Apple Pie, with Blueberries

pie1
Originally uploaded by galaxygoo1

This year, I decided to give apple pie another try. To see if I could make it a truly tasty treat.

To start with, I went to my local bakery (Noe Valley Bakery) and got some fresh "home made" pie crust. No messing with the dough, trusting my local pro.

That gave me time to focus on the filling. It's the apples that can make or break a pie. I went with a combination of granny smith and pink lady apples.

Before starting on the apples, I set aside a bowl with a little orange juice and a splash of vanilla in it. As I sliced the apples, they went into the juice. Every few apples, I'd add a sprinkle of sugar with cinnamon and coriander and mix it all up. My 7-year-old was a big help there.

Once the apples were all cut up, I took the dough out of the freezer and let it thaw for ten minutes, and placed the bottom sheet in the pie pan. Again, my helper stepped in.

I cooked the apples in a sauce pan for a few minutes, in the orange juice and spice mixture, before adding to the pie.

There was a lot of liquid left in the bowl, so I decided to put it in a sauce pan and reduce it down. This reduction was then poured over the apples in the pie.

Before putting the top crust on, we added blueberries! Which turned out to be a delicious addition.

I realize that I have a little trouble with keeping things simple in the kitchen, but at least the results are wonderfully delicious :-)

Celery Root

cRoot1
Originally uploaded by galaxygoo1

Celery root, while certainly one of the least attractive of vegetables, it very tasty. I tend to use it as any root vegetable. Today, it served as one of several root veggies in my stuffing (which I bake in a pan, rather than stuffed in the turkey).

cranberries

cranberries
Originally uploaded by galaxygoo1

The day started with the amazing smell of cranberries simmering in orange juice (with a touch of sugar,honey, and vanilla). The house hasn't smelled so good since this time, last year.

After months of a schedule without room for me to cook, it was a real treat to spend the day cooking with my kids. Much to be thankful for.

Holiday Brussel Sprouts

While talking about what I was making for thanksgiving today, I was asked if I had a recipe for my brussel sprouts. So...

Here's a quick description of how I like to make my sprouts on the holidays:

1. clean and halve the sprouts.
2. steam the sprouts for about 10-15 minutes -> when they turn bright green.
3. cook down some pancetta in extra virgin olive oil
4. once pancetta is done, remove from the pan and keep for later
5. into the pan that pancetta was in, I add chopped red onions and slowly cook until onions are translucent
6. add brussel sprouts to onions
7. chop crisped pancetta and add to brussel sprouts
8. add balsamic vinegar

Don't forget to salt and pepper. I usually season the onions, when I add the steamed sprouts, and at the end.

Sometimes, I add roasted red peppers or fresh peppers.

Does Your Mama Love Y0u?

So, tonight, as I'm carefully tending dinner, stirring the onions so they caramelize without burning, and lovingly listening to my 12-year-old daughter tell me of her battles of the day...she says, "oh, and x is at me again at the whole mama thing". And I say "what mama thing?"

"Oh, she starts out with 'we never see your mom at school. does your mom even know you? does she love you?'" I barely avoid dropping the spoon. And I ask "and what did you say?".

She says, with all the calm confidence I could hope for "my mom has better things to do than to come here". Ouch!

On one hand, I'm proud she shot down this terribly hurtful attack. On the other hand, my daughter spends all day at the school. It's a big part of her life, no matter how hostile it is to me personally. Again...ouch!

Making Valentines

Making Valentines
Originally uploaded by galaxygoo1

I love making valentines with my kids. The trick to designing a fun valentine is to make them easy to assemble (we have to make a lot) so the kids don't get bored before the project is done.

Slightly Tipsy Chicken and Veg

Slightly Tipsy Chicken and Veg
Originally uploaded by galaxygoo1

yum!

I felt inspired tonight. Was thinking about ordering Thai delivered, but then I got an idea...

Cooked up a little pancetta in local organic olive oil, and then added red onions and let them slowly cook until they softened.

I cubed the chicken into fairly large chunks, since I'm planning to braise it. Once lightly browned, I pour in a generous cup of red wine (zinfandel) and let some of the alcohol burn off.

Sliced up some fennel, and into the pot it goes, along with red bell pepper, pablano chili, and roasted red pepper (from my pantry).

Top this all with a cup of chicken broth and a cup of water, and let it simmer for some time.

...

The rice is done, the chicken is done. Time to serve it up. The whole family gobbled it up happily. And my six-year-old ate well! Even with loose teeth making it difficult to chew!