SANDRA'S RAVISHING RHUBARB-RASPBERRY-PINEAPPLE PIE

Just pulled this jewel of a pie
(made from the bounty of my garden this summer)
out of the oven as the hubs pulls in the driveway...

Servings: (8)

Prep: 30 Mins.

Par-cook filling: 20 Mins.

Bake: 1 hr.

INGREDIENTS:

Bottom Crust:

1 (10") prepared pie crust (store-bought, or Sandra's Homemade Pie Crust Recipe)

Filling:

4 cups frozen rhubarb, thawed, drained, and cut into 1/2" pieces

1 cup frozen raspberries, unthawed

1 (8 oz) can, crushed pineapple, with juices

1/4 cup raisins

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons bourbon vanilla extract (or regular vanilla extract)

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
Pinch of fine-grain sea salt

Crumble topping:

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons brown sugar

3 tablespoons granulated sugar

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 cup chopped walnuts

4 tablespoons butter, melted

METHOD:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Set aside a 10" pie dish.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Add all filling ingredients and stir to combine, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 20 minutes, while occasionally stirring.  Remove from heat, and set aside. (This procedures allows the pie to bake faster, including reducing pie filling shrinkage while baking.)

Line pie crust in pie dish, trim and flute edges. Ladle in hot filling.

Prepare crumble topping by adding all ingredients to a small bowl and stir to combine, except the melted butter. Drizzle in melted butter, then stir with a fork to incorporate until small pea-sized shapes form. Sprinkle crumble mixture evenly over pie.  Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour.  Remove to baking rack to let cool for a minimum of 1 hour to allow pie to set, prior to cutting. ~ Enjoy!

~~ An amazing dessert to serve with French vanilla ice cream ~~

SANDRA’S LUSCIOUS RHUBARB-RASPBERRY CRUMBLES (Individual mason jar servings)

A phenomenally luscious springtime quick, easy, and tasty dessert

using in-season fruit and berries...

Prep: 5 Mins.

Macerate: 10 Mins.

Bake: 40 to 45 Mins.

Serves: (9) ½-Pint Jars (Wide/Slim: Whatever you have on hand)

INGREDIENTS:

Filling:

2 lbs. fresh rhubarb (7 measured cups, already cut into ½” slices)

2 teaspoons fresh lemon zest

--(Or, ¼ teaspoon organic lemon peel powder)

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

¾ cup granulated sugar

½ cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon vanilla bourbon extract

-- (Or, vanilla extract)

1 teaspoon organic cinnamon powder
--(Or, ground cinnamon)

2 cups (1 pint) fresh raspberries (or frozen, no need to thaw)

Crumble:

1 cup all-purpose flour

½ cup old fashioned oats

1/3 cup granulated sugar

¼ cup packed dark brown sugar

Pinch of fine-grain kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon organic cinnamon powder
--(Or, ground cinnamon)

½ cup (1 cube) cold unsalted butter, cut into pea-sized cubes

METHOD:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a Silpat liner, and set aside. Also, set aside 9 half-pint pre-sterilized Mason jars – no matter the shape (I used what I had onhand).

In a large bowl, combine all filling ingredients, except for the raspberries (I used unthawed frozen berries); toss to combine, and let macerate for 10 minutes. Toss again.  Fold in raspberries (fresh/frozen); using a typical tablespoon, spoon into Mason jars (Note: Over-stuff jars with filling, as it tends to shrink when cooling).

Prepare the Crumble mixture, and combine using a pastry cutter or two butter knives and cut to combine until crumble mixture appears as shown in photo.  Use a clean tablespoon and generously spoon crumble mixture atop filling to form slight mounds (the dessert will shrink when cooled, so don’t be shy with this topping mixture).

Notice the enhanced color the more it macerates...

Place filled jars atop the parchment/Siltpat-lined baking sheet in the preheated oven, and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until golden and crisp and juices are slightly bubbling over edge.  Let stand for 10 minutes to set, and serve with French vanilla ice cream, if desired. ~ Enjoy!

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Tips:

1) You're able to prepare these desserts well ahead of time and refrigerate, then bake in time for serving; they hold up phenomenally well.

2) If you have leftovers, simply microwave ½-pint jars for 30 seconds (placed inside a serving plate/bowl first) to warm.

3) To make ice cream scoop-able, microwave uncovered container for 10 seconds on high; it works and doesn't compromise its texture!

SANDRA’S NO-FUSS APPLE-CRANBERRY CRISP and CANDIED PECAN TOPPING

I had apples on-hand and a

yellow cake mix in the pantry

so I threw together this quick dessert

in a matter of minutes.

It's absolutely terrific...

Servings: (10 to 12)

Prep: 15 Mins.

Bake: 40 Mins.

INGREDIENTS

Bottom Filling:

5 red apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced

½ cup whole frozen cranberries

1 tablespoon cold unsalted butter, cut into 9 pieces

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon lemon juice

Crisp:

1 (18.25 oz. pkg.) super moist yellow cake mix

¼ cup dark brown sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

Topping:

¼ cup brown sugar

¼ cup chopped candied pecans (Always in my freezer)

Optional:

--French vanilla ice cream

METHOD

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 baking dish. Place apples and cranberries in bottom of dish, dot with 1 tablespoon of cold butter pieces, and drizzle with vanilla extract and lemon juice.

 In a large bowl, combine cake mix, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, melted butter, and mix with a fork until crumbly, about the size of peas. 

Sprinkle mixture evenly over apples.

 Mix topping ingredients in a small bowl. 

Sprinkle topping ingredients evenly on top.

 Bake, uncovered, for 40 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes.

Serve warm and topped with French vanilla ice cream. ~ Enjoy!

SANDRA'S METHOD FOR SAUTÉED FRESH GREEN BEANS

Brilliant green and fresh
sauteed green beans...Yummm!

Servings (6)
Prep. and Cook, about 15 to 20 Mins.

Posted by Sandra

INGREDIENTS

½ lb. fresh green beans, trim ends, and cut into 1-1/2” pieces
¼ cup water
1 tablespoon light olive oil
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

METHOD

Place the cut fresh green beans in a microwave-safe bowl with water, cover with a damp paper towel, and par-steam in microwave on high for 5 minutes. Drain, and rinse in a colander under cold water to retain color and to stop the cooking process, and then pat dry (this can be done ahead of time). Place olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat, when oil is hot add the par-cooked green beans and spices, and saute for 7 to 10 minutes, just until crisp-tender. – Enjoy!


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Tip: I have found that many like fresh green beans cooked longer until tender - not crisp, if so, you may choose to do so and continue sauteing for another 5 minutes.

SANDRA'S FRESH APPLE BLUEBERRY NILLA CRISP

A comfort dessert that your
family is sure to enjoy...

Servings: (8)
Prep: 10 mins. |
Bake 1 hour.

Posted by Sandra

INGREDIENTS

***Filling
4 large apples, peeled, cored, sliced, and cut in half
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
Pinch of fine-grained kosher salt
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
¼ cup dried blueberries

Heading to the oven
for baking

***Crumble
1/3 cup old-fashioned oats (not quick cooking)
¼ cup dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
25 nilla wafers, crushed
Butter baking spray

***Toppings
--French vanilla ice cream
--1 tablespoon chopped dried blueberries

METHOD

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a glass pie dish with baking spray, and set aside.

In a medium bowl, add the apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, lemon juice, a pinch of kosher sale, and dried blueberries. Toss to combine, and place filling mixture into prepared pie dish.

In a small bowl, combine oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour; tossing to combine. Work in cold butter cubes with pastry cutter or a fork until you have coarse crumbs the size of peas. Stir in nilla wafer crumbs; sprinkle crumble mixture over apples. Lightly spray top of crumble mixture with butter spray.

Bake for 1 hour, just until apples are tender. Let set for 15 minutes. Serve warm by cutting into slices, and top them with a scoop of french vanilla ice cream and a sprinkling of chopped dried blueberries (see top photograph). – Enjoy!

SANDRA'S CRISP-TENDER BROCCOLI with an ASIAN TWIST

This dish is very similar
to an awesome and warm Asian Salad...

Servings: (4)
Prep: 10 mins. |
Cook: 2 mins.
Posted by Sandra

INGREDIENTS

2 heads of broccoli, cut to bite-sized pieces
Sesame oil for drizzling
2 teaspoons sesame seeds, toasted
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Kosher salt and ground pepper, to taste

METHOD

Place a medium pot of water over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Once the water is boiling, submerge the broccoli for 2 minutes. Remove and drain in colander.

Place hot broccoli into serving bowl, and lightly drizzle with sesame seed oil, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds, crushed red pepper flakes, and kosher salt and pepper, to taste. Toss to combine, and serve. – Enjoy!


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Tip: I like my vegetables crisp-tender, and this is a fantastic recipe that is quick and easy, but still very flavorful with just the right texture to serve alongside most any main dish!