Saturday, December 4, 2010

Calzone and Lemon Meringue Pie

Made a Calzone for dinner the other night. Just used Pillsbury pizza dough to hurry the process. Layered pizza sauce, pepperoni, cheese and veggies.



 Here are the lemon meringue pies I made for Thanksgiving dinner. Sorry I didn't take a photo of it when I cut it. I used the Wilton decorator I found at Ross to make the great design.

Found this somewhere on the Internet.
~Lemon Meringue Pie~
Filling:
2 cups water
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup cornstarch
5 egg yolks, beaten
1/4 cup butter
3/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp lemon zest
1 tsp vanilla extract
Bring the water to a boil in a large, heavy saucepan. Remove from the heat and let rest 5 minutes. Whisk the sugar and cornstarch together. Add the mixture gradually to the hot water, whisking until completely incorporated. Return to the heat and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly until the mixture comes to a boil. The mixture will be very thick. Add about 1 cup of the hot mixture to the beaten egg yolks, whisking until smooth. Whisking vigorously, add the warmed yolks to the pot and continue cooking, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Remove from the heat and stir in butter until incorporated. Add the lemon juice, zest and vanilla, stirring until combined. Pour into the prepared crust. Cover with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming on the surface, and cool to room temperature.
Meringue:
5 egg whites, room temperature
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup granulated sugar
Preheat the oven to 375ºF Using an electric mixer beat the egg whites with the cream of tartar, salt and vanilla extract until soft peaks form. Add the sugar gradually, beating until it forms stiff, glossy peaks. Pile onto the cooled pie, bringing the meringue all the way over to the edge of the crust to seal it completely. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden.

Sugar Cookie Bars

These are yummy!




1 cup butter at room temp.
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
5 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp soda
Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing after each egg. Add vanilla & mix well. In a separate bowl combine flour, salt & soda & stir with a whisk to combine. Add to wet mixture and mix just until combined. Spread on a greased baking sheet (use a 13 x 18 pan). Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 min, until light golden tan or until a toothpick comes out clean. Don't over bake. Cool completely and frost.

Frosting
1 cup butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla or almond flavor
pinch of salt
4 cups powdered sugar
5 Tbl. milk or heavy cream
Food coloring, if desired
Sprinkles

Combine butter, vanilla, and salt in mixer bowl.  Using whisk attachment beat until creamy and combined.  Add about one cup powdered sugar, then mix to combine.  Add milk or heavy cream (start with 3 Tablespoons; you can add more later) and beat to incorporate.  With mixer running at low speed, slowly add remaining powdered sugar.  Add more liquid at this point, if needed.  Once sugar has been added and mixed in, beat frosting on medium-high speed for 1-2 minutes or until light and fluffy.  Blend in food coloring, if desired.  Frost cookies, then top with sprinkles before cutting and serving.