Old Fashioned Chess Pie

I really enjoy Chess Pie, but I am not a big fan of the vinegar and cornmeal versions.

I was glad to come across this old recipe without those two ingredients.

This recipe starts with a homemade pie crust.

I used my standard crust recipe:

1 1/2 cups flour plain

1/2 cup shortening

5-6 Tablespoons cold water

1 teaspoon salt

This time, I chose to roll the crust extra thin in order to get three crusts from the recipe.

I actually found I really liked the thin crust, so I will try this again.

 The great thing about this pie is that you don't need any special ingredients.

It is inexpensive to make.

You will need:

1/2 cup butter or margarine

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup flour, plain

1/8 teaspoon salt

2 egg yolks

1/2 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

 Start by melting the margarine and then add the sugar.  
Cream these two ingredients together.

 Next add the flour and salt, stirring together.

 Finally add the egg yolks.  Stir.
Then, add the milk and vanilla.  Stir.

Pour mixture into an unbaked pie crust. 

Bake 45 minutes at 300 degrees until filling is set.

I found with my oven, I needed to increase the temperature and cook this pie a 
little longer to get it to set.



Enjoy!!!

Spring is Here

Spring has arrived in Tennessee!!!

Well...at least for a few days.

Forecasts for tomorrow night are back in the 20's.

I have been picking daffodils to spruce up my screen porch, but tomorrow I may need to pick them all and bring them inside the house.

 

 

It has been a cold, hard winter.

I think it is helping all of us to appreciate the warm weather when it comes.

 

 

 Today was a beautiful day.

I even say a wasp buzzing around outside.

 

Knitted Dish Towel

This is still my favorite dishcloth pattern.

You can find it here:  http://homespunliving.blogspot.com/2007/11/waffle-knit-dishcloth-pattern.html

January Amaryllis

I have been waiting and waiting for my amaryllis to bloom.

My Grandmother used to always have one on her back porch blooming at Christmas time. 

This one missed Christmas, but is showing off for January.

It is extremely cold in the Big Woods right now,
just like it is across much of the United States.

This beautiful flower is really helping to warm our home while it is sooooo cold outside.

 



American Cheese Sausage Balls

 When both of my men (my husband and my son) commented on the sausage balls we had for supper tonight, I knew I had done something right.

I changed a few things from the standard recipe...mostly with the cheese.

 

 

I decided to try American cheese.

I grated 2 cups from this block of American cheese.

I also added about 2 cups of Mexican Style Shredded cheese.

The extra cheese along with adding pepper and some milk made the sausage balls moist and flavorful.

 

Here is my final recipe:

 

1 pound sausage (I used Tennessee Pride)

2 cups American cheese shredded

2 cups shredded Mexican Style cheese

3 cups Bisquick

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/4 cup milk

 

Mix together, form balls, and bake on a cookie sheet at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until lightly brown.

Enjoy!!!

 



Gerome Bars

 We always made Gerome Bars at Christmas time when I was growing up.

I have never eaten one of these bars any where else.

I am not even sure why they are called "Gerome" bars, but that is what we always called them.

This is the first time I have made them in several years, but it probably won't be the last.

My family really liked them.

 

 You will need:

1 box whole graham crackers

1 1/2 sticks margarine

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 1/2 cups milk

1 cup chopped pecans

1 cup crushed graham crackers

1 cup coconut

 

Icing:

1 box powder sugar

1 stick margarine melted

3 T. milk

1 t. vanilla

 

First, line a 9x13 pan with whole graham crackers.

Melt 1 1/2 stick margarine in a saucepan.

Add the 1 cup sugar.

In a separate bowl beat the egg and add the 1 1/2 cups milk. Mix well.

Add this mixture to the butter and sugar.

Bring to a boil stirring constantly.

Remove from heat and add the graham crackers...

the chopped pecans...

and the coconut.

Stir well.

Immediately pour this mixture over the graham crackers and spread evenly.

Place another layer of whole graham crackers over the filling.

 

Now it is time to prepare the icing.

Add the powdered sugar to the melted margarine, alternately with the milk and vanilla.

 

 I usually mix this icing with a wire whisk.  It will be very thin.

 

Pour the icing over the top layer of graham crackers.

Smooth the icing over the crackers.

 

Sprinkle coconut over the icing.

Place in the refrigerator overnight.

Cut into bars to serve.

Enjoy!

Merry Christmas Eve

Thank you Trisha Yearwood, the Pioneer Woman, and my husband for my early Christmas present.

A candy thermometer, a cake icing spatula, and a very nice set of measuring cups that I desperately needed.  A special thank you to my husband who was listening as I was wishfully thinking out loud while watching my favorite shows last Saturday morning.  Thanks also to my daughter for hinting about the measuring cups, and to my son for making the trip with my husband to the Williams-Sonoma store.  I can't wait to get started on the Christmas baking!!!