Recipe: Sour Cream Apple Pie
Here’s another seasonal recipe I wanted to share. It comes from the Silver Palate Cookbook by Julee Rosso & Sheila Lukins, which has many good recipes. This particular recipe, takes a little bit of prep time for the crust, but is well worth it, as it is delicious. I actually made it last weekend for some dinner guests. I saved myself a bit of time however, by using some store-bought crust and… it was still very tasty!
Crust:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 5 tablespoons sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
- 6 tablespoons cold shortening
- 4 to 6 tablespoons apple juice
Filling:
- 2/3 cup sour cream
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 5 or 6 tart apples, peeled and sliced
Topping:
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
1. Prepare crust: Sift flour, sugar, salt, and cinnamon into a bowl. Cut in the butter and shortening with a fork until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Moisten with just enough apple juice, tossing ingredients lightly with a fork. Form dough into a ball. Wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours.
2. Cut off 1/3 of the dough and return it to the refrigerator. Roll out the other 2/3 between 2 sheets of wax paper. Line a greased 9-inch pie pan with the dough. Trim overhang and crimp decoratively. Preheat oven to 350°F.
3. Whisk all filling ingredients, except apples, in a bowl. Add apples, then spoon into the pastry-lined pie pan. Combine topping ingredients and sprinkle over filling.
4. Roll out the remaining dough between wax paper to form a circle 10 inches in diameter. Cut into strips 1/2-inch wide and arrange lattice-fashion over apples; trim ends of strips and crimp edges decoratively.
5. Bake pie in the center of the oven until the juices are bubbling and the apples are tender, about 55-60 minutes. (Cover loosely with foil if the crust browns too quickly.) Serve warm or cooled with whipped cream, or ice cream.
Enjoy!
Barb
Posted in Cooking in your kitchen on November 7th, 2008 by Barb | | 0 Comments
Beautify Your Bath With A Granite Countertop Vanity
If you are thinking of remodeling your bathroom, why not add lasting beauty, by selecting a granite vanity for your home? There are literally hundreds of colors to choose from, and we can custom make your vanity top to your specifications. Granite is both durable, easy to maintain, and adds that touch of elegance.
Please feel free to stop by our showroom to view our samples and stock. There are well over 200 selections here to choose from. Our customer service staff would be glad to help you and answer any questions that you may have in regards to sinks, edges, backsplash options, overhangs, fabricating, installing, etc.
Our hours are Monday - Wednesday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Thursdays 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, and Fridays 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Please call for any other appointment needs.
Thanks for reading!
Barb
Following are some photos of granite vanities that I wanted to share:
Posted in Granite on November 6th, 2008 by Barb | | 0 Comments
Good Grief…Let’s Not Rush It!
Today I was pleasantly surprised when I went outside to walk my dog and felt the warm sunshine and temperature. Us Minnesotan’s revel in these warm Indian summer days, especially in November. The walk was a great way to start the day, and definitely put me in a good mood.
A little later, when I got to work and was preparing to start my work day, I was shocked when I turned on my radio to…Christmas music. I couldn’t believe it! The sun is shining brightly and the temperature is supposed to reach 72 degrees today. I don’t know about you, but the last thing I wanted to hear was Christmas music! Don’t get me wrong, I love the holidays, but why do we need to rush it?
I quickly changed the station and heard a more appropriate, “It’s a beautiful day,” playing. I smiled, and thought, “Now that’s better.” Unfortunately, a political ad came on next, to spoil it again.
Good Lord, why didn’t I bring my ipod?
Well enjoy the sunshine, Christmas music (if you like), and the last day of political ads,…well at least for awhile!
Thanks for reading!
Barb
Posted in Uncategorized on November 3rd, 2008 by Barb | | 0 Comments
Is it November 4th yet?
While I appreciate the fact that we are a free, democratic society, I am so ready for the 2008 election to be over. It is amazing how inundated the TV, radio, news, and mail are with political ads and propaganda. As a matter of fact, I am writing this with the TV on in the background, and I just saw 3 political ads in a row. This week alone I have received phone calls on my cell phone, which I thought was “unlisted”, from four different campaigns doing polls.
With that all said, it is our responsibility and privilege to go out and vote on November 4th. Each of us us responsible for researching the 
candidates and making an informed decision. To find your local polling place and get candidate information contact the League of Women Voters. Get out and do your part to promote the freedoms we have in our country. I hope to see an I Voted sticker on everyone I see on November 4th!
Feel free to share…
Angie
Posted in Uncategorized on October 30th, 2008 by Angie | | 0 Comments
Natural Stone Council Works To Further “Green” Natural Stone
Over the last several years, the green building movement has become a hot topic, as more people realize the necessity to help sustain the environment. The natural stone industry has realized the importance of this movement and is working to further establish natural stone as environmentally friendly. The Natural Stone Council, a group of businesses and trade associations formed to promote the value and use of Genuine Stone, is currently working to better position natural stone in the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system, which was established by the US Green Building Council.
Several steps have already been taken by the Natural Stone Council to promote Genuine Stone as sustainable including, the establishment of an external advisory committee educated about green building issues to help advise the committee. A sustainablility committee has also been established that is made up of various industry members, who will help evaluate the current practices, as well as develop a plan for future sustainable practices within the industry. The Natural Stone Council has also contracted with the Center for Clean Products at the University of Tennessee (UT) to access the whole industry and make environmental improvements to it.
While the stone industry currently qualifies for some LEED points, with the work and research of the Natural Stone Council, the stone industry is confident that Genuine Stone will gain more, and continue to be the material of choice for builders, designers, architects, etc.
For more information on green building, click on the link below:
http://www.marble-institute.com/industryresources/stonegreenbuilding.cfm
Source: Think Natural
Thanks for reading!
Barb
Posted in Granite, Industry News on October 27th, 2008 by Barb | | 0 Comments
