Bev's Recipe Collection

Basic Pie Crust

Yield: 1 9-inch pie crust

1 1/4 cup flour (freshly milled)
1 Tbs honey granules (sugar)
1/4 tsp salt
8 Tbs cold butter, cut into pieces
3 Tbs very cold water

Combine the flour, sugar, and salt in a bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or in a processor). Mix briefly (or pulse in processor).  Add the butter pieces and mix on medium-low speed (or pulse) until the mixture resembles coarse sand and the butter pieces are not much bigger than peas. Mix in the cold water until the dough comes together. Shape the dough into a ball, wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. (This dough can be frozen for up to 2 months.) Roll the chilled pie dough into a 12″ circle. Line a 9-inch pie plate with the dough. Trim, fold and crimp the edges. Prick all over with a fork (this will help prevent air bubbles). Cover with plastic wrap and freeze for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 375. Before placing in the oven, prick all over the crust with a fork (this will help eliminate air bubble). Bake until golden brown, 22-24 minutes. Transfer to wire rack and cool.

Chocolate Silk Pie

3 large eggs
1/2 cup honey granules (sugar)
2 Tbs water
8 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted and cooled
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
8 Tbs butter, softened
2 cups whipped cream, separated  – (I use my recipe, Homemade Whipped Cream )

Combine the eggs, honey granules, and water in a medium-sized  heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water (the water should not tough the bowl). With a hand mixer on medium speed, beat until the egg mixture is thickened and reads 160 degrees F on an instant read thermometer, about 7-10 minutes. Remove the bowl from the heat and continue to beat until the egg mixture is fluffy and cooled to room temperature, about 6-8 minutes. Add the melted chocolate and vanilla to the egg mixture and beat until well blended. Beat in the butter 1 Tbs at a time until well combined. Using a spatula, gently fold in 1 cup of whipped cream until no streaks remain. Transfer the filling to the baked pie shell. Refrigerate until set, at least 3 hours. Slice and serve with remaining whipped cream.

from annies-eats.com

2 cups flour (freshly milled)
1/3 cup flaxseed, ground
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
3 tbs olive oil
1/2 cup sucanat (or brown sugar)
1/4 cup honey
2 egg
1 cup mashed sweet potato

Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese, olive oil, sucanat, honey, and eggs. Add the mashed sweet potatoes and beat well. Add the flour mixture and beat until well combined. Pour into a 8″ by 4″ greased loaf pan. Bake at 350 for 50 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pan on wire rack; remove from pan. Serve warm or cooled.

from myrecipes.com

1/2 cup  honey granules (sugar)
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup butter, softened (1 stick)
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 tsp vanilla
3 eggs
2 cups flour (freshly milled)
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup sucanat (brown sugar)
1 Tbs ground cinnamon
4 cups peeled and chopped apples (about 3 large or 4 small)

Beat the honey granules, honey, butter, cream cheese, vanilla, and eggs. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add flour mixture to creamed mixture, beating at low speed until blended. Combine the sucanat and cinnamon. Combine 2 Tbs of the cinnamon mixture and the apples in a bowl; stir apple mixture into the batter. Pour into a greased 9″ by 13″ pan and sprinkle with  the remaining 2 Tbs of cinnamon mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the cake comes out clean. Serve warm or cooled.

adapted from myrecipes.com

• 1 spaghetti squash (up to 6 packed cups)
• 10 lasagna noodles
• 3/4 pounds ground beef
• 48 oz. spaghetti sauce
• 1 C water
• 1 t. Italian seasoning
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 8 ounces sour cream
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
• 8 ounces shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese, shredded

1. Put 2-3 inches of water in a large stock pot. Cut squash in half or quarters to fit flesh side down in the pot. Cover and bring to a boil; boil about 15 minutes, until squash is tender. Drain squash and cool. Using a spoon, discard seeds. Scoop out the stringy “spaghetti.”
2. Brown ground beef in a large pot; drain and rinse. Add spaghetti sauce, water, and Italian seasoning.
3. Cook the noodles according to package instructions.
4. In a large stock pot or pan, saute onion and bell pepper in olive oil until tender, adding garlic half way through. Add squash and turn off heat.
5. In a small saucepan, melt the cream cheese over low heat. Add the sour cream, salt, pepper, and parsley; stir to make a smooth white sauce.
6. Stir the white sauce into the cooked squash mixture.
7. Lightly oil two 13×9″ pans and layer noodles, white squash mixture, ground beef mixture, and cheese.  Repeat.
8. Sprinkle with dried basil or oregano flakes for garnish if desired.
9. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

Adapted from: tammysrecipes.com

I like to do Steps 1, 5, & 6 the day before.

• 1 large head cauliflower, separated into florets
• 1/3 C olive oil
• 2 T minced garlic
• salt and pepper
• 1/2 C grated Parmesan cheese

Grease a 13 x 9″ baking dish with olive oil. Place washed cauliflower florets into the pan. Mix garlic and oil, then drizzle over the florets. Salt and pepper to taste. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes, stirring halfway through. Top with Parmesan cheese.

• 1 pound carrots
• 1 pound parsnips
• 4 medium sweet potatoes
• 4 medium white potatoes
• 1 onion, thickly sliced
• 1 1/2 t dried oregano
• 3/4 t dried rosemary
• 3/4 t dried thyme
• 3/4 t dried basil
• 1/2 t black pepper
• 1/4 t sea salt
• 1/2 C extra-virgin olive oil

Wash carrots, parsnips, and potatoes thoroughly and slice into 1 inch sections; place in a large pot and boil for five minutes.  Mix herbs in a small bowl.  Place cooked vegetables and onion in a large bowl and add the oil, mixing until well coated.  Don’t skimp on the oil.  Sprinkle herb mixture in and toss well.

Spread the vegetables evenly over a parchment lined baking sheet.  Bake at 450 degrees for 35-40 minutes, until starting to blacken.

adapted from growalabama.com

Excellent served alongside Almond-Crusted Chicken Fingers or Salmon Loaf

• 4 cups whole wheat flour (freshly milled)
• 1 Tbs yeast
• 1 1/4 cup warm water (120-130F degrees)
• 1/2 tsp salt

1. Sift together 2 cups of flour and the yeast.
2. Add water and salt and mix well.
3. Gradually add the remaining flour just until the dough begins to clean the sides of the bowl. Once this happens, stop adding flour (you might not use all the flour the recipe calls for).
4. Knead the dough for 4 or 5 minutes, or until dough is smooth and elastic. Be careful not to over-knead the dough. (I use a Bosch mixer, so the kneading time will be longer if done by hand.)
5. Form into 10 balls.
6. On a floured surface, roll each ball into a 5-6″ circle, about 1/4″ thick (be sure to sprinkle a little flour on both sides to prevent sticking).
7. Allow to rise for 25 minutes, or until slightly raised.
8. While the pitas are rising, preheat the oven to 500 degrees.
9. Bake on the bottom rack of the oven (the instant heat will help them puff up) for 4-5 minutes, or until puffed in the center and golden on the edges. They can be baked on a non-stick baking sheet, but I prefer to bake mine on wire racks (such as ones used for cooling) . Just before baking, be sure to flip each pita over to its other side (that is what makes them puff up).  Be careful not to puncture or pinch the pitas when lifting them.
10. When the pitas come out of the oven they will be hard, but they will soften as they cool.
11. Wrap them, while they are still warm, in a damp towel until cooled.
12. Cut the pitas in half crosswise and stuff with your favorite fillings.

-Tips-

Make sure that the water is 120-130F degrees. I heat the water on the stove in a saucepan and check the temperature with a candy thermometer. (Make sure that you don’t let the thermometer touch the bottom of the pan, since that will cause it to miss-read the temperature.)

When working with the dough, be sure to sprinkle the work surface with flour and to grease your hands with oil.

Always flip the pitas over before baking them, and be extra cautious not to pinch or puncture them.

From Food.com

A delicious muffin complete with blueberries, streusel, and a hint of coconut.

Topping:

1/4 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
2 Tbs flour
2 Tbs sucanat (or brown sugar)
2 Tbs walnuts, chopped
1 Tbs olive oil

Combine coconut, flour, sucanat, and walnuts in a small bowl. Drizzle with olive oil; stir to combine. Set aside.

Muffin:

1 3/4 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp salt
2 large eggs
3/4 cup buttermilk
3 Tbs olive oil
1/2 tsp coconut extract (or vanilla)
1 cup frozen or fresh blueberries (or fruit of your choice)

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, buttermilk, olive oil, and coconut extract. Add the flour mixture to the wet mixture and whisk until combined; stir in the blueberries. Line a 12 cup muffin pan with muffin liners and fill each cup 3/4 full with batter. Sprinkle with reserved topping. Bake at 400 for 20 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove from the the pan and let cool on a wire rack.

makes 1 dozen

adapted from EatingWell.com

A flavorful fall treat!

8 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup coconut oil
3/4 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup honey
1/3 cup sucanat (or brown sugar)
1 Tbs cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1 Tbs vanilla extract

Combine the oats, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds in a bowl. In a saucepan over medium heat, add remaining ingredients and stir until combined. Pour over the oats and stir. Spread evenly on two 15″ by 11″  jelly roll pans lined with parchment paper. Bake at 325 degrees, stirring every 6 minutes until granola is crisp and golden. Cool and store in an airtight container. Serve with raisins, if desired.

• 1 sweet onion, chopped
• 4 carrots, sliced
• 4 stalks celery, sliced
• 1 large zucchini, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 t dried thyme
• 1 t dried rosemary
• 1 t salt
• 1/2 t black pepper
• 64 oz. chicken broth
• 2 (15 oz.) cans of diced tomatoes

Place all ingredients in roaster at 200 degrees for 4 to 5 hours.

• 1 (15 oz.) can cannellini beans, drained, rinsed, and mashed with a spoon or in the processor
• 3 (15 oz.) cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 4 C spinach leaves, chopped
• Parmesan cheese, shredded (optional)

Add beans and spinach leaves to roaster. Cook at 300 degrees for 45 minutes.  Top with Parmesan.

Adapted from foodnetwork.com