7 first time Recipes

pie pumpkin (those medium to small ones, their meat is sweeter), acorn squash (optional- i had 1 and decided to bake them both up together), since this was the first time i attempted making pumpkin by myself , i experimented with two types of seasoning, non-hydrogenated margarine , 2 tbsp packed brown sugar, and lots of the following spices- jamaican jerk seasoning, smoked paprika, parsley and sea salt., a sweet rub made out of the following- about 1/3 cup of honey , 1 tbsp packed brown sugar, cumin, nutmeg, sage, parsley, chili and garlic powder, salt and pepper., water for the bottom of each pan.

olive oil, divided, sliced red onions, golden brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, dry crushed red pepper, fresh ricotta cheese, prosciutto, basic pizza dough (i tried whole foods for the first time, great dough)

extra virgin olive oil, bacon, diced, onions, finely diced, stalk celery, finely diced, carrots, finely diced, garlic, minced, zucchini, cut into 1/2inch dice (2 cups), canned plum tomatoes, chopped, head small savoy cabbage, cut into 1 inch pieces or finely sliced, washed spinach leaves, chopped roughly, white beans; rinsed and drained; 1 can pureed , the can of beans left whole, stemmed washed basil leaves cut into strips, chicken broth, preferably homemade, water, salt and freshly ground black pepper, grated parmesan or pecorino romano cheese

pastry, sugar, corn starch, salt, sour cherries, dried cherries, almond extract, prepare pastry ., prepare filling : in 3-quart saucepan combine 1/2 cup sugar, the cornstarch, and salt. drain liquid from canned cherries into the saucepan; set cherries aside. stir cherry liquid into sugar mixture until no lumps remain. heat mixture to boiling over medium heat, stirring frequently; continue cooking 1 minute until mixture is clear. stir in reserved cherries, the dried cherries, almond extract, and food coloring, if desired; set aside., heat oven to 400 degrees f. between 2 sheets of floured waxed paper, roll out 1 ball of pastry into an 11-inch round. remove top sheet of paper and invert pastry into 9-inch pie plate, letting excess extend over edge. remove remaining sheet of waxed paper. spoon cherry filling into pastry-lined plate., between sheets of floured waxed paper , roll out remaining pastry to a 9-1/2- by 7-1/2-inch rectangle. remove top sheet of paper from pastry. with fluted pastry wheel or knife, trim long edges to make them even, then cut rectangle lengthwise into fourteen 1/2-inch wide strips., make lattice crust , place 1 strip in center of pie and another at right angle to first strip. place 2 strips, 1 on each side of first strip, about 1/4-inch apart. place 2 more strips, 1 on each side of second strip. continue in this fashion, 2 strips at a time, moving toward edge of pie, until all strips have been used. trim off all strips extending more than 1 inch past rim of pie plate. lift edge of bottom crust over ends of strips. pinch together and flute edge. sprinkle remaining 1 tsp of sugar onto pastry strips. place pie on rimmed baking sheet., bake pie 35 to 40 minutes or until pastry is golden brown and the filling bubbles. cool pie on wire rack 15 to 20 minutes before cutting.

ok...first caveat...if you are making your own crust , it will take longer then stated. but there is nothing wrong with saving a little time, and using a pre-made frozen crust; it saves all kinds of downtime in this busy world, especially at christmas when we are all a bit...busy. if you want to make your own crust, then check out my favorite crust recipe here on this site..., eggs, heavy cream, whole milk, thick bacon , fried crisp and chopped (or chop first and then crisp) drained, gruyere , emmenthal, or other good swiss cheese, grated (i use a 1/2 combo of and emmenthal), freshly ground nutmeg, salt and pepper