Saturday, September 18, 2010

Peach Cheesecake Pie

I found this recipe in a magazine. The title alone attracted me. I tried it, we loved it, and each year when the fresh peaches are in season I make it at least once.

2 9" pie crusts
4-5 peaches, peeled and sliced
2/3 c. sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
3 tbsp cornstarch
1/4 c. orange juice
1 8 oz pkg cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 c. sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 egg
1 tbsp sugar

  • To sliced peaches add 2/3 c. sugar and cinnamon. Stir cornstarch into orange juice, stir into peaches. Bring to a boil, for 1 minute. Reduce heat to low; simmer until thickened, 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat. Cool at least 20 minutes.
    Preheat oven to 350. Place foil lined baking sheet on middle rack in oven. Place one pie crust in 9" pie pan, trim and flute edges.
    Beat cream cheese and 1/2 c. sugar until fluffy. Beat in 1 egg and vanilla. Spread in crust. Bake on hot sheet until just set, 20 minutes.
  • Top with peach mixture.
  • Cut remaining pie crust into 1/2" wide strips. Arrange in lattice pattern over peach layer, trimming as necessary. Press ends to fluted edge. Beat one egg; brush over down. Sprinkle with 1 Tbsp sugar.
  • Bake on hot baking sheet, 45 minutes or until golden. Cool on rack 3 hours.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Brazilian Beans and Rice

Several years ago we had a wonderful Brazilian exchange student. From her we learned that just like every family in the USA has their recipe for potato salad, every Brazilian family has their version of Brazilian Beans and Rice. This is a basic meal for the average family, similar to Feijoada, which is a more involved bean dish. This is USA version of Vanessa's recipe

Beans:
several slices of bacon, chopped (you can also use sausage, dried beef or pork)
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 small onion, chopped
1/2 green pepper, chopped
1 can black beans with juice
1 cube or tsp beef bullion
1 small tomato peeled and chopped
brown the bacon, add garlic, onion, and green pepper and saute until tender, add beans and bullion, simmer for several minutes. Add tomato and heat through. Serve over rice.

Rice:
1/2 small onion, miniced
1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
1 tbsp oil or butter
1 c rice
2 c water
saute onion and garlic in oil, until tender. Add rice and lightly brown. Add water, cover, turn heat to low and cook about 20 minutes or until done.

Coconut Syrup

We had the opportunity to spend a night at a dear friends cabin. For breakfast we had a super delicious breakfast of bacon, hash browns, and french toast served with fresh fruit, whipped cream and this coconut syrup. Did I mention it was delicious? Thanks VL.

1 cube butter
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. milk or 1/2 & 1/2 or straight cream (she used cream, of course)

Bring to a boil for one minute then add:

1/2 tsp coconut extract
1/2 tsp soda

Stir and remove from heat. Enjoy!

Use a deep pan because it will boil up when the soda is added.