
1 cup flour
1 cup water (or as needed)
Zucchini flowers torn (about 12)
Vegetable oil

Directions
Slice the zucchini lengthwise in quarters, then thinly cut crosswise. Place in small bowl sprinkle with salt and let stand for about one hour or longer. This will create water and soften the zucchini. Drain.
In a bowl mix together the eggs, salt, pepper, garlic, parsley and Parmesan cheese. Add water and flour just until mixed. Mix in zucchini and zucchini flowers. Batter should be like pancake consistency. If too dry add more water, if too much liquid and more flour.

Heat a deep large frying pan on medium heat with enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan. Drop large tablespoonfuls of zucchini mix and fry till golden brown. Turn over. When cooked, place on paper towel lined platter to drain.

Be careful when you eat them! They are so delicious you won't want to wait till they cool down!
#zucchini #zucchiniflowers

Meatballs

Ingredients
2 slices or 1 roll day old bread soaked in water-optional Seasoned Italian breadcrumbs
1 egg
Salt, pepper
1 lb triple mix, ground beef, pork and veal Chopped parsley
Directions
After soaking the bread for a few minutes, drain well and break up to resemble crumbs. In a large bowl, whisk the egg, salt, pepper and cheese. Add the meat, bread/breadcrumbs, cheese and parsley. Shape and place in cooking sauce. Alternately you can freeze for future use.