Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Archive for the ‘Entertaining Ideas’ Category

Drizzle on some caramel sauce and enjoy!

Because my dad has never met a pie he hasn’t liked  – I’m sharing this easy pie crust recipe. It is the best ever!

Ingredients for the best pie dough ever!

Combine dry ingredients until coarse and crumbly.

After adding liquid, let the dough rest covered in the fridge for 45 minutes. Then roll out on a well-floured surface.

Ready for a pan.

I was nearly giddy at this point in the game because the crust was so easy to handle. Mine would have been in about 10 pieces of flaky messiness at this point with my old stand-by pie crust recipe.

Here’s what the bottom layer looks like with a beautiful berry filling. Did I mention we made three pies?

And the top crust goes on so easily. Yes, I am a big believer that a little butter is good and another pat or two is even better! There are no finished photos of the berry pie because Miz Sunshine grabbed it hot out of the oven and ran off to pick up little Miss Sunshine!

Vodka Pie Crust

2 1/2 cups  flour

1 tsp. salt

2 tbsp. sugar

1 1/2 sticks cold butter, cut into 1/4 inch slices

1/2 cup vegetable shortening, cut into 4 pieces

1/4 cup cold vodka

1/4 cup cold water

Process 1 1/2 cups flour, salt, and sugar in food processor until combined, about 2 one-second pulses. Add butter and shortening and process until dough just starts to collect in uneven clumps, about 15 seconds (dough will resemble coarse crumbs ). Scrape bowl with rubber spatula and redistribute dough evenly around processor blade. Add remaining cup flour and pulse until mixture is evenly distributed around bowl and mass of dough has been broken up, 4 to 6 quick pulses. Empty mixture into medium bowl.

If, like me, you do not have a food processor, get ready to apply some arm muscle and work the dough together with either a fork or pastry cutter until all flour is mixed in and it is crumbly.

Sprinkle vodka and water over mixture. With rubber spatula, use folding motion to mix, pressing down on dough until dough is slightly tacky and sticks together.  Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 45 minutes or up to 2 days.

Generously flour a clean, flat surface and your rolling pin. Divide dough in half and roll out one half, turning dough over between rolls to keep from sticking to counter or surface. Place in a pie pan and fill with favorite filling or prick with a fork and bake shell until golden brown then fill.

Read Full Post »

merry christmas sage and burgundyWishing you a very Merry Christmas! May it be filled with love, laughter, and many special, magical moments!

And Happy Birthday to my Dad!

Read Full Post »

book cover 1

If you are scrambling to pull things together for holiday entertaining, download Savvy Holiday Entertaining.

Not only is it free, you’ll find some fun ideas for entertaining, preparing for guests, decorations, and simple, tasty recipes!

You can download it from my website, or find it on most book retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Apple and more.

Happy Entertaining!

 

 

Read Full Post »

Boxing Day Buffet Lunch Christmas Tree and Log Fire

If you’re the one Ho-Ho-Hosting Christmas festivities this year, here are a few tips to help you be prepared for your guests.

There is nothing that can send a host into a tailspin faster than running out of some basic necessities right before or during a party. Make a list of what you need well before hand, stock up and then relax.

Preparation makes entertaining so much more simple and enjoyable!

Some things to be sure you are well stocked on:

Napkins

Paper Towels

Toilet Paper

Facial Tissues

Aluminum Foil

Plastic Wrap

Garbage Bags

Baking Soda (works well for so many things from neutralizing orders to shining the stainless faucets)

Bleach Wipes (you know someone is going to show up sick and these are a quick and handy way to keep things wiped down and as clean as possible)

Milk and Eggs

Ice

Club Soda (mix it with any type of juice for automatic punch! It is also great for removing stains, polishing jewelry and glass, and settling upset stomachs!)

Munchies (people arrive hungry and get hungrier with all the great smells coming from the kitchen. Have an ample supply of munchies like veggie trays, crackers and cheese on hand.)

Games (if children are in the mix, have a few easy to play games ready. Coloring books and crayons are also a great diversion.)

Last-minute Gifts (keep a few generic gifts on hand wrapped and ready for giving. You never know when you are going to need one. It can be something simple like candles or lotion sets for women and candy, a book or a car-related item – think furry mitt with ice scraper attached – for the guys.)

Read Full Post »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »