There is nothing like a simple pumpkin pie!

Pumpkin PiePumpkin Pie is one of the easiest and quickest pies to put together. Well, if you’re not making your own puree. I mentioned I’ve cooked raw pumpkin for my pies in the past. Once! When I found the taste was not different from the Libby’s canned puree I quickly eliminated the step. I’m a researcher from way back, cancer research that is … So, I have to add my taste test was not particularly scientific. I was the only taste tester before I added the spices. And I had a prejudice but in favor of my cooked pumpkin. I wanted my cooked pumpkin to taste differently … better. It just didn’t. Maybe others have had a different outcome. What do you think?

You may have noticed I’ve made the pie crust from scratch. In our family we have always made the pie crusts for any pies we’ve made. And after years of eating pie this way it’s hard to change. In fact, to me homemade pie crust makes this pie whether you eat the crust or simply eat the filling off it. Yes, that’s a bit strange. And I’m trying to think of an analogy but I can’t.

When I mention the importance of pie crust I’m referring to the taste and texture. In the last years I’ve used these little cutters just for fun. Adults and children just like the festive look. Me too.

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Apple Dumplings Recipe Just In Time For Fall

Apple Dumplings

An old fashioned dessert worth reviving. The crust is unlike pie crust and creates the perfect wrap to surround a large baking apple. The dumpling rests in a sweet cinnamon syrup. This dessert is not only apple delicious but has a lovely presentation. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a little extra.

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Apple Recipes

My Apple Dumplings-Sunday

Apple DumplingsHere are a few apple recipes to tide you over until My Apple Dumplings Post.

Top L-R: Spinach Apple Banana Smoothie, Mother’s Day Muffins, Apple Empanadas
Bottom L-R: Pork Chops Recipe, Apple Dessert, Apple Pie

Did you know there are over 7000 apple cultivars? Just within the last weeks I was looking through the apples at my grocer’s. And up popped a new one … to me anyway. Do you get confused about which to use for what? I kinda stick with my favorites. But it’s interesting and recommended to mix cooking apples to get a little different taste and texture.

The crabapple is the only apple variety native to North America. It’s not used in cooking often because of its extremely sour taste. Apples are usually categorized by use; cider, cooking, eating. Below I’ve listed what I often find available and their recommended use. Yep, in my youth I baked an apple pie with Red Delicious. It took forever for the apples to ‘cook.’

Braeburn-sweet, tart; eating and tarts (can turn brown inside from long storage)
Empire-sweet, crunchy, juicy, tangy; eating (cross between McIntosh and Red Delicious)
Fuji-one of the sweetest, crisp; eating (brought to market in the 60’s-developed in a research station in Japan)
Gala-sweet, juicy, crisp, grainy; eating and sauces (one of the most popular apples)
Golden Delicious-very sweet; eating (found in West Virginia-not closely related to Red Delicious)
Granny Smith-crisp, juicy, very tart; cooking and eating (originated in Australia)
Gravenstein-crisp, sweet, tart; cider, cooking and eating (been around for 100’s of years)
Jonathan-tart; cooking and eating (Origin-Woodstock)
McIntosh-slightly tart and crisp; cooking and eating (very popular in eastern Canada and the Northeast US)
Red Delicious-sweet, very mild to little taste; eating (easy to recognize by the mounds circling the bottom)
Rome-crisp, juicy, mild; cooking (flavor develops in baking)
Winesap-sweet, tangy; cider and eating (Stayman apple)

 


Pumpkin Log Or Torte

Pumpkin Torte

Every recipe I create for my blog has a story. My file is overflowing with handwritten, typed or photocopied delicious recipes. Anything less wasn’t saved. Many are decades old not unlike this one.

For years I worked with patients with cancer and during the holidays we were flooded with wonderful cakes, cookies and candies. Pumpkin roll was one of the treats. It was so light yet rich … and who doesn’t like pumpkin! The recipe was shared too. As the years passed I stayed loyal to our traditional pumpkin pie during holidays and never made this recipe ‘though I visited it frequently.

Today I pulled out the recipe and did an internet search to make sure it was original. And then what did I do? I changed it just a bit … not because it needs it but to give it a new look.

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Short Cut Chocolate Chip Cookies-Quick Mix

No Short Cut In Taste!

Quick Mix Chocolate Chip Cookies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How can a Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe get any easier and faster! Take a look.

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Easy Apple Dessert

Apple Dessert

A thirty year old recipe that will convert pretty easily to Vegan if inclined. Tasty firm Granny Smith apples and walnuts create a lovely dessert for those surprise visitors, planned dinner guests or family of course. Make it fancy by adding a lemon curd drizzle, pumpkin butter, powdered sugar sprinkle, or whipped topping. Typically baked in an oblong baking dish or 9 inch square. Baking does take some time, about 45 minutes, and you will need a skewer or toothpick to check this one for doneness just to be sure. It’s packed with goodness!

Apple Dessert

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Two Great Lemon Cake Recipes

Lemonade Cake

I had this idea about converting an old recipe, Lemon Glaze Cake, into something more homemade. And I’d add lemonade. Lemonade Cake … How clever and original! Until you do a Google search! Well, my recipe is original anyway.

Until I post my recipe for Lemonade Cake … you might enjoy reviewing an ancient poke cake recipe. Thank you Connie Swearingen for the Lemon Glaze Cake recipe … Your favorite cake over 50 years ago. I bet many are still making this version and loving it.

Lemon Glaze Cake1 Yellow cake mix (no extras added like pudding)
1 Small box lemon jello
3/4 Cup vegetable oil
3/4 Cup water
3 Eggs

Beat all ingredients together for about 4 minutes. Bake according to cake package directions using an oblong baking dish.
When done remove from oven. Let cool briefly. Use a cooking fork and poke holes down to the bottom of the dish all across the top of the cake about every inch or so. Then pour the following across the warm cake: 2 cups powdered sugar and 1/2 cup lemon juice mixed thoroughly.

 

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Tiramisu

Here I am in Florence with wanna-be Italian home cooks, like myself, watching our instructor make Tiramisu. I still have the recipe. But there are some glitches … Finding really tasty ladyfingers is difficult in my little town and finding mascarpone cheese is next to impossible. Also, the recipe calls for raw eggs. At one time I made pies, ice cream and desserts with raw eggs and never had any ill effects. But since this is now discouraged … well, it’s hard to turn back.

So … I developed a mock up Tiramisu. Please know this is not a substitute but rather a delicious dessert reminiscent of Tiramisu.

This is really an easy dessert to put together whether you’re making authentic or my make over. If you’re looking to give this your signature my suggestion is to make your own lady fingers or a substitute for them; such as, pound cake … And adding a little fruit flavor might be interesting. I thought about using Frangelico instead of rum … ultimately the alcohol can be left out if desired.

Have you ever experienced a Tiramisu with an almost bitter bite? I have! My very first! And for a long time I didn’t even go near this dessert. You won’t find bitter in this version whether you use rum or not. It’s just perfect! (Note: Be sure your coffee doesn’t taste bitter, and use the coffee sparingly.)

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30 minute Skillets

My focus this week is skillet meals. Great for back to school! This 30 Minute Stew is amazing. New!

30 Minute Skillets

Here are a few previous posts of quick one skillet dinners to tide you over. Click on the photo and voilà. I have many quick desserts too, and have added one here I rarely see but so delicious!Four Layer Dinner
Tuna, Chicken or Turkey Casserole

Sausage Peppers Onions

 

 

 

 

 

 

30 minute skillet

30 minute skillet30 minute skilletPeanut Butter Cake30 minute skillets