Megan's Culinary Delights

Homemade Apple Pie

2011-02-21T13:02:00.000-08:00

This is a family favorite~

4 cups of Granny Smith apples peeled and sliced
2 cups of flour
1 tsp salt
3/4 cup of Butter Flavored Crisco
1 cup of white sugar
3 TBS flour
2 tsp cinnamon
water

In one bowl, peel and dice Granny Smith apples. In medium sized bowl, place 2 cups of flour and 1 tsp of salt, and 3/4 cup of Butter Flavored Crisco. Using a fork, work the Crisco into the flour until of a crumbly texture. In another small bowl, place the 1 cup of sugar, 3 TBS of flour, and 2 tsp of cinnamon. Work the flour into the sugar until thoroughly combined. Using a large flat surface, cover lightly with extra flour, and get your rolling pin and pie plate ready. Using the fork, pour small amounts of Ice Cold Water into the flour and Crisco mixture. Continue until it begins to form a ball of dough. Splitting the dough in half, form it into a ball and coat with flour. Place on floured surface; and roll out a few inches, then sprinkle more flour underneath and on top. Continue this until you are larger than your pie plate. Fold in half and place in pie plate. Sprinkle two spoonfuls of the sugar mixture on the bottom crust, then pour apples on top of that, then pour remaining sugar mixture on top of apples. Then slice pieces of butter(real butter) on the apples and sugar. Set that aside. Then take remaining dough, it may need a little more water to form a dough ball. Repeat the above process of rolling it out. Place it over the top of the apples. Roll the bottom and top layers of dough together and crimp (there are many different ways to crimp the dough, see picture) Sprinkle white sugar on the top of the crust.
Place in a preheated oven of 425F for 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 350F for 40 minutes.

Some tips that I have found:
Using a crust shield if your oven bakes dark
Using a stoneware pie plate (I use the Paula Dean pie plate, from Walmart)

Hot Fudge

2010-06-26T07:46:00.000-07:00

We are fully enjoying summer! A great summer treat is a Hot Fudge Sundae.
There is nothing like "homemade" fudge sauce!!!
As a child, we would go to visit my gramma and she would always make fudge sauce and serve up sundaes for a treat!

So, here is the recipe for you to try!

Warm Chocolate Sauce:
3/4 cup pet milk
1 cube of butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1 box of powdered sugar
4 TBS. cocoa powder

Place ingredients in a sauce and bring to a boil. Let boil for 5 minutes.
Serve hot over ice cream!

Wonderful Soup Recipe

2010-02-09T11:51:00.001-08:00

Need a quick dinner idea?

Here you go~

Look for these-

Combine the Ready Rice- Spanish Style, Chicken Broth, and add shredded chicken, in a stock pot. Cook until boiling. (portions flexible)
Serve, topped with chopped onions, tomatoes, jalapenos, cilantro, and fresh lime wedges.
Great with a quesadilla, chips, salsa, and guacamole! Enjoy!!!

Dinner Tonight

2009-07-23T19:26:00.000-07:00

Macaroni and Cheese Recipe~(Lowfat)
3 cups macaroni, cooked, (Penne, elbow, etc.)
3 Tablespoons olive oil
2 Tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 cups milk, 1% lowfat
8 ounces cheddar cheese, lowfat

Directions; Preheat oven to 350F. In a saucepan, heat oil and blend in flour, salt, and pepper. Add milk and stir until thick and bubbly. Add cheese chunks until melted. Add cooked pasta and mix thoroughly. Place in a casserole dish and bake for 35 minutes or until heated through and lightly browned. (Optional~add extra low fat cheese for garnish)

Chicken Recipe:

Marinate in seasoned olive oil and minced garlic, garlic and sea salt blend, and black pepper. Place in baking dish and cook low (275F) for 2 1/2 hours.

Vegetables:

Zucchini, onion, and red bell pepper sliced up and placed in a skillet with 1 Tablespoon of olive oil. Season with garlic and sea salt blend, and black pepper. Saute until onions are becoming transparent. Serve as soon as possible!

UPDATE-Chocolate Chip Cake

2009-06-10T14:28:00.000-07:00

Here is an update on the Chocolate Chip Cake Recipe:

Low Fat Version~

Substitute "Liquid Egg White" for the 5 eggs
Substitute "Smart Balance Omega-3 Oil" for the 1/3 cup of oil
Substitute "1/2 cup of Mini Chocolate Chips" for the 1 cup of Chocolate Chips (fan make loured)

Also, can make into 18 count cup cakes. (pictured below)

Quick Dinner Option

2009-06-07T10:08:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! I have been horrible about posting recently, but I'm trying to turn over a new leaf! LOL!

Here is one of my favorite fast meals:

TACO SKILLET

1 LB of ground beef
1 small can of tomato sauce
1/2 cup fresh salsa
6-8 corn tortillas cut into strips
cheese

Brown your ground beef thoroughly and season to desired taste, then add tomato sauce, salsa, and corn tortillas. Cover and let tortillas soften. Serve, garnished with grated cheese of desired amount! ENJOY!!!!

Grilled Asparagus

2009-04-21T22:21:00.000-07:00

Well everyone, I have a very delectable way to prepare asparagus.
Grilled is by far the BEST way to prepare asparagus.

Tonight, this is what I made~

After washing the asparagus spears, make sure that they are dry.
Coat with olive oil, and sprinkle with Garlic Salt and Pepper.
Using a Griller (George Forman, Cuisinart Griller, etc.)
place the asparagus spears on the hot grill for about 2 to 4 minutes.
Remove and serve immediately. ENJOY!!!

Chocolate Chip Cake

2009-04-07T08:02:00.000-07:00

Well, last week I was asked to make a cake and this is what I made.
Chocolate Chip Cake! It is a family favorite in my family.
Very easy and fast when you want a tasty dessert.

Here it is~

And the recipe:

1 "Butter" Betty Crocker Cake mix
1 small "Chocolate" Instant Pudding mix
1 small "Vanilla" Instant Pudding mix (i prefer Jello Brand)
5 eggs
1 1/4 cup water
1/3 cup oil
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (floured)

Preheat oven to 350F.
Mix dry cake mix, and pudding mixes, eggs, water, and oil in medium mixing bowl on high until smooth. Then add chocolate chips. Pour into a greased and floured Bundt Pan. Bake for 55 minutes or until done in center.

Garnish with sifted powdered sugar and ~ Enjoy!!!

(Tip: an easy way to flour chocolate chips is to put the cup of chocolate chips in a sandwich bag and add a spoonful of flour to the bag. Close and shake the bag until the chips are all floured. Then pour into a strainer to get rid of excess flour, then add to cake batter.)

I'm also working on a "Low Fat" version:

using sugar free pudding mixes for the vanilla and chocolate
substituting the 5 eggs with 3/4 cup and 3TBSP of "Egg Whites"
substituting the 1/3 cup of oil with the "Smart Balance" oil
substituting the chocolate chips to 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips

I'll let you know how it turns out, next time I make the low fat version.

Cookie Idea

2009-03-29T09:29:00.000-07:00

Hey, want to change up a cookie recipe? I like to use alternatives with my chocolate chip cookie from my last post. I love classic Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips, but another thing I like to replace it is the Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chunks, or the Mini Chips. You can also use M n M's... Yum! Yum!

Have fun trying different flavored chips as well, white chocolate, butterscotch, peanut butter and chocolate, etc. Post what you think about the outcome!

Happy Baking!!!!

Today's Baking

2009-03-27T17:22:00.001-07:00

I am so excited to be starting a recipe blog! I love baking and always enjoy sharing my goodies that I bake with friends and family.

Today I made two different kinds of cookies and a hot fudge ice cream topping. We are going to a family cook-out tonight and I love to bring something, so I decided to make plenty!

I made the chocolate chip cookies that everyone loves! Aaaah!!!!
Then, I made my brother-in-law's favorite~oatmeal cookies.
Lastly, I make from scratch, a yummy chocolate fudge sauce for topping the homemade ice cream that my mother-in-love is making. I'm sure all will be enjoyed and consumed very quickly tonight!

And now: ~my cookies~

My Chocolate Chip Cookies

3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup butter flavored Cristco
2 eggs (egg whites/ egg beaters can be used as healthy substitute)

2 1/4 cup all purpose flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla

2 cups chocolate chips

Cream 1st four ingredients, then add next four ingredients. After thoroughly mixed, add chocolate chips. *Also can add chopped nuts, if desired. Roll into balls approx. the size of a lime. Place on cookie sheet and place in oven, preheated to 350F for approx. 10 minutes.
Remove from oven and let sit on tray for 1 to 2 minutes to set up, before moving to wax paper, or cooling rack.

~Enjoy~