Saturday, January 26, 2013

Custard Pie



Pie Crust Ingredients



Old Fashioned Custard Pie

In an earlier post I mentioned that I have a tradition of putting up a Christmas Tree in the eating area of our kitchen every year decorated with old family recipe cards,  mostly handwritten by my mother.  I try each year to actually make one of those recipes...so this year it was the custard pie! 

So first...the crust.  Making pie crust is not that difficult and well worth the little extra effort.  My mom and grandmother both were great pie makers so how could I escape absorbing a few simple tips and giving it a try myself.  The recipe I use, which makes one 10" pie crust, is this: 

1 1/3 cup flour  1/2 tsp salt  1/2 cup Crisco and 3-4 Tablespoons of cold, really cold water.

Making the Pie Crust


Add the flour and salt to your bowl and mix.  Then add the shortening and cut into the flour mixture until you end up with a crumb mixture.  Then add the water, one tablespoon at a time and mix after each.  Make sure the water is very cold.  I add ice cubes to the water to make sure it is super cold, a great tip for flaky crust!  You may not need all four (4) tablespoons of water.  Just keep adding until it forms a nice ball.  Then roll it out, making sure to keep it in a nice circle.  Keep dusting flour on the dough and on your rolling pin to keep the crust from sticking.  When you feel it is the size you need, roll it over your rolling pin and transfer it to your pie dish.  Trim any extra off but leaving enough to turn under for your edge.  Pinch all around.  Its done!!

Custard Pie Ingredients


Custard pie is one of those old fashioned recipes that is very easy, quick, and made from fresh and simple ingredients.  Eggs, milk, vanilla, sugar, salt, and nutmeg.

4 eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 1/3 cups milk







Beat eggs well, add salt and vanilla.  Slowly beat in sugar and milk.  I did use 2 % milk and it worked fine,  but whole milk would make it richer.  Slowly pour into the pie crust and sprinkle with nutmeg.  Bake at 375 degrees for about 45 min. or until set.  Let it cool to completely set for several hours before serving.




Custard Pie

Enjoy!  And Happy Valentine's Day!!


Saturday, January 19, 2013

Downton Abbey Fashion

Downton Abbey Fashion

I have just discovered Downton Abbey!  I know, hard to believe ( and I didn't think I lived under a rock! ).  So I am just getting acquainted with the characters and the story line....but already love the series.  I am kind of a history nut anyway...so this fits right in.  This Treasury, Downton Abbey Fashion, is just a small collection of great vintage items found on Etsy pertaining to the series.  Enjoy!!

For those of you wanting to get further acquainted with the series here are some great sites to check out:

http://www.downtonabbey.com/

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/downtonabbey/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Downton_Abbey

 

Friday, January 4, 2013

Follow Your Yellow Brick Road

Happy New Year 2013

With 2013 still being pretty new on the scene, there is still time to reflect and determine just what we would like to accomplish this year. 

My List:
#1 Set new goals for my Etsy Shop
#2 Develop several new product lines
#3 Of course...the old standbys that are on the list   every year....eat healthier and exercise.
#4 Continue to work and develop my blog and work on my social media skills.

I think that should keep me pretty busy for the year ( and beyond)!!   Do you have any special goals for this year??  How did your list from 2012 make out??  


To make a small start on one of my goals for this year I developed this new plaque.  Love the saying on this one....this could even be number one on your New Years List.  "Follow your yellow Brick Road"  is the newest listing in my Etsy Shop for 2013. 

Happy New Year everyone!!

New Classroom Decals Do Your Best   http://etsy.me/2vxfK2a Ideas for using these would be to either place them on a classroom door,...